Evening star., 1916-08-23
REPUBLICANS CLAIM
SUPPORT OF MAJORITY
Democrats Believe, However, That
National Policies, Kindred to
Those of State, Will Win.
BY N. o. MESSENGER.

PlllildIlcS, u Ue lielu august ~,
about 10000 of them refrained
from declaring their party affilia
ton. Exercise of this option on
non-dec1aration puts them in posi-
ton to vote at the polls in Novem-
Der for democratic or republican
candidates, as they see fit.
The number was 100000 at the out
set. but the frantic appeals of party
managers induced about 10000 to sign
up.
This great non-declared vote. repre-
senting the Independent, silent, thought
full political sentiment of the state. is
sufficient to hold the balance Of power
between the two parties. 1t hangs
heavy over the head of the party
leaders.
Who Is to Get This vote.
Who is to get it? The republicans
claim that four -fifths of the monde
clared vote is republican. The demo-
Gratis base most of their hope of VIC
lOTy upon Ine dSSu1lpIiOn lHdI ln6
figures represent men who are wed to
no party, bound to no candidate per Sc,
but on election day will vote for the
candidate and party whose principles
and acts more nearly meet their views
and demands.
fight over the United States senator
ship, or rather the fight against Hiram
Johnson, enters upon its second and
crucial stage, it would be folly to at
tempt to forecast the course which the
electorate of California will pursue
in November.
1t is feasible, however, to describe
conditions as they exist, speak of the
aims and hopes Of the parties and pick
out the lines of battle, which details
rent national politics.
Democratic Viewpoint.
Gavin McNab. one of the brainiest
and most resourceful Of the democratic
leaders in the state, summed up the
democratic expectations to The Stars
correspondent, as follows:
"Californians are thinkers and are
thinking deeply. regardless of afore-
time party affiliations. They are think
ing of the humanities above and be-
yond discarded fetiches of party wor-
ship. Democrats hold that it is reason
able to expect the voters to recognize
that President Wilson and the demo-
cratic administration represent nation
ally the things they have stood for in
their own state and which constitute
child labor legislation, workmen's COM
pensation and other things.
Inc democratic administration has
matched state demands with national
legislation.
The democrats have reasons to de-
pend upon the support of the bulk of
the labor vote for their national candi-
date.
They expect that the majority of the
vote, which will be cast for
the presidency for the first time this
tall, will stand by the President for
keeping their sons and brothers out of
war;"
Basis of Republican Hope.
The republican hope of victory is
in a symposium OF opinions of
'epublican leaders. 1t might be stated
n a sentence-return to form. 1t is
that California is normally
state by 100000, which ma
ority has been split and diverted by
actionalism that now they believe will
De 80 per cent healed in November
1t is contended California is essen
tally a protective tariff state and the
noosery is submerged. They deny that
he woman's vote will be swayed by
emotional sentiment alone, but will take
! broader scope.
The republicans declare that in re-
,ent successive contests at the pri-
naries they have demonstrated that the
'epublican vote of the state is return
ng to form and that in national elec-
ion, with the choice being restricted to
/ democratic or a republican presiden-
ial candidate, progressives and regu-
ars alike will support the republican
ticket.
These arguments have reference to
he presidential contest as differenti-
ted from the factional fight over the
That, as explained in a
previous dispatch, is a struggle for con-
rol of the state organization, and as
means thereto involves the victory or
Iefeat of Hiram Johnson for the nomi-
lation.
AS Hiram johnson and Chester Rowell
ire committed to the support Of Hughes,
republicans believe that after the pri- |
naries have determined the nomination
he presidential ticket will command sup
,ort upon its merit as a republican ticket
appealing to all republicans.
Johnson will make a close run for the |
senatorial nomination. To begin with, he |
las the party organization and his ma |
hine is acknowledged to be one of the |
,est of the kind. He is a wonderful cam
,aigner himself and is making a whirl- |
Wind campaign.
Still Will Be Candidate.
Rear in mind that even IL he should not