The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-10-04

 GETTING READY FOR ELECTION

Washington, Oct 1-The great bi- ennial "drive" in American politics this congressional electtons-is now impending.
 September marks the conclusion of state primary elections and nominat- ing conventions, leaving their train of llama ducks and other political crip- ples. Leaders of all parties, now are marshalling their forces for the cam paign which precedes election day in November.
 The lines of battle, already are fair ly well defined. Upon the results of the balloting depends political con- trol of the Sixty-ninth Congress, which, convenes fin December, 1919, unless sooner summoned by President Wilson. Dependent upon the returns are thea fates of aspirants for nearly two score seats in the Senate and 4S5 in the House.
 Like the presidential election of .1916, when California's votes, after weeks wait, finally determined the nations President, the congressional result, according to private statements of prominent Republicans and Demo crats in Washington, is expected to be close. The Democrats now have 52 Senators against A Republicans, while in the House tho respective strength is 216 and POS. Seats of all of the latter are involved in the pres ent campaign, while twenty-one Dem ocratic and fifteen Republican Senate seats are at stake.
 For all practical purposes, the cleo tion is over in a number of states, in the "solid south" where nomination on the Democratic ticket is equivalent to election. Primaries and conven- tions in these states, however, all though changing present personnel in Senate and House from several states have not affected the final result. For some Republicans, without opposition, the primaries also have meant cer- tain election in November; these also do not change present 1ine-ups in Congress, incumbents being named for reelection
 | Already, however, the primaries have resulted in defeat of many pres ent members of Congress Among them are Senators Vardaman of Mis- sissippi and Hardwick of Georgia, Democrats who were opposed by | President Wilson, and the following representatives: McLemore, Slayden and Garrett of Texas; Shackleford and Borland of Missouri, Woods of Iowa and others.
 Missing from their present places l also will be found others who are not seeking reelection, or House mem bers who have foregone renommauon to seek election to the Senate. Among them are Senators Smith of Michigan, Republican; Hollis of New Hamp- shore, Democrat; and Representatives Mccormick and Foss of Illinois, Re- publicans; Howard of Georgia, Demo cratfR Church of California, Demo- crat; and Caleb Powers of Kentucky, Republican.
 On the other hand most of the rep lresentatives from the southern Demo- cratic states have been assured of re- election to the Sixty-ninth Congress by virtue of their primary nomination.
 In this election for the first time, women are seeking seats in the Sen ate. Representative Jeanette Rankin of Montana is seeking election from her state while Anne Martin of the Woman's Party is 8 senatorial candi- date in Nevada New York also has a woman candidate for Congress.
 Socialist, prohibition and other parties also have their candidates in the present campaign.