Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-10-12
wa abingdon. D. G.. Oct, e.-ofr-IM

year campaigns and elections are In
teresting chiefly for their bearing on
the next struggle for the presidency.
This is especially true Of the fight
now on which will terminate Novem-
Der T.. It will determine the political
complexion of the next congress and
| which party will control the official
machinery Of various states. and all
that is important. but the big thing it
will do will be to spotlight the men
who will contest for the great prize
in 1924. In a way it will be the quail
ification or elimination round Of the
presidential tournament.
At the same time the general re-
suits Of the 1922 elections will be ac-
cepted as indicative Iof the political
trend throughout tho country. fore
~shadowing what will probably happen
two years hence.
If the Republicans retain control
Of congress and are m~easurably sue
cessful in the state contests, they, will,
look forward to 1924 with %redoubled
confidence, for they would regard
this as an an endorsement of the
Harding administration and Of the
party's legislative program. @
On the other hand, If the Demo
Gratis should carry either the house or
the senate, and If 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
marshaled far more easily into q for
midable fighting machine. ,
Peculiarly enough. while all Repub-
licans are of one mind. as to the de-
STABILITY Of their retaining control
of congress there are differences of
opinion among Democrats as ia
whether 1t would be a good thing for
them to elect an actual majority in
either branch of the national law
making body. A few Democratic
leaders insist that all. they want is to
score substantial gains in the congress
sional elections. leaving the Repub-
licans in control of congress by the
narrowest possible margin. This. they
say, would not only make the Repub-
licans solely responsible for whatever
happens In a legislative way during
the next 1S months, but would also
make it impossible for the Republi-
cans to explain any failure to carry
out their program by blaming the
people for electing q Democratic
house or senate. These Democrats
also point out that II their party, gets
control OF congress it will be incum-
bent upon 1t 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 embodying their views On the
more important issues, and 1t is quite
possible that they might get INTO a
wrangle among themselves over such
questions as the tariff, the bonus, ship
subsidy. Industrial relations. and the
like, that would prove disastrous.
Harding Might Use Veto Power.
Moreover, even II they could get to
gether on a constructive program OF
legislation anything they might do
would doubtless be nullified by; the
veto Of President Harding. and In dis
approving Democratic measures the
Republican president might find i
capital for himself and his party.
\ Such may be said to be, the views OF
the more cautious Democratic leaders.
Others who IRE more militant insist
thatsit would be q good thing for their
party to win eery possible seat In the
house and senate !. This element is
willing to take chances on being able
to make ASrecord. that Viii appeal to
the people and believes that It will he
altogether to the advantage of their
party to win every possible seat iii the
Impossible for the Republicans to car.
~ out their legislative program,
All this has to do with the f1nesse
OF the great game Of politics. BY fal
the more interesting phase OF the pos
sible results OF the present campaign
10 the development Of star players OF
the, game. Most pemosfap who !fig-
urefin national affairs and practically
all the expert political observers agree
that the Democratic standard bearer
for 1874 Will emerge from the else.
IttonssneHt month. Somewhere. In one
of the important fights for COVER
|norship Or for Il Beat tnsthe senate
asmaH wifi loom up. they cay, who
{personifieS the leadership .of which
the party y 70 sadlygin nssd at pres
Thsrs sks bis men in the Demo.
cratic party. btlt mons Of them ID
such&ans outStsnding figure that he
mist ~ AcceptpdSa6 fhe plrt1 leader.
Not even former iFfesidSf Wilson 4,
III ~ Cox