The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1922-10-27
Democrats Say They Will
Elect Minimum Of Nine in
Lower House.
By LOUIS sBIBoLD.

fourteen years ago.
Without Penrose 10 advise and act
rs shock absorber to their outraged
feelings Republican leaders OF the
keystone State are seemingly between
the devil and the deep sea. They hold
little respect and display notethe slight
est enthusiasm for their party candi-
date for Governor. He will probably
win through force of habit despite the
optimism of the Democratic leaders
who predict the success or their party
which, 1t must be frankly admitted,
would be more or less of miracle.
The basis for Democratic confidence,
even though 1t is actually unwarranted
by an analysis of the confused Repub-
'lican conditions, is the sullen apathy
of professional Republicans and the
even more significant slump of 400 900
in the registration of eligible voters
II is a matter of dispute, of course, as
to how many of the recalcitrants are
Gratis. There is no question, however
but that the vote of the State for Gov
ernor will be proportionately very
much smaller than that cast in twenty
years.
PinchOt's Course UnOrthodox.
The Democrats naturally interpret
the decline and fall off in registra-
ton to the logically explained apathy
of leaders of the opposition. who find
the Pinchot complexes most difficult
to digest Mr.. Pinchot is something
of a Bull Moose In the Republican
china shop. He refuses TO play the
game in accordance with orthodox
union rules, a proceeding so novel to
the disciplined Republican mechanics
that many of them are not quite sure
that 1t would not be good politics. to
give their votes to John A. McSparran,
The Lancaster county dirt farmer"
who, along with half dozen "irregu-
lar candidates, Is trying to work up a
race with Mr.. Pinchot.
The disgruntled Repub lcans are in
dulging In a lot of private barking
against the Republican candidate, who
boldly announces his determination to
clean out the mess made of State
affairs by the regular Republican
candidates selected in accordance with
the standards of the now. completely
demoralized Penrose machine. Tile
chances are that, responding to habit,
the soreheads will fall into line on
November and give Mr.. Pinchot "A
majority less substantial than those
awarded to Senators Pepper and Reed.
Congressional candidates and other
aspirants for places on the State pay
roll.
1t does not require any great amount
of keen insight or more than casual
inquiry to develop the fact that tho
Republicans anticipate a great deal OF
trouble with Mr.. Pinchot after he has
been awarded the scepter of Governor.
Some of them comfort themselves with
the assurance that they can check his
''eccentricities' by controlling the other
state and legislative offices. Their
most conspicuous activities arc, there
fore devoted TO bringing out as large
"A percentage of machine vote as pos
sble for the other candidates and let
Ting Mr.. Pinchot take his chances.
Out of the confused condition now
prevailing 1t is expected that leader
VIII BE- developed TO take the place of
Penrose. II may be Gov. Sproul, but
more probably Senator George Whar-
ton Pepper upon whom the role Of
conciliator has been forced. presurn-
ably against tho ambitions or desires
OF the Senator himself.
Voters Indifferent.
The Gubernatorial contest monopo-
Lies all of the popular interest mani
tested In politics. for the distinguish
ing feature of the situation In Penn
sylvanla as in all other States, is the
unmistakable indifference of the voters
generally for the game put up by the
professionals OF both parties. None of
the leaders assert for moment that
Mr.. Pinchot can secure an Impressive
majority In view of the fact that Mr..
Harding carried the State by 7l4,913
two years ago, q conservative Repub-
lican estimate as to the probable vote
tor Mr.. Pinchot would appear to DO
startling were 1t not for the apathy of
the voters in both parties.
For the first time in many years Re-
publican leaders are wailing about the
ack Of money for campaign purposes.
This Is not due solely to the yelled an
tagonism of Republican readers TO Mr..
Pinchot but rather to the conviction
that the candidate for Governor should
pay his own expenses. His admission
nat he and his friends spenf around