The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-10-10

Interesting chiefly for their bearing
ON the next struggle for the presi-
dency. This IL especially true OF
the tight now on which will termi-
nate Nov. 7. 1T will determine the
political complexion OF the next
congress and which party will con-
troll the official machinery OF var
ious states, and all that is import
ant. but the big thing 1t will do
will be to spotlight the men who
will contest for the great prize IN
1924. In . way It will be the quail
fication or elimination around the
presidential tournament.
AT the same time the general re-
suits OF the 1872 elections will be
accepted as Indicative Of the politt-
cal trend throughout the country.
foreshadowing what will probably
happen tive years hence.
If the Republicans retain control
Of congress and are measurab!Y
successful in the state contests,
they will look forward to 1924 with
redoubled confidence, for they
would regard this as an endorse
ment OF the Harding administration
and of the party's legislative pro-
gram.
On the other hand, il the Demo-
Gratis should carry either the house
or the senate, and il they should
win in one or two of the pivotal
states, they would have grounds
for the belief that their party is
about to stage a comeback. They
would go into the next fight With a
far more aggressive spirit and their
forces that are now somewhat dis
integrated could be marshaled far
more early into . formidable
fighting machine.
Peculiarly enough, while all Re-
publicans are OF one mind as to
the desirability Of their retaining
control of congress there are differ
ences of opinion among Democrats
as to whether 1t wouIu be good
thing for them to elect an actual
majority in either branch Of the ma
tional law making body. A flew
Democratic leaders. insist that all
they want is to score substantial
gains in the congressional elections,
| leaving the Republicans in control
OF congress by the narrowest pos
sible margin. This, they say. would
not only make the Republicans
solely responsible for whatever
happens in legislative way during
the next IL months, but would also
make it impossible for the Repub-
licans to explain any failure to
carry out their program by blam-
ing the people for electing a Demo-
cratic house or senate. These
Democrats also point out that if
their party gets control of congress
it will be incumbent upon it to
make an Affirmative record on which
to go before the people in 1924.
That is to say, the Democrats would
be expected to pass bills embody-
ing their views on the more import
ant issues, and, it is quite possible
that they might get into a wrangle
among themselves over such Ques-
tons as the tariff, the bonus, ship
subsidy, industrial relations, AMI
the like, that would prove disas-
trous.
Harding Might Use Veto Power.
Moreover, even il they could get
together on . constructive program
of legislation anything they might
do would doubtless be nullified by
| the veto of President Harding, and
in disappearing Democratic meas
ures the Republican president
might find it easy to make consid-
cradle political capital for himself
and his party.
Such may be said to be the views
of the more cautious Democratic
leaders. Others who are more
militant insist that it would be a
good thing for their party to win
every possible seat in,the house and
senate. This element is willing TO
take chances on being able to make
a record that will appeal to the
people and believes that it will be
altogether to the advantage OF their
party to be in a position to make il
Impossible for the Republicans to
carry out their legislative program
/ All this has to do with the finesse
of the great game of politics. BY
far the more, interesting phase oil
the possible results of the present
campaign is the development of staI
players of the game. Most Demo
Gratis who figure in national affairs
and practically all the expert politi-
cal observers agree that the Demo