The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-09-21
WARM RECEPTION
IN THAT STATE
Many Supporters of Johnson Enthu-
siastically for Cox State at Pres
ent Is Republican, But Same Uncer-
tainty as Four Years Ago.
By DAVID LAWRENCE.

ON BOARD GOVERNOR CON'S
TRAIN. Southern California, Sept. 2l.-
Riding through the state of California
'or a day with the Democratic nominee
OF the presidency afforded, not merely
IN opportunity to estimate the warmth
md enthusiasm of the crowds, but be-
.wccn stations, Governor Cox talked
frankly to the writer about the status
Of his campaign. ----..,--..--..--.--.-- ..-...--
Ehc Ohio governor is most disturbed
by what seems to him, at any rate, an
unfair attitude on the part of many of
t he newspapers of the West. He said he
didn't expect Republican newspapers to
his speeches editorially, or to |
hand him bouquets, but he did expect |
square deal Again and again, he de- |
clarcd the newspapers in some of the
large cities on the coast had deliberately
suppressed the news of his speeches.
In one instance the newspapers failed
to announce correctly the time of the
governors arrival or to give any promi-
nence when he came into their vicinity.
Also the governor was advised that one
large HeWspd never P'bAloA+SN' ms
speech of acceptance.
The governor said that he did not cx-
pect the newspapers to print partisan
reports in his favor, but he had believed
they would at least give space to the
dispatches of the Associated Press and
other press associations.
The most sinister thing I have OBJ
served on my western trip" he said,
"was the rebellious attitude of the peo
pie whenever / make any reference in
any speech to the press. Can it be that
the people are losing confidence in the
press of the country? As a newspaper
publisher, / think it hurts our profession,
and as an American, think it is a dan
eeroas tendency For the people of the
country expect the press to be fair and
to give both parties square deal. That
is the only safe way to retain confidence
in our institutions"
The governor having been advised by
! local leaders that very little about his
campaign in other states had been pub
! lished in coast cities has made it a point
to repeat many parts of preceding
speeches.
| His approach to Southern California
was continuous reception at the sta
tions along the coast route Even though
he made no speeches on Sunday and the
people evidently did not expect any,
/ folks came out in large numbers to greet
/ the Democratic nominee.
! Calforniagis hardly considered doubt
/, full state by Republicans this year.
Many of whom insist that the majority
! for Harding win not be less than 100000.
| But, while some of the Democrats are in
cined to agree with that estimate tod
day, they decline to admit it win be the
final decision of the state.
California can turn itself upside down
in a week and the splendid impression
made by Governor Cox enroute through
California has raised the hopes of his
friends that the tide has begun to turn.
The enthusiastic welcome given Gov
ernor Cox in San Francisco by the bust
ness men and at Oakland by crowd that
was plainly in sympathy with his league
of nations argument has stimulated the
hopes of even those Democrats who were
inclined to despair of the outcome before
Governor Cox got here.
Followers of Hiram johnson are
friendly to Governor Cox. They see in
the Ohio governor points of similarity to
their own idol. Indeed it is whispered
that Senator Johnson will confine his
disagreement with Governor Cox chiefly
to the league of nations as he is said to
feel keen admiration for the progress
sive record of the Ohio governor.
Several Johnson men told the writer
that if it were not for the strong fight
made by Senator Johnson against the
league of nations as an issue in this
state, Governor Cox would carry Cali.
fornia easily on the issue of progressiv
ism. Certainly the rank and file OF
Johnson supporters are leading to Cox
and some openly characteristic Senator
Harding as a reactionary. How much
of this is due to a disappointment over
the failure of the Republican party at
Chicago to select johnson as standard
bearer, and how much it reflects q
friendly feeling toward progressive is
hard to say.
Certainly as one travels about the
! state, observers point to the large Re
publican registration in the primaries
and say, that there will be big vote ii
the senatorial contest, but that a surpris
ing number of people viii not vote fol-
either Cox or Harding. Evidence of q
sullenness in this state is not lacking
The people who helped johnson win the
primary vote for the presidential nomi
nation are deeply hurt that the verdict
was ignored and Governor Cox pours oil
| on the troubled waters not only by EN-
/ phasizing that Senator Harding didn't
carry any primaries outside of his owl
4 ~ Z z