Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-09-07
Eueulation Every 1900
Evening Yesterday i COOZ
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER Z, 1920
Progress of the Campaign.

Taking conditions the country over,
Ne national political campaign, now In
hll swing 80 far as management and
direction are concerned, cannot be said to
Dc at all exciting, not even lively. 1t
wpuld, indeed, be dull were it not for the
tarthng effects of the bomb cast into the
Republican camp by Governor Cox, in
his speech at Pittsburg last Thursday
Night week, when he furnished official and
conclusive proof of his charge that the
Republican National Committee was en-
6savoring TO raise huge campaign fund
ri at least fifteen million dollars, an
amount far in excess of the most liberal
estimate for legitimate expenses. What
was intended for the excess of this amount
over the sum needed for legitimate ex-
penses may be in imagined without any
Eueat mental exertlon.
Desperate efforts have been made to
hscount the damaging effects of this
nharge, so thoroughly sustained by official
evidence, but without results. The evi-
hence comes from Republican National
Committee headquarters, in an official
circular in which were set forth appor-
hsonments among various cities amount
ing 20 more than eight millions, and only
about half the country covered. Also, the
official circular of the director of this
campaign fund, with full instructions
nrKing activity In collections, secrecy as to
movements, and imparting the now
famous Injunction: But, Boys, Get the
Money! Republican organs may howl as
khsy please about Governor Cox failing to
uroduce the proof Of his charge, but the
country nov knows he furnished proof
that leaves no room for cavil. The Re-
publican members Of the Senate investi-
pating committee, after hearing the
pit,fully weak evidence of Chairman Hays
Of the Republican National Committee in
sebuttal, would gladly have abandoned
the investigation, but the Democratic
members, Senators Pomerene and Reed
insisted upon Its continuance.
Aside from this very interesting inch
dent, the national campaign is devoid of
special interest, although it has been
noticeable some time that Governor Cox
Creates enthusiasm wherever he speaks, and
doubtless will impart much more enthusl-
asm in the western tour upon which he has
started. Franklin D. Roosevelt. Demo
cratic candidate for Nice-President, has
created a favorable impression by his
speaking tour in the West, and ls now add
fng TO that favorable impression by hIs
npeeches in the eastern section.
One week from today, Tuesday, Sep
a1mber To- the Maine election. for State
officers. county officers, Legislature and
Dour Representatives, in Congress, VIII
Ake place For years this State con-
les, In September has been looked upon
n an indicator, to some extent, OF
low the country is likely to vote on
he Presidency in November. 1t used
10 be conceded that Republican ma
prity rising above II 900 at the Septefpt
ber election indicated general trend
pward the Republican party through
put the country. while a Republican
majority Of less than that size was indie
stive of a drift towards the Democratic
party. In 1916 the Republican plural
jty for governor at the September cleo
ton in Maine was Il, SOS. slightly above
the supposedly significant limit; but
It was Disappointing to the Republicans,
rs they had confidently expected about |
2o.OOo And President Wilson was re-
elected in November. AT the State |
election two years ago the Republican |
plurality for governor was only 5,l5l, |
and unless the Republican majority |
at the coming State contest shows uD |
nearly three times this slight margin
il will mean death TO Republican hopes
Of victory at the national contest.
Still. conditions at this years Presi-
Dental election may be greatly different
from those of any preceding election,
a. the general participation Of women
in the voting, which now seems highly
probable, may make al the ordinary
bases of comparison which were relied
upon in previous years very uncertain
ur unreliable. The addition Of the votes
Of several millions OF women 10 the
electorate msy prove an element Of such
uncertainty that the effect Of this addi-
tion cannot be known unit after
the count of the ballots 1t will be
remembered, however. that the re-
election Of President Wilson, in 1916,
was largely brought about by the results
10 the States west of the Mississippi.
N nearly all of which women partici-
pated In the voting. So, at any rate,
there is no reason to look upon the
peneral enfranchisement of women as
m element of danger 10 the Democratic
party
Here in Delaware the campaign laps
% the camps of both political parties.
but there is ample time yet for political
.etivity. The Republican pin ries in
New Castle county, next Saturday