Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-11-11
ELECTION Result
PUTS REPUBLICANS
ON ANXIOUS BENCH
BY DAVID LAWRENCE
tLeased Wire Service to The Journal.
(Copyright 1927

the negative. They have not changed
their mood from 1920, but this time
it was the Republican party which
had to bear the brunt of popular
discomfort. Analysis of the returns
shows clearly that whether a Re-
publican or Democrat was defeat
ed, the reasons are to be found in
the protesting attitude Of the cleo
torate rather than in an affirmative
search for a constructive alternative.
No guiding principle can be applied
except one, namely, that when the
public is dissatisfied it turns from
one party to the other irrespective
OF whether the latter has a better
program or a definite policy.
The turnover this year is practi-
cally as great as it was in 1910 in
the middle of the Taft administra-
ton. If the Republican party had
not luckily obtained such a big ma
jority in 1920 in both the senate
and house, they would have lost con
troll of both this time. AS it is, the
Democratic gains in the house are
such that while the Republicans will
be left with full responsibility for
the performance of the house, they
will not have the comfortable control
or flexibility necessary to push strict
ly party measures through such an
unwieldly body as the lower branch.
The opportunities for group coan-
lions have been increased. Tnere
will be more chance for "blocs' In
congress than ever before. These
naturally VIII retard progress ana
initiate against the party in power
which will be anxious to make as
good a record as possible for 1924.
Democrats Heartened
Speaking of 1924, the returns GER
tainly have heartened the Demo
Gratis at a time when their morale
has been lowest. The populous east
ern states have shown a readiness
to turn back to Democracy even
after so short a period Of two years,
for it is just twenty-four months
ago that they helped bury the Dem
ocrats under the greatest avalanche
in American history.
1t looks today as If the Democrat
ic party would provide itself with
leaders, 10th inside and outside of
congress. Senator Oscar Underwood
has announced that his health Will
not permit him to accept the lead
ersh.p of his party in the senate.
Mr.. Hitchcock, of Nebraska, who
was runner-up in the fight for Dem
ocratic leader in the senate, has
been defeated for reelection. Sena-
tor Pat Harrison, Of Mississippi, an
aggressive type Of pol. teal leader,
is likely to be chosen. Cordell Hull.
Democratic national chairman. has
been elected to the house from Ten
nessee. If he retains the chairman.
ship it will be the first time in re-
cent history that a national party
organization VIII have been directed
from the halls of congress. 1t may
be that he will find it impossible
to discharge his duties in congress
and to do the work needed of a ma
tional chairman in the two years
before a presidential election. The
national chairman will have to trav.
ell a great deal. as the Democrats
lack organization everywhere. Mr..
Hull will have a good deal to do
with the leadership Of the house
though he will probably not be the
titular chieftain there.
Examining the results of the diff
ferent elections, it is apparent that
Al Smith ran true to form in New
York state. He did cut down Gov
ernor Miller's majority upstate as
predicted and had to his advantage
an immense majority in New York
city.
Al Smiths Victory
Personal popularity had more to
do with the result than any other
factor-Mr. Smith was unusually
we'll liked and Mr.. Miller was not a
popular type at all, though his rec
ord was better than the vote for
him would seem to indicate. 1t
means that Pres,d Harding alone
pulled him through in 1920 and that
the Democrats have taken sweet re-
venge by pulling through a Demo
cratic senator on the strength Of Al
Smiths landslide.
Maryland retired Senator France
and elected w. Cabell Bruce as was
anticipated. New jerseys sena-
torial race proved as spirited as ev-
erybody thought it would, but the
edge went to Edwards in the last
few days. The tremendous vote for
Edwards in Hudson county was
larger than anybody believed posi-.
BILE. The Hague machine voted it's
people by the thousands, men and
women, and the wet issue helped
Edwards in that county, which en-
braces Jersey City and Hoboken.
It's too early to draw general in
ference on prohibition even though
the first returns show that in New
York, New Jersey, Maryland and
Massachusetts the "wets" helped
the Democrats make their gains.
Those states have always been
damp. They are merely registering
their feelings every chance they get.
Mr.. Lodges close fight in Massachu-
sets may have been q surprise to
many who didn't observe the state
in the last few days of the cam
paign, but the nervousness of the
Republican leaders showed clearly
they had an intimat:on of danger.
~ Lodge ran way behind Governor
Cox, Republican, and undoubtedly
chusetts senator.
Indiana may seem a puzzle be-
cause of the many reports that Bev-
e1idge would win easily. When the
writer was in Indiana he noted
symptoms Of revolt and emphasized
the hostility which labor was show.
ing toward Beverage because of his
speeches advocating a reduction in
wages.
Labor Big Factor
Labor took an active part in the
in Indiana and Ohio. The
defeat of Beverage can be laid at
the door Of organized labor, and as
for Senator Pomerene, he, too, was
injured by the organized votes Of
the labor element. It wasn't so much
hat Fess favored labor, but that
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