New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-04-13
Eddies in a Tide

WAYS sets against an Administra-
ton with a hard job on its hands
combined TO reduce the Republican
ma iority in the Congressional cleo
ton in the Elmira district. Two years
ago. when the country was voting
almost en- masse against the Wilson
policies, Democrats by thousands
temporarily joined the Republicans
at the polls. To make that year q
standard Of comparison for an cleo
ton to-day is poor method of tax
ing political soundings. The Re
pubiicans got more votes than nor
mally. Some Of them have now re-
verified to the Democrats.
Whether the wet and dry issue
affected materially the swing in the
Elmira district is a question men
and women will answer according
to their prejudices. 1t is clear that
the Democratic candidate did not
conceal his moistness and that the
Republican candidate did not side
step prohibition. 1t is also clear
that while prohibition may not have
drivan any considerable number
away, it did not attract enough to
offset the other losses. SO Dem
ocrat!o candidates elsewhere are
likely to be less skittish about stand
ing IS anti-Volsteaders, while Re-
publicans of certain type will not
restrain their forebodings But it
continues unlikely that the repeal
or modification of the Volstead act
will be the paramount issue next
fall. The party in power is nat
urally averse to offending one Of
the clements and the other is not
yet convinced that it is safe to at
tack prohibition. In localities dry
ness versus wetness will be en-
phasized, but there is yet no sign
of a general plebiscite. No one
knows to a certainty which side
would win, for the issue has never
been thoroughly argued and sub
mitted. There are millions who
hold judgment in allegiance as they
watch how prohibition works.
In the scattering elections of ma
tional import that have been held
since 1920 some Republican major
tiles have been cut down; some have
held. In ths Sd Maine district
last month the Democratic nom
inea for Congressman cut down the
Republican plurality of 1920, But
Maine Republicans have the habit
Of staying at home In by-elections.
On the other hand A Piatt Andrew
was sent to Congress- from the 9th
Massachusetts District last winter
by the Usual tidy Massachusetts Re-
publican plurality. In New Mexico
Senator Bursum was elected to sue
coed Senator Fab, who went into the
Cabinet, by smaller plurality than
Falls, but Fab wzs a more active
campaigner and q man of wider
popularity.
Naturally Republican leaders who
fancy that they can repeat the
achievement Of 1920 IN by-elec-
tons. or even in the Congressional
election IN November, are hoping
beyond reason. The very efficiency
and energy o. the Administration
In ending pas. exrravagances and
trying TO ges tie country back on
a business basis will cost it votes.
Also IL IS blamed, though unjustly,
for an the evil. which we're pro-
duced by the inciticiency o. its
predecessors.
People are Just awakening to the
fact that they have war TO pay for.
The fact that the war cost far more
than IL should have COST owing to
tho incompetence Of men now out
iof office, Is hard 20 realize. Pres
ent administrations ale always
hel4 accountable for present condl-
TORS no matter when or how
created.
The Republicans have NOT. low
ever. lost AS many votes as thev
might we'll expect TO lose unde- the
circumstances. Every day the cS-
ceilent work Of the Administrators
is bringing about return to nor
5nal buslhcss conditions. Whan
that work comes to full fruition ti7e
voters Viii approve what has been
done, perhaps not by majority !