The evening Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1918-1920, 1918-11-05
ELECTION RETURNS
AWAITED WITH
MUCH INTEREST
Complexion of House and
Senate May Be
Changed
WOMEN CANDIDATES
FOR u. S. SENATE
New Hampshire One of the
Close States

Washington, Nov. 5-MilllonS OF
Americans today are casting their
ballots in elections which will decide
whether the Democratic party is to
retain control of Congress; in many
states they are electing governors and
in practically all states are electing
local officers.
Today's election, the first since the
United States went into the war,
comes as the climax of a campaign
which has been attended by many nn-
usual elements. The allied successes
in France, the German peace often
sive, the Fourth Liberty Loan cam
paign and the influenza epidemic all
have divided the attention to the
public at the same time.
Leaders of Democrats and Repub-
licans-have declared they are con-
fidcnt of success in today's battle of
ballots. Those of the lesser organi-
Zation also are hopeful of gains.
Being elected today, in the contest
for control Of the next Congress, are
all ABS members of the House of
Representative from all states of the
Union except Maine, whose elections
were held last September as well as
forty United States Senators in 33
states.
The outcome generally is regarded
as close. Representatives in the low
CT body, delegates from the four ter
rito1ies-Alaska, Hawaii, the Philip
pines and Porto Rico-also arc to be
chosen, although they have no votes.
How close is the contest for control
of Congress is apparent from the pre-
sent lineup in the House and Sen
ate. The membership of the House
now is: Democrats, 215; Republi-
cans, 209; Progressives, 2; Indenen-
dents, 2; Prohibitionists, l. socialists,
1; five seats vacant,-total 435.
There are 81 Democrats and Al
Republicans now in the Senate.
The principal Democratic argument
of the campaign had been that Pre-
sident Wilson should have a Con-
gress of his own political faith to in
sure cooperation. This the Republi-
cans spokesmen have opposed with
the argument that Republicans in
Congress have Loyalty supported ad-
ministration measures needful for the
war, and that Republicans should be
elected to deal with important after
the-war reconstruction problems.
In today's balloting, particularly ir
the southern states where Dcmocra
tic nomination is equivalent to cleo
ton, the elections really are forna
ratifcations Of nominations already
made. About 100 Democratic anC
80 Republican candidates for The
House and a dozen Democratic 'ca1,
didates for the Senate already ar
virtually elected. The latter include
Senators Bankhead of Alabama Rob
insOn of Arkansas, Ransdell of Lou
isana, Simons of North Carolina
Sheppard of Texas, and Martin O
Virginia Also in the same statu
are w. J. Harris, nominated to sue
cced Senator Hardwick of Georgia
Representative Pat Harrison, nomi
mated to succeed Senator Vardamal
of Mississippi, Edward J. Gay o
louisiana, for the unexpired term o
the late Senator Broussard, and n
B. Dial and w. P. Pollock of Sout
Carolina, for the long and short term
respectively, for the seat held by tn
late Senator Tillman.
All of these are without Republi
can opponents except Senator Sim
OnS.
Virtually all the Democratic car
didatcs for the House in the souther
states, and also score of Republica
candidates in northern and wester
states, are without opposition. Cor
tests in many other congressional an
senatorial districts also are regarde
perfunctory, with nominal oppositio
being made.
Chief interest in todays results
centered in contests for House seat
principally in Ohio, Indiana, Wiscor
sin, Nebraska, Kansas, Californi;
New Jersey and a few districts j
New York and New England. Mas!
achusetts, Nevada, Montana and Wy
Oming.
Democratic leaders have weighe
their campaign especially to max
gains in the Senate from Michigan
where Henry Ford, the millionail
manufacturer, is opposing Truman T
Newberry, former assistant secretaI
of the navy; from New Hampshir
where Senator Hollis, Democrat,
retiring and where a successor to ii
late Senator Gallinger, Republica
Senate leader, also is to be elected
from Rhode Island, where Senate
Colt, Republican, is opposed by R
preventative O'Shanessay; from Ne
raska, where Senator Norris, Repul
lican, is opposed by former Governt
Morehead, and from Idaho, whei
Senator Borah, Republican, is beir