The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1918-03-14

muitVI rupHc i<eukrI' MAJ rs 4
The recent election in the four Con-.
eressional districts OF Greater New
York City, has seemingly transported
some Of the excitable element Of the
Democrat party to the mountain-top
Of rejoicing. Were they only encour-l
aged by the saner and more conser-
vative element OF the party, their
hallelujahs would make the Welkin
ring. We fail to see where the mater
ial come from to manufacture all this
enthusiasm, however, certain party
leaders of the unterihed, see in this
recent election a vision OF coming
victory that will give them control Of
both the House and Senate this fall.
One would suppose their enthu-
siasm would be cooled, when they
were assured by an unwavering faith,
that victory would again perch on
their banner this fall. However such
Is not the case, tho vision grows
brighter, and as 1t grows brighter II
expands, until 1t leaps with mighty
stride. days, months, and years, and
in the good year Of 1920 they sweep
the country, and plant their victorious
banner amid the plaudits of the world
upon the capitol of our country. What
Is there In this recent New York elec-
ton that indicates an unbroken march
of success? What are they basing
their opinions on that assures them
success not only this fall but also in
1920? Let us carefully investigate
this recent election and see whether
or not it warrents the claims Of these
over enthusiastic gentlemen. We
must first consider that three Of these
congressional districts in which this
victory was so valiantly won, are
democratic strong holds, and indeed II
would have been phenomenal had the
majority been anything else but dem
ocratic. The fourth COMPRESSION dis
trict is considered close, and could
be carried by either party with thor
ough organization. This being true,
what ground is there for such extrav-
agant claims? Can we justify those
claims, that from the simple fact that
democratic majorities that 1t insures
the success of the party for years to
come?
The Democratic party may hold the
reigns of government for years, but
to base an opinion, that it will do so,
on such fiimsey evidence, is the
merest political bunk, and is not con-
Cured in by the more sane and con-
sentative element of the party. There
is strong intimation eminating from
this hallelujah element of the recent
election saved the day for the Demo-
cratic party, and their vote was not
only an Endorsement of Mr.. Wilson's
but also vote of
gratitude for what he did for them in
their fight for equal suffrage. We
have no doubt but what the women Of
New York are doing all they can tc
assist the President in winning the
war, just as the patriotic women of
other states are doing, but to insin-
uate that Mr.. Wilson or the Demo-
crat party is responsible for equal
suffrage in the Empire State, can only
be looked upon as a big leak in the
Democratic political gas bag. Equal
suffrage in New York Is not indebted |
to either the Democrat or Republic
can parties, 1t was purely socialist !
victory In 1915 the state of New
York defeated equal suffrage by ma
jority Of 100000, and in 1917 public '
opinion swings one hundred thousand
The other way.
Was either Of the old liAe parties
responsible for this sudden and re-
change? In 1917 Morris
Hillquit, Socialist candidate for May
mr. NJ tho Citv nj New Yorb middle Tho