Great Falls daily tribune., 1920-04-08

r. IL " ~ =
THE MICHIGAN DEMOCRATS.
Later returns from the primary election IN
Michigan go to show that the victory OF the
Hiram Johnson people in the Republican prl-
mary was less sweeping than the first returns
indicated and that he may not carry much more
than half the districts, General Wood and Gov
enor Lowden getting some delegates. But the
Democratic primary returns are more interest
ing and surprising. Governor Edwards OF New
Jersey leads the race in returns up to date 1or
the Democratic nomination with Herbert HooV-
er close behind him, McAdoo following next and
William j. Bryan, bad fourth, and Palmer tar
in the rear. The figures at this writing are
Edwards, 54,472; Hoover, 81 ,533; McAdoo, 34,-
1867; Bryan, 28,987 and Palmer, $3.50. The
surprising strength Of the Edwards vote is the
most noticeable feature of the Democratic pr1-
mary returns. 1t must largely be taken as a
vote of protest against the stringent bone dry
enforcement law passed by congress. Such ma
tional reputation as Governor Edwards has IS
based on his election as governor in New Jer-
sey on frankly anti-prohibition platform. HE
made this the prominent issue of his campaign
in New Jersey and won. Mr.. Bryan was so
much disturbed over this fact that he publicly
protested against the chairman Of the Demo-
cratic national committee attending dinner to
celebrate the Democratic victory in New Jersey,
because by his official position it might be
thought that the Democratic party in some way
indorsed his fight He also predicted that the
ideas represented by Edwards would make their
appearance at the San Francisco convention, and
called on all good Democrats to show their de-
testation of such principles. 1t looks as though
the PRINCIPLES of Governor Edwards were more
popular with the rank and file of the Michigan
Democrats than those of Brother Bryan. We
have not been inclined to take the presidential
candidacy of Governor Edwards very seriously
despite ominous signs in many states that the
Democrats are inclined to take whack at the
prohibition enforcement law put through con-
press But if few more states give such in
dications of popular resentment against this
legislation as the Democrats in Michigan have
done it is certain to become live issue in the
next Democratic national convention. The de-
cision of the law officers at Washington that
brandy or wine in mince pies is likely to add
fuel to the flames of revolt against it, for many
housekeepers will resent such prohibition,
knowing as they do, that no one gets drunk on
mince pie and that any alcohol in it is mostly
evaporated in the heat of the oven that cooks it.
Another interesting feature of the Democratic
vote in Michigan is that Herbert Hoover seems
to tread close on the heels of Governor johnson
as the favorite of the Democrats of that state.
In fact we expect to see him pass Edwards and
take first place when the late returns from the
country are all in because the heavy vote for
Edwards comes from the big cities whose re-
turns are all in and Hoover runs strong in the
country districts. This Hoover vote is impre-
cedented as far as we remember in the history
of party politics. Here is man who has prac-
tically announced that he is a receptive candi-
date for the republican nomination under GER
tain conditions (not very likely to be realized)
and at the same time he seems strong favorite
in Democratic state primary. In fact he runs
far stronger in the Democratic primary in
Michigan than he. does in the Republican pri-
mary in the same state. Here is political phe-
nomenon likely to give anxious pause to the
Republican party leaders at Chicago They don't
want Hoover. He gives them positive pain
when they hear his name mentioned. They say
he has no ghost of show to be nominated at
Chicago. But what would happen to the G. o.
p. if they throw him down at Chicago and the
Democrats picked him up and put him over at
San Francisco My, but that opens up a vista