Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-10-02
ALIENATION OF "WETS"
Continued from page l

| ttfTc IL ITO uCnNiHk NHe tdtN tlth tttaii'
thousands of Democratic voters in New
other centres, who regard the prohibition
law with anything but favor, have beer
greatly disappointed by the change il
| the Democratic plan of strategy which
has compelled the party managers tc
| subscribe to the dry doctrines.
The Republicans have not been SLOW
! to take advantage of this condition ol
affairs. For instance, Judge Miller, the
Republican candidate for governor OF
New York, who was regarded rs moist
in his views, has switched around to the
dry, leaving his Democratic opponent,
Governor Smith, the sole champion of the
New York, who was regarded as moist
in his views, has switched around to the
dry, leaiWg his Democratic opponent,
Goveror Smith, the sole champion of the
wet issue.
The Democratic managers find some
comfort in the fact that Governor Cox
will lose very few votes In the wet belt
of the country because OF the ability OF
the local candidates to hold them. Another
source of consolation is the prospects that
seem of the very dry states, whose views
have been met by Governor Cox that their
electoral will be given to him,
Republican managers admit that the
position of Governor Smith on the wdtand
dry issue will rebound to his advantage
but thev are quite confident that Governor
Cox will not share any benefits to the
Democratic candidates for governor.
The vets in the large States seem to be
turning away from the Presidential con-
test and oentering their attention upon
the candidates for Congress and State
Legislatures, since it is from them that
any change in the present law must come.
WHY REPUBLICANS REJOICE.
Republican managers assert full credit
for bringing about what they describe
rs the alienation of the wet vote from
Cox" IS a matter of fact they are fcliei-
tating themselves for having accom-
plished "the alienation" of the Irish,
Italian, German and of the great number
of voters who are not catalogued for any
distinct national inspirations from the
Democratic party.
Perhaps the chief reason for Republican
qualification over existing conditions is
the belief that they have successfully
confused public sentiment over the League
of Nations issue, solidifed the Socialist
vote, and given encouragement 10 the
promoters of the Farmer-Labor party and
weened substantial percentage of the
new women voters from support of the
League of Nations, and that finally they
have met with great deal more salts
factory results than they expected in
melting public sentiment against the
Wilson administration.
One Of the most important Republican
chieftains told me today that the original
Republican plan was TO tie Governor Cox
up to the Wilson administra-
tion. This, II appears, changed to some
extent. Present Republican strategy Is
to compel the Democratic presidential
candidate TO repudiate all of the Wilson
policies during the next four weeksof the
The theory of this move seems
10 be that without the support of Presi-
dent Wilson. Governor Cox viii be the
more easi.y beaten.
BUT LEAGUE WILL NOR DOWN.
The persistency with which the League
OF Nations intrudes itself into the Re
publican campaign has caused no little
apprehension among leaders who sense
the extent Of the appeal that it makes to
voters generally. There is, in fact, much
among Republican chieftain
who are otherwise completely sangliineu of
y
contains enough dynamite to cause an
immense amount of trouble 10 their
presidential candidate.
Democratic managers claim that their
appeals TO the conscience of Ammerica
viii swing the larger number of women
voters into hne and influence citizens
IN those States that gave the
decision to President Wilson four years
ago.
DEMOCRATS NOT DISCOURAGED.
For reasons that do not appear TO be
explained, the Democratic
managers in New York are far from dis
The advices that reach them
from the Western States are most en-
vouragng" and they have not entirely
abandoned hope Of carrying two or three !
Eastern States. The Democratic leaders
concede that ''a1 Of the breaks have so
far been with the OPP Eosition' and that a /
change In Democratic luck is inevitable |
A recent development 70 the campaign /
that causes concern In both parties is the /
growth OF sentiment favorable to the /
tarmer-La Dor ticket Even New York has !
begun to ia ke an lntere st IN the activities /
9f Dudley Field Malone, the Farmer
Labor candidate for governor. He is /
addressing big meetings. has the support /
Of the Hearst newspapers, and If the |
claims of his supporters are justified, is
cutting into the Republican farmer vote
and winning the support of the element /
Of labor that takes stand midway be- |
tween the conservative trades union pro-
gram and the Socialists. Tammany dis
trlct leaders admit to me that Malone /
S certain to get large vote in the city, |
which, coupled with the Socialist vote, |
strongest In the Ghetto" districts in |
Manhattan and Brooklyn, may imperil /
The chances OF Tammany' State and local !
tickets
From one of the Socialist leaders / get |
he information that a survey Just com
oieted indicates Socialist vote Of 800 600 /
q the five boroughs of the city Malone |
old me today be expected to poll $50, 900 |
'otes from both parties"