The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1922-04-17
READING THE LESSON Alright.


tlons and primaries And 80 Will bc lamentablo
~ tho correct perspective Is not secured by
both.
Tho dispatches ten us that oongross is panic
strictcn over tho results of recent elections
which Indicate tho country Ia swlngng to tho
opposite oxtrcmo on tho liquor question. These
facts are cited'
l. In tho Thlrty-Fovonth congressional
district of N,w York--Judgc Frank Irvine,
democrat running on wet platform, came
within 5000 votes ot being elected 20 com
gross over Lewis Henry, republican IN
district That is normally overwhelmingly
republican.
.. In tho Twelfth congregational district
of Illinois, Representative Ira a. Copcy.
republican of Aurora, ono OF tho oldest
uomhors Of tho Illinois dcloGaton, was de-
tc1tcd IN the primaries Tor denomination
by Frank u, Reed, who campnlgucd ON a
liberal platform.
o. In tho sixteenth congressional district
~ Illinois, Rcprcsontatlvo clifford ireland.
republican ot Peoria was defeated In the
primaries by william Il. Hun, on Straight
wet and dry Issue.
II is further explained that tho two Illinois
congrcssmen were considered fixtures in tho
lower housc. one having been a member for
six terms with n place on the great ways and
means committee. ana tho othor a three-tormer
and the chairman OF an important committee.
They were defeated by mon OF untrlod political
acumen,
In tho by-clcctou in New York. reference TO
which was made in these columns at tho COM
mencement OF tho campaign. Judge irvine.
democrat predcuted his candidacy on opposi-
tlon 10 tho soldier bonus. the Volstead act, tho
shcpherd-Towner law and the Shepherd some
thlng-or-other federal educational bill now
pending IN committee.
Hero were three men standing before their
ctlv
IN THE NATURE or A PRINCIPLE. They
we're opposing men long in congress who had
amply demonstrated their only concern to bo
to ascertain what the loudcst- -mouthed group
OF voters wanted
In other words tho successful candidates in
each OF these contests had the courage TO
make an issue Of pending public questions.
while the defeated gentlemen were all me-toos
afraid TO mako an issue or face an issue: the
type that has stamped out party government in
America and glorlfod class and factlonal lob
bles.
Judge Irvine was not elected. He was de-
feated. But tho circumstances attending his
campaign and defeat mako him n tremendous.
influential figure even in defeat, Mind you.
here was democrat soliciting support in a
district that has always been repuhlcan-heast.
ly and overwhelmingly republican. In the last
congressional election It was carried by the re-
publican nominee with $4,000 votes 20 spare.
And Irvine was defeated by less than ? .OOO Is
It any wonder that the weak and wobby poll-
tlcans OF congress who have made OF thom.
selves crrand boys Tor lobhcs and lobbyists
who have concerned themselves only with es-
Gaping an issue instead OF making one, felt the
shlverS hit their spines?
The number OF American electors who made
this demonstration possible and who were
moved 20 their action by a wish that tho mis-.
erabls saloon element might again be estab,
lshed IN America was insignificant. There Il
nothing in the United states at this time ca
pable OF being catalogcd as a brewer or saoor
interest. Those who were at one time IN thli
business are far too profltably employed ir
dodglng the so-called prohibition law TO evei
want 10 return 70 the old days and ways.
This verdict was rendered by men and womer
who are alert 10 the greatest menace which
has ever threatened free institutions: That Il
secret and class movements which seek TO die
tate the policies OF this republic and prevent the
presentment Of all but side OF any public
question The Volsteaders have a right TO present
candidates standing for Volsteadlsm; no ono
seeks 10 deny them such right. But there are
an unascertaIned number Of people, who are
opposed to VolsteadIsm. and these people have
a right 10 vote for candidates who are COM
mltted 10 a saner and more economical vitalza-
ton OF the Eighteenth amendment.
Those who seek TO establish tho precedent OF
puttinE price patriotism have a perfect
right TO offer candidates for popular approval
but they have no right to avoid making such
demand a public issue by the miserable under.
hand method OF debating all candidates Tn,
proponents OF the mischievous and un-Ameri
can educational bill, have a perfect right I,
come into the open with candidates pledged I,
such legislation. But they have no right L
seek their ends through intrigue ana ohicaner
ana the bringing to bear Of influences concern
ing which the great body OF American 40,
ereigns know nothing.
1t is through the indstensibls, practices