Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-10-25
cox is CERTAIN ,
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continued from paSe
paign. expressed greater confidence than
the governor himself that 1--WE will show
the other side n fight during the next week,
and we have every reason to believe that
we will win.
The retort Of Hays, who, while always
optimistic, is nevertheless inclined to
conservatism in the matter of claims, was
that 1--WE are not afraid of any fight the
Democrats can put up. We have been
ready for one ever since the camaign start
ed. We expected that there would be an
Improvement in Democratic chances and
are ready for it, but the tide set against
the Democratic party months ago, and,
while it may not prove an irresistible
flood the results will show that the voters
of the country, men and women, are de
termincd to substitute competency and
efficiency in the government for incom-
potency. autocracy and ineificiency.
DEMOCRATIC CHANCES IMPROVE.
These two authoritative views clearly
reflect the conditions that exist nine days
before the 81 600, 600 voters of the coun-
try are to render their decision between
the two parties That there has been a
vnst Improvement in Democratic chances
is not disputed by the more important
managers OF the Republican campaign.
This improvement Is attributed by
them to three causes:
(l) The wabbing and evasion of
Senator Harding, the Republican Presi-
DENTAL candidate, aggravated by faction
al rows in some of the most important
parts OF the country.
(2) The aggressive and effective team
work by President Wilson and Governor
Cox, plus thorough cooperation OF tho
party organization generally.
(3l The tremendous interest recently
displayed by voters particularly women,
IN the League Of Nations.
The improvement noted in Democratic
chances has been sufficiently marked to
make Republican leaders Of several States
express concern over their State, Senatorial
and Congressional candidates: 20 cause
many of them to run UP signals for imam
cial help and to revise their obviously ex-
travagant estimates "a to malorlties and
pluralties for their Presidential candi-
date
Surface indications reflected in the
report 20 the New York, Chicago and san
Francisco headquarters OF the two parties,
still point to a victory for Mr.. Harding.
There is no question about that. But 10
balance this these same reports point un-
mistakably TO the slipping Of MIR. Harding
himself in popular estimation. In some
parts Of the country this retrogression has
been so pronounced ~ to encourage the
Democratic leaders 10 assert that # the
campaign had another month TO 60 MIR.
Harding would be beaten, and the
emotional Republican fake fail IN It's
purpose"
WOMAN VOTE UNCERTAIN.
4 circumstance that contributes largely
10 this conclusion Is the admission OF both
parties that they have not succeeded IN
gettirg lire on the probable distribution
Of the woman vote, Of which It Is esttmat-
cd there will be about l2,O00,0oO
The managers of both parties therefore
make obviously absurd claims which have
so far resisted analysis and definite
classification. If the Democratic theory
that women generally favor the League OF
Nations because Of their conviction that II
provides an insurance against war IS cor
rect. the greater percentage Of the woman
vote will 90 to Mr. Cox. This, IN tact, Is
the great dependence OF the Democratic
party all over the country.
They believe that they viii be able 10
win enough Of the women voters IN some
Of the Western States to give them, with
the votes Of States surely Democratic, the
decision. While the Republicans also
attach great Importance 70 the woman
vote 1t IS not regarded as vital to the candl-
dates Of that party as II Is 70 the opposl-
ton The reason is that the Republicans
are cordent Of securing tie support OF the