Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-09-25
DEMOCRATS LIKELY
To CARRY NEVADA BY
SMALL MAJORITY
Optimism of Cox Puts Heart
Into Party Workers-Has
Stirred Voters Throughout
West
By DAVID LAWRENCE

RENO, New, Sept. 24.-Nevada is
close state this year. Normally
it is Democratic by a comfortable
majority, although the majority OF
5000 which Wilson got in 1915 was
Overwhelming. Only about $4,000 tc
10000 votes are usually cast; 5000
is virtually a 10 per cent majority.
The Republicans who think Hard.
ing will carry Nevada count upor
him to win by 500 votes. That is
how closely they figure majorities in
small state
The Republican optimism is based
entirely upon the disaffection among
the Democrats and the continued
murmurings which have been goir-e
on against the Wilson administra-
ton. The Republican leaders esti-
mate the shift of Democrats tc
Harding will be considerable, but
disinter ested observers do not be-
lieve it will be enough.
That Governor Cox will get Ma
vada's three electoral votes would
seem to be more reasonable ex-
pectation than a Republican victory
though it must be recorded here for
whatever significance it may have
that the political wayfarer encount-
ers high Republican hopes in states
that are normally Democratic, and a
shake of the head and a bit OF
anxiety, though by no means de-
spair, among the Democratic leaders
in those same states.
Cox Stimulates Backers
The truth of the matter is that
Democratic prospects have been at
many months, and that whatever Re-
publicans may say about the effect
of Governor Cox's trip this great and
vital influence has been eXerted by
him over the campaign in the west.
He has stimulated the working Dem
ocrats everywhere. He has put
backbone and pep" in the rank and
file.
Many of them were originally for
McAdoo and didn't know a thing
about Cox until they read his speech
of acceptance. Now they have seen
the candidate himself and in nine
cases out of ten the effect has been
instantaneous, for as political mix
er and enthusiast Governor CoX's
magnetic personality is unexcelled.
Right here in Nevada, where Sen
ator Henderson, Democrat, is a can
didate for reelection and i, is certain
tc win, since there is ! fractional
strife in the Republican party, and
can count upon a big Republican
vote, the said Henderson is reported
to have been worried by Cox's entry
into the state. Things were run
ing Hendersons way without drag
ging the national ticket and it's ham
dIcaps into the situation, even the
League of Nations was sort of taboo
as topic of discussion. But Cover
nor Cox surprised Henderson and
everybody else by the impressivenesS
of his argument on the league and
by his own forceful character. Dem
ocratic leaders went away believing
that while it might be disputed how
there could be no doubt that the
Democrats and those instinctively
friendly to the Democratic cause, but
straying from Wilson leadership, now
are disposed to stick in line under
the Cox leadership.
Confident OF Success
Henderson will run away ahead OF
Cox on the Democratic ticket. So
will Senator Phelan, in California
who. too, is understood to have been
worried about the effect of the Cox
trip on his own chances.
He is reported to be feeling much
better since Cox himself put punch
into the Democratic camp and said a
few stirring words about Senator
Phelan's record. Californians who
will tell you that Phelan has a good
chance of reelection will hardly say
that Governor Cox has as good an
opportunity to carry the states
electoral vote.
As a matter of fact, Governor
Cox's whole attitude is one of con-
fidence Sc shows in his speeches
that he believes absolutely in vic
tory. Instead of saying: IF l an
elected L will appoint a secretary OF
interior from the west" he says fiat
ly: after March 4 next 1 will ap-
point" etc.
He doesn't use the potential MOOD
at all. He takes it for granted thai
he will be elected. That is one way
to stimulate Democratic workers
that Republicans even in the doubt
| full states have worked with twice
as much energy as they normally de
simply because the betting and 9th
er Signs indicate to them a Republic
can victory.
Conversely depression in the Dem
ocratic ranks is due to the apparen
| certainty Ct Republican triumph!
|
| lean newspapers on the theory tina
| the country wants a change.
! 1t tomorrow some sensational
campaign happening turned the tld
toward the Democrats they would
work 100 per cent harder.
The Democratic morale has beer
! low due to disorganization at ma
| tional headquarters and lack o
| funds 1t may have been wise t.
make virtue out of poverty when tn
senate investigation committee be
gan studying campaign finances blu
it gives many Democrat out ives
the impression that the Democratic
campaign was a failure at the yer.
| start.
Perhaps the greatest handicap, OIL
the other hand, that the Republican
suffer from in this state is apathy
Dissatisfaction with the present ad
ministration is current but 1t hasn'
been enough to arouse all the voters
The Republican leaders fear the.
will not be able to get out the Re
publican vote. The Democratic ap
prehensions are based upon the de
population of certain Democrat
counties on account Of mining condl
tons What has been lost to tn
Democrats, however. in the gold fell
district may be made UP by the ney
arrivals at Elko. This state is clos
but the chances are it will go Dem
ocratic by a narrow margin.