The Washington herald., 1918-05-24

He pOlillCdi put ID DOllinB-lO
use a time-bedecked phrase-and
members of both political parties
are looking ahead to the fall cleo
tions.
The situation Is puzzling because
1t is more different than it has been at
any other time in the history Of
the country. The "out" party, the
Republicans, really face diff
fcult position. They have no real
issue, so their leaders admit in pri-
vate, and they do not know that
anything will come up which they
can make an issue.
On the other hand the Democrats
have no real issue to lay before the
people upon which they can claim
that support of the administration
in the war must come from Demo-
Gratis, but this involves rather a far
cry when the constant cry other
wise is for ponpartisanship. The
Republicans have been patriotic.
too. and they have given their boys
and their dollars for the battles we
are waging. To claim that no one
but Democrats should be seated
here, some of the Republican lead
ers think, would be presupposing
that the people could not and would
not trust the Republicans with
prosecuting an effective war against
the Germans.
In addition to this phase. which
produces considerable lethargy and
some confusion. there is the addi-
I'D haf hnN q tnV
parties are waning and that the
take the place OF one or both of
them, is on its way. This is not
expected to have a determining in
fiuence on the election this year,
Of course, but It will have slight
influence and the politicians are
fearful lest IL will gain rather
precipitately IL it encounters even
slight success this year.
Many of the political magicians are
wondering what attitude the White
House will assume throughout the
campaign. They feel that with the
general conditions SO uncertain the
stand Of the Executive might be a
potent power and that If he chose to
evince decided interest in the falls
lie COulu nelp his party
considerably. There are some Of the
Republicans who hope he will con-
tinue the start he made in Wiscon-
sin-for they think that course was
helpful only to their party. And there
are Democrats, who want to see both
Houses of Congress remain in their
control, who feel that he should
change that course markedly. They
rant1xy tn % a
stand he took in Wisconsin and they
in other States this fall the election
of a larger number Of Democrats than
usual would be seriously endangered.
Such Democrats naturally want him
to change his course. They want him
to use his influence, but not in that
manner.
The Republicans appear to be maxi
ing certain steps toward nonpartisan-
ship. They want the elections put
on nonpartisan basis-that Is, they
want no one to oppose a Republican
merely because he belongs to their
party. and they do not want Demo-
Gratis elected just because they are
Democrats. In other words, to them,
1t will be satisfactory IL no party
lines prevailed so long as Republicans
were selected for the places. This is
one Of the apparent, natural outcomes
Of nonpartisanship-and the same re-
suits can be traced in other States
where the nonpartisan movements
along different lines have had their
birth.
The people Ithemselves-to view the
oncoming campaign from their angle
ARE not greatly perturbed over par
ties. They want the war prosecuted
with efficiency and with spirit that
will bring it to an end as quickly as
possible.
They are not anxious to continue
ct war. but they will not be detected
from their purpose which is to rout
German militarism from its strong
hold and to make It safe for nations
generally to enjoy freedom from pos
sible invasion by the Germanistic in
fiuence, Until that end Ia secured the
American people will not be satisfied
hence, in the field of partisan poll
tics and Of politics generally there IL
little the people can become interested
In. 30 far as we can see. They are 60
ing to choose their candidates accord
ing to loyalty and ability and precious
little else will count, II we know the
people as we think we do. .
Now that Congress has virtually de-
cided to accept the dictum Of secre-
tary McAdoo and proceed into the
revenue matter there are certain fun
damentals which the membsrs should