The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1921-09-22
SPLIT IN SIGHT

! here is such thing as securing an election at
too great a sacrifice Mr.. Harding secured mag
nhcen vote, polling majority of seven millions
over his opponent; but he did so by uniting with
scme sort Of promises or professions. two political
factions hostile 10 each other in principles and
aims than the old-time Republican and Democratic
parties
While the Republican official personnel, its
election machinery, and the press are almost wholly
conservative, or stand-pat large contingent,
probably majority, Of the party vote, is pro-
gresslve. Just how large this progressive element
, is may be inferred from the straw ballots before
the national convention, which, in almost every
state, gave tho progressive candidates for prcsi-
dent a majority of the party vote. Hiram John
son, General Wood Thought by the public to be
prc grcssyc until the p & c. soap interest in his
nomination opened the public cyc) and Herbert
Hoover, also suspected by the guIlibe of being in
every test vote.
MIR. Harding, frankly reactonary, and backed
by reacucnaFy interests, was nominated, but his
election would have been an utter impossibility
without the votes of the citizens who had favored
progressive ticket. His task in the Campaign
was to hold his natural backing, the Lodge and
more radical elements. led by Johnson, Borah and
Iatcllcc, that he was in reality in sympathy
with them. He performed this task admirably
IN set of campaign documents and speeches
which, for plattudc and ambiguity, stand univaed
IN The political literature of the country.
But The time for the showdown is at hand.
Evidently, he has not made good with his inter
rarty promises. Two doughty radicals have al
ready announced their intention CT climbing on his
back One Of them is Senator Borah, whose pres
tlge, Immensely increased by his success in pushing
the disarmament resolution through congress, has
not really suffered by the houts he has received
IRON the administration since that achievement;
and Senator LaF gillette, who, although somewhat
dlscrcded by his position in the war, is neverthe-
less one OF the most resourceful fighters that ever
occupied senate seat
Borah is going to attack the peace treaty; La
Fcette will direct his artillery at the corporation
tax reduction feature of the senate tax bill. Both
CT them count on other Republican aid, as well
as support from Democrats. Both are speakers of
force, with the ability to arrest public attention
and marshal facts in convincing manner. They
can be cut-voted, in the senate; but whether thew
can be out-talked is another matter.
heir purpose undoubtedly is to collect and
organize progressive political sentiment within the
party. Should they succeed, the result would be
the complete tie-up of the administration. No man
can succeed in the presidential chair without the
backing of his cwn party, and a very slight d.
VISION In The senate would leave Mr.. Harding
strangled. AT the same time, if public sentiment
responds to the advances of the insurrectionist
senators, new political party. which will tear the
Republican organization into shreds, is one of the
possibilities of the next three years.