New-York tribune., 1920-10-03

Goodrich were running for reelection
he would drag even the national ticket
down to defeat. They are basing their
hopes on the fact that Goodrich is not
a candidate for anything, and, in fact,
has not made a speech so far. He is
not expected to make a speech, and all
Republican orators have orders not to
mention his name.
The Republican candidate for Cover
nor is not alludirg to the state ad-
ministration, though it has been in the
! hands of his own party, except to say
that he has no "fads" In government
to try out. This is subtle knock at
the many commissions set up by the
Goodrich administration, which the
| farmers blame largely for their in
creased taxes.
There are two other vulnerable spots
in the Republican .armor, at which the
Democrats are shooting persistently.
| One of them is the candidate for State
Treasurer, Ora Davis, whose record as
! treasurer for one of the upstate coun-
ties is being attacked. The Democrats
! are making considerable capital of his
record, charging that he was nomi-
mated to further the political ambitions
of Jim Watson. The Republicans arc
said to be making all kinds of efforts
to get him off the ticket, but they have
not yet succeeded.
Despite which, SO heavy is the Re-
publican trend, that a Democratic OBJ
me in the past has been unfailngly &C
curate told me this week that Davis
would probably be pulled through.
Another weak spot on the Repub-
lican ticket is Will Adams, court re-
porter-the Hoosiers do not believe
in leaving much to the appointing
power-who was condemned at meet
ing of the State Bar Association a
few weeks ago.
Then comes another weak element
which is general all over the country,
but in which there is more interest
here than has remained in most states.
That is the defeat Of the popular
choice of the state at the Republican
National Convention.
Anger at the men who prevented the
nomination of Leonard Wood still
sticks up like sore thumb. Wood
carried the state primaries, polling
about $4,000 votes. Hiram Johnson
ran close behind him with about S0,-
600. Lowden got approximately b0,-
900, while Harding got only $4,000.
Senator Harry New was known to be
for Harding from the first, and Wat
son was for Harding, down in his
heart, although many Of his friends
hoped he would be nominated him
self. The two Senators were on the
Big Four of the state at Chicago, and
though they voted for Wood until tho
final slide to Harding occurred many
Republicans In the state feel that they
never did put their heart into the fight
for the General.
SO that Governor Cox's charges of
the Republican party being run by a
Senate oligarchy have perhaps met
with more of a reaction in Indiana
than in any other state, particularly
as Watson has host of enemies,
anxious to seize any excuse they can
to talk and work against him.
The elements SO far set forth would
seem to provide q situation. the only
logical answer to which would be an
overwhelming victory for Taggart. and
safe majority for Cox. The truth
If Republican Administration had
been enthroned at Washington for the
last four years this would work out.
An Ace in the Hole
The Republicans, however, have more
than an ace in the hole in Woodrow
Wilson. 1t is his unpopularity which
makes Cox s uphill fight in the nor
mally debatable state Of Indiana hope
less, and which will probably keep jim
Watson in the Senate.
The Democrats concede the strength
of the antiWilson feeling with great
frankness. All over the state the
business men, farmers and taxpayers
generally are more set on getting rid
Of Wilson and all his works and in
stalIng some other administration in
Washington than they are on any
other one thing.
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