Evening star., 1922-11-08
Say Reaction
Is Merely
Normal.
NATIONS SOUND
POLITICAL STATE
Wet and Tariff Is
sues Are to the
Front.
BY N. O. MESSENGER.

In the opinion of political leaders in
this city the outstanding significance OF
yesterdays country wide elections Is
demonstration OF the fact that the
country has returned to a partisan
basis. The result Of the balloting which
gave the democrats such heavy gains Is
attributed to normal reaction from the
unusual conditions prevailing in 1920.
with certain contributing causes.
This state of affairs the politicians
regard as a sign Of political health and
robustness. discouraging to the pros
poets OF a third party, a warning to the
bull moosers and to the radicals. 1t
means, they think. that government by
parties, along traditional American
policies, will continue to live in the
United States. Which, in the opinion
Of many men in public life, is as 1t
should be.
The democratic gains in the next
Congress will serve. 1t Is contended, by
making such a close party division In
House and Senate as to put a strtcter
watch upon legislation. and should be a
factor working in the public welfare.
"Wet. Vote Significant.
Deep significance is attached to the
vote cast by the "wets.' where it is
possible to locate and dinerentiate 1t.
1t is regarded as evidence that an
epochal struggle for modification Of
the voIstead act is ahead and that the
"wets' and "drys" will come to close
grips the country over.
The tariff question Is naturally ac-
cepted as having figured in the voting.
Only one construction is placed upon
the verdict at the polls. which is that
the arguments against a high protec-
tive tariff advanced by the democrats
were appealing to large element OF
the voters. 1t would be interesting,
II it were possible to do so. to esti-
mate to what extent the votes of pro-
gressive republicans on the tariff aid
ed the democratic tickets.
AS there can be no repeal of the ex
istink tariff law in the life of the
present administration and the next
Congress, the tariff promises to be
one of the important issues of the
Of the two parties will be determined
in their national conventions in the
summer of 1924 The republicans will
be expected to abandon inststence
upon excessive duties, and the demo-
Gratis, from the pressure within their
own RANKS, " Scl LII thSA q "~J A. wa
free trade doctrines.
New "Bloc" Prospects.
The close party division in the Sem
ate in the next Congress will con-
tribute to the formation Of "blocs."
it is thought by the political leaders
The agricultural bloc will be as
powerful as in the present body. The
radical bloc will come very near hold
ing a balance of power against the
regular republican organization. In
the reorganization Of the Senate and
its committees that element will have
to be reckoned with by the regulars
and the democrats may find In Its
existence a constant temptation for
coalition.
Politicians were eagerly discussing
today the possible bearing of tho
elections on presidential possibilities.
It was assumed that Gov. Miller's
overwhelming defeat in New York
removes him from the list Of top
liner candidates for the nomination.
Mr. Beyeridge's position also IL
classed as being considerably weak
ened, likewise Senator Pomerene's,
while Senator Hiram Johnson VIII be
strengthened The gubernatorial re-
suits presented no new possibilities
to the republicans.
Mr.. Ralston, in Indiana, Is regarded
as having made long strides toward
democratic favor in 1924. Mr.. Bruce.
in Maryland, will be watched closely
as an available man for second place.
Developments of yesterday recall a
statement made several months ago
by democratic leaders that the gov
ernorship elections Of this year might
bring the democratic party Its leader.
Gov.-elect Smiths availability as a
presidential asset, seemingly accen-
tuated by his great victory, may be
Offset in the minds of many demo-
cratic politicians by denominational
considerations.