El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-09-16
WESTERNPART
OF WASHINGTON
FOR HARDING
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
(Continued from page II


The fact that Samuel Gompers in
dorses Gov. Cox doesn't mean any
thing TO the labor leaders here, who
consider Gompers an ultra-eonserVa-
tive
The Ohio governor IS unknown in
this part OF the country, so IS sena-
tor Harding. II there were any
quality to distinguish Cox from his
opponent OF any issue TO make him
stand higher in public esteem than
his adversary, the people in this sec
ton OF Washington would forget lle-E
Republican traditions and do what
they have frequently done in the past
/ in national elections
But Harding and Cox seem 10 repre-
sent about the same thing and Wnen
things are equal Washington IS He-
publican. OF course. when one says
there are no issues OF trandescenaein
importance the statements snould De
qualified, but the issues are negative
There Is resentment against every
thing Democratic and even the league
OF nations has suffered from expos
ure 20 the Republican elements ana
their incessant showers Of criticism
Newspapers Against Cox
Take the press OF this state, for
instance. A canvass recently made
showed that out OF 1872 important
dailies in the state only about ten
were supporting Gov. Cox OF these
Harding would carry the state
The situation in 1915 was entirely
different President Wilson mad the
support Of leading newspapers In big
cities. The cry lie kept Us out OF
war" was effective, especially with
women voters.
10 particular cry OF slogan has
appeared for either candidate this
year, though Gov. Cox has been at
tackled as a wet, which doesn't get
votes in this dry territory Little
enthusiasm for Harding Is expressed
by the average man who lnJanos e
vote for the Republican candidate ne
is voting his party ticket blindly.
All he knows IS he wants a change-
he isn't able often TO say why ne
wants a change or what ne expects
when the change comes Senator
Harding is looked on as con-
scientious. diguified candidate
Were these normal times. the issue
OF progressive and reactiOnary raised
by Gov. Cox might have some weight
but the trouble is no one intending
Gov Cox. has undertaken 70 explain
TO the average man what the differ-
ence between a progressive and a re-
dictionary IS with respect TO matters
affecting western Warrington
out here they regard Burleson and
his attitude toward union labor as
reactionary. They think attorney gen
.
Gov Cox ingratiates himself with the
radicals they wiz not be satisfied IN
less he goes TO extremes and comes
out for the pardoning OF DeDs ana
other socailed political prisoners As
for the conservative elements they
were autaeonized by such academic
references as Gov Cox did make 10
the Justice Of radicalism-
Cox and Wilson Coupled.
Many a radical VIII flesh back a.
you the criticism that as between
progressive and reactionary the Wiz
son administration was as reacrionary
during the war as any adminlstration
The tendency IS 10 regard Cox and
Wilson as members Of the same parry
and both responsible for the same
kind Of government Gov. Cox nasn. {
drawn any line Of distinction between
the sort OF an administration he
would give and the kind the people
have experienced in the last Few
years
with whom Gov. Cox concerted when
he was in this state are hardly IN
good repute- The general feeling
about Gov CoXs venture in western
Washington IS that 10 won him some
votes but did not start any appreci-
able drift toward him on the part
OF that large number which has been
gradually deEerting the Democratic
party in the last two years and go
I ing back 10 their first loTe-the Re
publican party.
AraIn and again one meets the re-
mark from both Republican and
I Democrat that Meade might have
carried the state Of washington but
even that would have been a doubtful
proposition
AS matters stand today Washing
tons seven electoral votes are not
/ even In doubt They viii 60 70 sena-
! tor Harding
| TomorroW's article VIII deal with
the situation IN Oregon - Copyright,
. 1890 by David Lawrence.