Evening star., 1921-09-30
Editorial Digest
Harding's First Test Vote.


In terms Of triumphant rejoicing in
republican papers. and of philosophi-
cal resignation in democratic dailies,
the senatorial election in New Mexico
Is acclaimed and accepted as a vote
of confidence in the Harding adminis-
tration. A few democratic papers con-
tend that its national Significance has
doubt that the election of republican
senator in remote state is an index
OF popular sentiment. There Is also
some sharp debate as to which party
first tried to give national color to a
by-election. But most Of the demo-
cratic and all of the republican press
regard the results as indicating not
only that the tide has not turned. but
that 1t is still running strongly in re-
publican favor. Democratic writers,
however, interpret the vote not so
much as an Endorsement Of the "monu-
mental achievements" of the admin
give it plenty of time to make good.
The republicans, according to the
New York World (democratic), "took
great pains to explain that the cam
paign was only local issue" But
the Sioux City Journal (republican)
states that "the issues were chosen BY
the democrats of New Mexico and the
republicans were forced to adopt them
in toto" the issues being 1.-The accom-
plishments of the Harding adminis-
is over, the Journal adds ''the repub-
ltcans are willing to abide by the YER
dict" which the democrats forced. The
Manchester Union independent re-
publican). recalling 'some very posi-
tive declarations" Of Chairman White
, a Mt inc h :, afrto
character" of. the election, remarks
that "once again the hosts Of de-
mocracy invoked great and solemn
referendum. and again they have had
their answer In terms that cannot be
However. "the New Mexican contest,
as matter of fact" seems to the
Charleston News and Courier (demo-
cratic) ito mean little one way or
the other" and but for the fact that
national election it would arouse lit
tie interest" The importance of the
verdict" the Indianapolis News Gnde
pendenD believes has been very
greatly exaggerated" and the "elec-
tion would not have meant much
would hardly term New Mexico a
typical state from which to draw
final conclusions on by-e'ection,"
says the Rocky Mountain News (Dep.
yer, independently, because 1t Is not
"typically American" and further, the
democratic) notes. 'it is not an in
dustrial state" and it is ''ih the big
industrial centers, If anywhere. that
reaction against the national admin
istration is to be looked for" The
Plain Dealer so far extends its dis
counting Of results in New Mexico
as to declare that ut is never safe
to interpret a state or local election
in national party terms"
But the Philadelphia Public Ledger
case "by tacit consent New Mexico
was made a sort of a test of national
sentiment on the administration" and
"if democratic politicians are candid"
the Richmond Times Dispatch (demo-
cratic) thinks. they will; agree that
faction with the. Harding regime"
Last years republican tide has not
spent its force" the Boston Herald
Independent republican, finds. and
while 'ft will be only natural to
have some recessions; shonf9r for last tsa years
York Tribune (republican) agrees
that mo sign" is yet "discernible of
decrease in the administrations
strength"
The vote for Senator Bursum was
generous Endorsement Of the ac-
publican) believes in the opin-
ion of the Norfolk (NebD News,
New Mexico's attitude is probably
that of the country at large. There
has as yet been developed no very
serious opposition to the administfa-
tion," and the News thinks that even
those who feel that progress has been
slower than it should be are willing
to wait and see what the future Will
bring forth with a faith that has not
yet been overcome. The American
people are willing to give the party
time to work out it's policies and
pledges, the Kansas City Star inde-
pendent) says, but it warns that "the
administration forces will make the
mistake of their lives il they think
the New Mexico straw vote gives
them a license from the country to
sit back and take it easy" and ''the
action of Congress in the next few
weeks" will determine whether 'the
states in the congressional elections
next year will follow the example of
New Mexico or reverse it."