Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1918-11-01
New York World Sees the Iiaht

New York World Sees the Lisht
Many Democrats Of the rank and file
are openly voicing their disapproval
Of President Wilson's blunder in re-
converting partisan politics on the eve
of election. Many leading Demo-
cratic papers are mum as the famed
songless oyster. Others are lamely
attempting to defend the Presidents
folly; while some Of them are frank
ly telling their readers that the
Presidents mote" to voters was I'M
called for. disloyal to the Republicans
VIII, have stood by him from the day
war was declared, and the note itself
the best reason in the world why
such a partisan executive should not
be trusted with power.
The New York World, thick and
thin Wilson supporter. and defender
Of his leadership Of the Democratic
party, has seen the folly Of jumping
into the same hole with the Presi-
Dental politician this time. 1t has
been the personal organ of the ad-
ministration. 1t has accepted and
embalmed the Wilson assumption
that this war is a personal and pri-
va.e Wilsonian affair to be conduct
ed by him through the organization
Of the Democratic party.
But at last the World has had to
break away to save it's own reputa-
ton. 1t admits the facts and plainly
says:
"If by their votes next Tuesday the
American people express a purpose
to be represented at Washington dur
ing the ensuing two years by Re.
publican Congress, we should say
that their determination was based
not upon any WEAKNESS Of the war,
not upon any lack Of faith in the
President and not upon any approval
Of Rooseveltism and reaction in the
interest Of trusts and monopolies, but
upon certain we'll grounded objee-
tons to the performances Of the pres
ent Democratic Congress-"
The World praises the Congress as
the most non partisan ever in opera
ton, admits that the Republicans as
a body have loyalty supported the
President, declares it would not be
surprising if the Republicans OBJ
tanned a majority in the next House.
and concludes that it has no fear of
a Republican Congress.
The Worlds lengthy editorial re-
nunciation in part reads:
when this Congress met, a year
ago last March. the House Of Repre-
| sentativeS was so evenly divided po-
litically that its organization be-
came a personal rather than a party
matter. If Mr.. Mann could have
commanded the votes Of all Republic
cans and independents Of Republic
can leanings. he and not Mr.. Clark
would have been Speaker. In spite
Of several deaths and designations,
the party division remains So close to
this day that if Republicans were
disposed to take advantage of absen-
teeism they might easily control at
fairs.
| considering the fact that the great
majority Of Republicans and Demo-
Gratis in both branches have sustained
the Administration in all its war
measures, the necessity for the re-
election Of a Democratic Congress as
such and solely for the purpose of
war is not apparent. 1t is true that
a Republican Congress bent and
twisted by Theodore Roosevelt and
the patriots Of protection and privi-
lege. determined upon an economic
war after the peace. would be a ca
lamity. but a Republican Congress
generously inspired need not excite
apprehension.
For example, if such a thing were
PooSAOASS WIN SiOulu care IL IdltnIul
Republicans were elected as success
| sor to Kitchin of North Carolina, Van
Dyke Of Minnesota, Randall Of CAL
ifornia and Huddleston and Dent of
Alabama? Randall is a Democratic
pacifist Prohibitionist; the others are
Democrats Of the strictest sect, and
yet Kitchin, as chairman Of the Ways
and Means Committee. has announced
purpose, we'll illustrated in his
,, leadership. of levying taxes sectional
ly; Van Dyke and Randall were op-
posed to the war, and Dent was so
strongly committed to pacifism that
as chairman Of the House Committee
on Military Affairs he had to surren-
der management Of the great army
bills az they reached the House Of
Representatives to julius Kahn. the
ranking Republican member.
TT would not be surprising If the
Republicans obtained a majority in
the next House Of Representatives.
Precedent il all that way, Wars
evolve taxes. and heavy taxation.
even when Just. breeds discomfort.
Many administrations have been con-
fronted half-w in their career by
Congresses not in political accord
with them. and nobody has suggested
that the party reverse was in any re-
spsot . repud1a&1on Of the President"