New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-09-15
Doubtful States. "

As illustrating the fearful and wonder
full political information which is being
passed off on an unsuspecting public we
quote this interesting judgment from the
rews columns of "The Evening Sun" de-
lvered by a writer supposed to be in touch
with Republican national headquarters:
Two distinct results have followed the Re-
publican victory of last Monday IN Name
One has been TO evoke decision on the part
of the Republican campaign committee TO
confne its attentions in the future principally
to the states having the larger electoral vote
and which are believed to be good fighting
ground The other states are not 10 be neg
lccted. but. viewing the result in Maine as an
indication that the Progressive vote will be
found in the Republican column, 1t has been
decided TO concentrate efforts on such states
as California, Ohio. Michigan, Illinois, Ind
lana. Missouri and New York.
Now, if this means anything it means
that the states thus grouped together are
good fighting ground" because something
more than a practically complete reunion
of the Republican and Progressive voters
will be required to carry them. But that
assumption holds good in the case of only
single one of these seven states--Mis-
souri,.
Accepting Names verdict as 10 the sue
cess of the Repubican-Pr Progressive unfit
cation the other six states should be safely
Republican next November.
Let us look at the figures. In Missouri
in 1912 Mr. Wilson's vote was 330,7l6.
The combined Taft and Roosevelt vote was
332.192. Taft carried Missouri in 1908
by 629 plurality. But in 1914 William j.
Stone Democrat, got 81 ,573 votes, against
total of 28527O for his Republican and
Progressive opponents. On this showing
Missouri might be properly classed as
good fighting ground" for the Repub
licans. They have an outside chance to
win, but hardly anything better.
Now take the other states In 1912
California gave Roosevelt eleven electoral
votes and Wilson two. The Republicans
were unable TO get the names of Taft cleo
tors printed on the official ballot. In re-
venge probably from $4,000 to 100000
Republican voters shifted to Wilson.
Roosevelts top vote was 283,610, Wilson's
283,436. Taft got 3,9l4 votes. On this
abnormal showing California might be
called an extremely close state. But in
1914. when the Republicans had a ticket
in the field, normal party alignments were
again disclosed. Phelan, Democrat. was
elected United States Senator, getting
279, 1876 votes. His Progressive opponent
got 255,232, and his Republican opponent
|254,159. Their combined vote was 229.-
495 greater than his. Johnson, the Pro-
gressive candidate for Governor, got AGO.
495 votes, the Republican candidate 27l,
900 and the Democratic candidate only
I1l6,12l. Governor Johnson is now run
ming as the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS candi-
date for United States Senator. Mr.. vii
sons cause is absolutely hopeless this year
in California.
IN Ohio the Democratic vote for Presi-
dent in 1912 was 424,s34. But the vote
for Roosevelt and Taft combined was 507,-
I97' u 1914 a Republican Governor was
eieeced lie received 24,s25 votes and the
Progressive candidate received 60,9T.
Governor Cox, running for reelection, got
only 493 1857. To win in Ohio Mr.. Wilson
WI have 10 get not 10 or 20 or 80 per