Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-06-08
Behind The "Ticket-SpIittin9"


emphati raIlN with the following editorial comment
which w. had made the day after election
Ferns persona vote getting ability with his own
people and not a few others; the drive made by
Rose knitting" that Lane received at the hands OF
socaled Republicans the chief factors in Lane
defeat 1t rs a defeat be regretted but it was not
due TO the independent votefor-efhciency movement
and of distortion make IT look IKE that
Fern had the benefit solid Democratic vote
coupled with his personal popularity among the Ha
Waiian voters and this potential strength turned
into actual ballots the polls by the Democratic pre-
cinct organization and Sheriff Roses fastworking
corps OF Hcutenants and their fleet OF automobiles
OF course it is obvious as the writer of the letter
insists that 'ticketsptting beat Lane but the
cket-sptting was merely the tangible result, not
the cause. The ticketsplitting was the demonstra
ton on the ballot of something that happened be
fore the voter went into the booth.
1t is what happened before the vote was cast that
the Star Bulletin points to the cause Of Lanes de
feat Some Of the factors we're these:
Failure of the Republican organization to realize
Ferns strength and concentrate for two or three
days before election on making Lane safe
Failure of the Republican organization to under
stand the danger to Lane that lay in Joe Cohen's
bitterness and hostility the apathy and disa6ecton
charged up to John Wise, and the other elements
that went into the open knitting" of Lane on cleo
ton day.
Lack Of organized forces on election day. The
Star. Bulletin knows from direct statements by Re
publican and Democratic precinct workers that the
Bourbon preparations for getting out the vote on
election day put the G. o. P. Gin the shade" The
Democrats had a splendid, rapd.fre organization.
They were much better supplied with party whips
autos and precinct workers, and also with money.
AT least there appear to have been many more cleo
tionday paid workers boosting for the Democratic
than for the Republican ticket.
Republicans now are ruefuy frank in admitting
that they thought Lane safe and did not put the
"punch" into their election-day efforts that should
have been put there. Take, for instance, the elev
enth precinct of the fifth district. At o'clock,
when the polls opened, two big autos loaded with
voters were waiting. The moment the voting booth
was opened, the voters crowded in. They had been
brought in Democratic machines, with shouting and
singing and they voted the Democratic ticket. The
Democrats were off to a flying start and word was
sent throughout the fifth district that Honolulu was
1going Democratic" by big vote, Meanwhile al
Republican worker. tells the Star Bulletin, not al
Republican auto was in sight to help out Lane and
the workers were very few. In that precinct little
feparation was made to carry the voters to the
polls. And the eleventh went for Fern by 332 to
l9l, against 291 for Lane and 2O6 for Fern at the
last election. ~x
The story of the day was similar in many other
precincts.
What effort was there made by the Republicans to
hold the Cohen vote for Lane? What effort was
there made to concentrate upon the followers or
other disafected Republicans?
Attention to such points is practical politics, and
the Democrats played practical politics on Tuesday
Within the week before election-day, Fern shook
hands and talked with thousands of voters between
Moanalua and Diamond Head. He had the benefit
of Sheriff Roses well-knit personal machine and
the "drve" for Rose unquestionably helped to pull
Fern along.
] Election afteEInaths, explanations and excuses
are usually of little profit except to show the cam
paign organizations where they made mistakes.
"Alibs" are not Interesting to the general public
and this comment above is not given an "alibi.
1t is given to elnphasize plainly that Lane could
have been elected hast Tuesday had more attention
been given to the details of practical politics-en
tirely Legitimate attention. Republican leaders
know this. Those who actively out in the pre-
cincts know that the vote-foreficiency argument
did not help Fern, He was helped by the fractional
bitterness and the mistakes on the other side-a
situation of which he and the Democratic organiza
ton took quick advantage.
& The writer of the letter referred to above said
also: ~
"The Star Bulletins vote for efficiency propa
ganda was addressed to the white voters-prmarly
those of the fourth district"
Il This is, we are sure correspondent will admit
upon little reflection, mistaken Interpretation !
of our attitude. The Star Bulletin addressed its
syoteforef1ciency arguments to every voter on the
island, white and otherwise, fifth district as we'll
as fourth district. Had the Republican organiza
ton handled it's forces election day with little
more thOroughness and vigor, there is no question