New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-11-07
Hillquit Sees Blow
To Militarism in
Big Socialist Vote
Defeated Candidate Asserts
His Party Must Now Be
Reckoned With

Morris Hillquit, at his nome, PA
Riverside Drive, last night said:
From present indications the Social
lists will probably elect several Assem-
tlymen and as many Aldermen in
this city.
Personally l am higaly gratifed
with the results. There has been
shown an increase of the Socialist vote
of, should estimate, 500 per cent, and
u has established the Socialist party
as an important and prominent factor
in the politics of the city.
"The returns from other places in
the state and from other states indicate
that the socialistic wave is general
throughout the country where elections
have been held.
THE outstanding feature Of our own
campaign, as II appears to me, is not
the election of Judge Hylan, If he Is
elected, for there have been Tammany
victories before, but the crushing de-
feat of Mayor Mitchell and the tremen-
6ous Socialist gain. Mayor Mitchell
ran on a platform Of militarism, both
in his conception Of democracy and the
war policy. He had the great advan-
tage Of being the incumbent in Office,
the prestige Of the tremendous vote he
polled four years ago, the support OF
practically every daily paper in the
city as well as the support OF the
strongest man In what, for lack Of q
better term, | should call Americas
war party, and he had unlimited cam
paIgn funds.
with all that be seems to have lost
more than half Of his vote Of four
years ago. He has deliberately made
the issue upon his own brand Of ire
eating patriotism and upon the issue Of
aggressive continuance Of the war TO q
finish. The citizens Of New York have
repudisted that policy in no uncertain
manner.
Socialists, on the other hand, have
made their campaign, to a large ex-
tent, on the issues Of democracy and
speedy world peace. The unprecedent-
ed and striking vote we have recorded,
in the face of the embittered opposl-
ton on the part Of the press, and all
agencies Of expression Of public opin-
ion and in the face Of all other handi-
caps, including an inadequate organiza-
ton and insufficient funds, clearly indi-
Gates that our programme has struck
a responsive chord in the hearts Of the
great masses of the people. The eco
nomic promise Of socialism has no
doubt also played a large part in the
rolling up Of the Socialist vote.
We expect 10 continue the work Of
public agitation right along with in
creased intensity. Socialism will here
after be reckoned as a potent factor in
the public life Of this country, and 1t
will be a purifying and salutary factor
in politics and the social policies OF
the country. The Socialist men who
have been elected will strive for labor
ard social legislation and the democra-
tization of political forms.
1--WE Socialists take credit in large
measure for the passage Of the wom-
an suffrage amendment. From all in
d;rations the Socialist vote in the state
viii exceed 100000 and all OF these
we're likewise cast for suffrage. Fur
,bermore, our campaign, with It's social
srd progressive background, has visi-
NV affected sentiment In favor Of
woman suffrage generally. That alone
!. N course, a great achievement"