The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-08-22
Vote There Used as Barometer
TO Show Trend of Sentiment.
BOTH PARTIES WORK HARD.
Tradition Has IL That Unless Repub-
leans Carry Pine Tree State by TO-
600 Majority the Country Will Go
Democratic-Some Figures on Past
Elections.


Bryan and Theodore Roosevelt came
to disturb all political conditions. the
state of Maine was regarded as n po
litical barometer.
In those days 1t was said that IL the
Republican plurality In the September
election fell below 10000 the country
was going Democratic. This state
ment had a few exceptions-as, for in
stance, In 1880 the Republicans lost the
state by less than 1000 votes In a flu
sion campaign, yet Garfield was elected
president. But upon the whole Maine
has been considered a guide for the
greater battle each presidential year.
No doubt that accounts for the con
test that Is In progress In that state
and the efforts OF both parties to make
the best possible showing.
A Look at the Figures.
The Democrats and Greenbackers
fused I'm 1880, with the result stated.
In 1884 the Republican plurality was
10. 700, and the Republicans lost the
national election by the closest vote In
recent times. la 1883 the Republican
majority for governor was 1869, and
Harrison defeated Cleveland by a close
vote In the national election. In 1892
the Republican majority was 1881.
and Cleveland easily defeated Harri-
son. In 1896, 1900 and 1904 the Re
publican majorities for governor rang
ed from $4,000 to $4,000, and the Re
publicans won I'm November. In 1903
the plurality for governor was only
1863. yet Taft was elected by a large
majority. In 1912 the Republicans
elected their governor by the narrow
margin OF 1896. and the Republicans
lost the presidency. Two years later,
with a Progressive candidate, the Dem
ocrats had a plurality of 5000.
Bold Tom Of Indiana.
How those old senators hated it! /
refer TO the speech of Thomas Tag
CART. a comparatively new senator
from Indiana. AS a rule, the older
senator's think II Is decidedly presump-
tuous for a new senator to give his
views at any time, but when he enters
upon a severe criticism of senatorial
methods. attacks senatorial pork" aud
criticises wasteful extravaganza, why,
that Is going much too far,
Tom Taggart told the senate some
truths and backed up his statements
with facts and figures. 1t was IA bold
thing TO do, attacking the pork barrel,
but 1t may help Taggart In Indiana.
s~enatorisi Prophecy.
During his speech against the child
labor bill Senator Hardwick of Geor-
gia, commenting on the fact that there
was no plank for such legislation In
the Baltimore platform, a basis of the
great victory of 1912, said:
I'VE are nov going into another
campaign, which l hope We will win.
But that is prophecy"
And dangerous prophecy" remark
ed Senator Borah OF Idaho.
Il don't know about that" replied
Hardwick. 1T looks to me as If we
have been gaining on you recently, as
near as | can guess"
Quoting the President.
In the last vain efforts to prevent
large appropriations for the army and
navy Democrats In both houses quoted
from President Wilson's message to
congress In December, 1914, as posi-
tive proof hat the country was well
prepared before entering upon such a
large military and naval program.
Dangerous Alliances.
The propaganda goes on for interna-
tional alliances for peace. Efforts are
being made to set the stage for the
United States TO lead In a movement
for an international court and become
a party with other nations to enforce
Its DEGREES.
LII France had not been an ally of
Russia the great European slaughter
might have been averted. Ii Japan
had not been an ally Of England one
less country would have been engaged
In the war. IL Germany had net been
an ally Of Austria there need have
been no war. At least the countries
that made the wal so monstrous need
not have been drawn into It unless
they wanted war.
wa oCOASC lon WIZ
4 warned his people to beware Of EN-
: tangling foreign alliances.
e Hardwick's Severe Charges.
, Senator Hardwick was speaking
( earnestly against the manner In which
. his party associates were sacrificing
! the rights OF states.
Il have been attempting" interrupt
. ed Works Of California, Ito defend the
: southern states against the encroach
: ments OF the federal government evei
. since l have been here. They have
been absolutely giving away, selling
their rights, for money to come out oil
; the national treasury"
Yes, SIR" replied the Georgia sen
/ ator; "they have sometimes, / an
ashamed to say, sold their birthright
for q mess Of pottage. and most otter
they did not get the pottAge."