New-York tribune., 1919-05-31


Of the state Is accounted for in large
first time the women of Michigan had
voted. But while the number of voters
increased by over II per cent, the gain
in Republican strength was over 81
per cent, more than twice the increase
of only 40 per cent shown by the
Democrats. The Republicans added
269,6O4 votes to their strength, and
the Democrats only 1859 repre-
senting net gain by the Republicans
of 175,915. This remarkable increase
in Republican sentiment occurred while
the issue of the league of nations was
uppermost in the minds Of the peo-
pie.
Not less significant are the alleged
weakening morale in the ranks Of the
Democrats. This is said to be espe-
cially noticeable in the states of Ken
lucky, North Carolina and Missouri,
already referred to.
Evidences are multiplying that the
younger Democrats in the border
Southern states are growing disgusted
with the old Bourbon machines that
have dominated politics. The total
vote cast in the old "Solid South"
states-Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia,
Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missis-
sippi, North Carolina, South Carolina,
Tennessee, Texas and Virginia-was
little more than 100000, while in one
Republican state, Illinois, the vote was
2,163,0Oo.
Kentucky Republicans are confident
of triumph this year, when they elect
a Governor, and next year, when the
larger test will be made. Two weeks
ago at Lexington they held their state
convention. The meeting was har-
monious, enthusiastic and determined.
A state ticket, headed by Edward p
Morrow for Governor, was nominated
for ratification in the state primaries
-Four years ago Mr. Morrow was de-
returns by plurality of less than 500
votes. The election machinery at
Louisville at that time was in the
hands of the Democrats and they used
it to the limit. Since that time Louis
vile has twice been carried by the
Republicans. Last fall the Republican
candidate for Senator was defeated by
a very narrow margin. The influenza
epidemic kept the vote in the Repub-
lican mountain sections of the state
down. Republican leaders say Ken
lucky normally is Republican. The
vote in 1916 was: Wilson, 1880;
Hughes, 241, 1854. Last fall Stanley.
Democrat, candidate for Senator re-
ceived 1S4,3S5, and Brooner, Republi-
can, 17s,797.
Took Records on Hunting Trip
President Wilson, ON his last visit
to the United States, nominated as
United States District Attorney for
North Carolina the Democratic state
chairman, under whose manipulation
the election in 1918 was made more or
less of a joke, it is said He issued a
letter to his partisan registrars, whose
right to control the privileges of
voters in the state has been iudiciallv
decided to be absolute, directing them
to vote sick voters, although at home.
under an absent voters statute, but
admonishing them not to let the Re-
publicans know about their intentions.
it is alleged. One of the thirty-nine
kinds Of fraud detailed in a statement
by the Republican state conference at
| Greensboro on February Is was that
the registrar of a Republican pre-
cinct went hunting on Election Day.
carrying the records with him, and
thus prevented an election. The Re-
publican state conference in Green's
boro on February Is was the largest
and most enthusiastic political gather
ing ever held in the STATE. 1t was adj
dressed by viii II. Hays, chairman of
the Republican National Committee.
and when Mr.. Hays left town the
young fellows gathered around him
and told him to watch North Carolina
at the next election.
The Republicans last fall elected
United States Senator, Seldom P.
Spencer, in Democratic Missouri, and
next fall they are confident of putting
the state in the Republican column.
The Democrats are broken with dis
sension as never before. United
States Senator Reed is bitterly oppos-
ing the league Of nations and has had
the support of William r, Hearst in
all his newspapers. Champ Clark is
understood to be q candidate for the
Democratic nomination for President.
The friends of Clark never have for
given Wilson for beating Clark out Of
the nomination in 1912. Hearst swore
vengeance on Wilson at the time, but
could do nothing in 1916.
His backing of Reed at this time Is
regarded by New York Democrats as
part of the "hne work" that the Hearst
men are preparing to do against VIII
son in Democratic states. The Admin
istration's hostility to Champ Clark
was uncovered following the election
last fall when the Wilson men, point
ing to the small plurality by which
Clark won his reelection, began
propaganda looking to his retiremen
from the leadership of the House.
The real purpose of the hostility to
Clark, engineered by Sanders, of
Louisiana. was to put into the mi
nority leadership a man amenab1e to
the wishes Of the White House. and
at the same time get rid Of Clark as
a Presidential possibility. Clark's
friends got to work and they soon
demonstrated their control Of the
situation.
In view Of the certainty just prior
to the Democratic caucus that CLARK
would win his enemies abandoned the
effort to defeat him, not caring to ex-
noao tho aoLpocc ,rJ ~. -,