Evening star., 1916-01-01
POLITICS..

.. The most notable feature of national
politics during the year was the return
to the republican party of probably
more than one-half of the men who de-
serted it in 1912 to support the nom
inee of the progressive party for Presi-
dent. With the coming back of this
large force of voters the republican
party again became Il militant force in
politics. In about one-half of the
northern states the progressive party
as an organized force disappeared en-
tirely. The reunion became so effective
during the year that 1916 approaches
with every prospect of an old time con-
publican and the democratic parties.
The process of cementing the opposi-
tion to the democratic party continued
uninterruptedly throughout 1915.
Naturally the rsjuvenation of the re-
publican party early in the year
brought forward large number of
aspirants for the 1916 republican nom
ination for President Yet the old year
comes to an end without either of the
numerous candidates having a distinct
advantage over his fellow candidates
The elections that took place. though
they were comparatively few in num-
Der, resulted to the advantage of the
republicans, especially in Massachu
setts.
The democrats most everywhere
polled about as many votes as they did
in 1912, but with a reunited republican
party she republican vote was brought
back to normal figure This outcome
gave the republicans additional encour-
agement to prepare for the 1916 pr.esi-
Dental campaign.
The year brought forward as actual or
possible candidates for the republican
nomination for President Theodore E.
Burton of Ohio. John W: Weeks of Mas
sachusetts, Charles W. Fairbanks of In
diana, Albert B. Cummins of Iowa. James
r. Mann of Illinois. William E. Borah
of Idaho. Elihu Root of New York, Will
liam Alden Smith of Michigan, Law
renee G. Sherman of Illinois Charles Z.
Knox of Pennsylvania.
During the year none Of these possible
candidates did more than TO attempt to
establish preliminary organization. So
the new year comes on with the re-
publican pre-convention contest very
much up in the air.
AS for the democratic party, il became
evident early that il would renominate
Woodrow Wilson for President. The year
passed out without President Wilson Civ
ing any indication directly that he de-
sired renominatf on. but the party ap
parently realized. and continued TO cling
to this realization, that ii must re-
nominate him.
Indeed. the impression became well
grounded among democrats that he was
the partyS only hope.
AS is always the case with the party
in power, the democrats had 10 deal with
a good many local dissensions during the
year. The administration was not with
out complaints that a good many re-
publicans still remained in Office, and
that not enough attention was being de-
voted TO what is known as practical
politics."
In spite OF the murmurngs that went
on in the democratic party. the President.
SO far as could be judged. continued to
hold the good opinion of his country
men. Undoubtedly. in the opinion of
politicians. he strengthened himself dur
ing the year by his course in exerting
every effort to keep the United States
out of the European war and at the
same time preserve the honor of his
country.