The Maui news. [volume] (Wailuku, Maui, H.I.) 1900-current, 1922-03-31
PARTY WILL DECIDE

Ere the rolled and storm tossed political sea could settle into a
softly rippled calm it is agitated and thrown into turmoil Hardly
have the votes been cast, even before official figures have been COM
piled speculation is rife as to who will be the candidates at the regu-
lar election next fall Baldwin is not given time to qualify for the
office to which he was elected ere he is asked whether he will be
a candidate for reelection. y new political campaign is being start
ed upon the very heels of the old.
Delegate Baldwin is right when he says it is early to make
definite announcement Of future intentions and he has gone far
enough when he says that he does not expect to be a candidate for
reelection. Many things may happen in six months. Baldwin did
not expect to be a candidate, did not seek the nomination at the
special election, accepted the nomination on the understanding that
he was giving up private life only for the unexpired term of the
9th congress. He still holds that expectation.
Before Baldwin was persuaded to permit his name to 90 before
the Republican convention he was shown that it might be impossi-
PIE Tor the party to get INTO accord and agreement upon any candi-
date other than himself in the short time before the special election
might be held. The Hawaiian vote appeared to be hOpelessly split
and it was not then evident that the Democratic party was disrupted
He was told that under his leadership the Republican party could
show a united front and win. He was not an asprant for the office.
lie loves the calm OF private life and detests the turmoil of political
campaigning. He yielded to powerful arguments, to strong inau-
enees and to an insstent call upon his party loyalty.
At the polls last Saturday Baldwin was given the greatest vote
and won by the largest majority ever given to any candidate for
office in Hawaii. He carried every Island and had a majority over
all opponents in every district except the fifth. The Republican ma
jorties were largest ever on every island except only Oahu.
Next Fall there will be a different condition from this Spring.
Last month party leaders in convention had to decide upon a choice
of candidate but prior to the next general election a primary elec-
ton will be held. At such election the voters will determine by bal
nominee. AS a result of the recent election Delegate Baldwin stands
forth as the strongest man in the party. The voters may insist upon
his nomination for reelection and if the voters cannot determine
upon their own nominee the direct primary system is a complete
failure.
Many things may arise in the next six months. LEGISLATION
may be started which the people Of Hawaii may feel should be I'M
der the direction of none other than he who starts it. There NAV
arise situations which would convince the voters of Hawaii that
their interests would be jeopardized by changing their representa-
tive. So it is possible that a candidacy might be forced upon Del
egate Baldwin again.
The actual situation is this. Baldwin accepted the party call
upon his understanding that he was to be permitted to retire after
the term for which he has been elected has been completed. He
made immense sacrifices at the call Of his party and his understand
ing was that he should not be required to continue to make such
sacrifices. Both he and Mrs. Baldwin have expressed the desire that
their stay in Washington should be for a few months only. In all
that he has said during the campaign of his future intentions he has
been sincere. Those who know him best, know well that he would
not willingly undertake another campaign such as he has lust pass
ed through and denomination would entail two campaigns, a prim-
airy as well as a general election.
Other asprants for the delegateship have understood that Del
egate Baldwin will not be in the field next fall. Their understand
ing and his have been the same but their calculations and his NAV
be completely upset by events of the next six months and the de-
mands of a majority of the voters of the party. The party NAV
take the choice out of Baldwin's hands and he has said enough when
ne has made his present intentions so clear. He is also right when
he says it is early to give a definite and final answer to the question
put to him at this time.