Evening star., 1923-12-19

The peculiar primary law of South
Dakota has been very much in the
limelight ever since the forces of
President Coolidge won victory"
over the cohorts Of Senator Hiram
Johnson. At first glance it was ac-
cepted as meaning that the delegation
from that state to the next republican
national convention had been sewed
up in the Coolidge bag. 1t developed
all accomplishment was that the
President had secured the leading
position on the ballot when the voters
actually record their choice, and then
It was agreed the result meant very
! little after all. One thing, however,
which Coolidge partisans insist has
happened, is that the President stands
stronger than might have been ex-
pected in truly rural community.
"Mr. Coolidges origin and rise,
and homely good sense and judgment"
the New York Times independent
democratic), feels, "have made q
strong impression upon many farm
ers.' The Paterson Call (republican)
as an indication of the lack Of
strength of the radical element to
! which Senator Johnson makes his
strongest appeal" which likewise is
ietin Independent republican,. be-
cause the verdict goes to strengthen
the forecast that Johnson's progress.
i've appeal will be much less in 1924
than In 1920. For the administration
the fact that, a great agricultural
state has freely made the President
its present choice as a farmer boy
who has done everything in his
power for the farmer as his proposer
put It. Is cheering omen for. for the tna pre- e.
argument, however, does not appeal
to the Reading Tribune independently,
which insists "the South Dakota pri-
maries serve just about as well to
the Maine elections. They. will do
| nothing more than to provide gossip
| for the political savants who subsist
| on predictions" This also Is the be-
lief of the Norfolk Pilot (democratic), },
because "the only effect which the
preliminary Endorsement has on the
| fortunes Of a candidate is to send
him into primary an acknowledged
! favorite."
| It is the argument Of the Boston Post
independently that "the important thing
is the plain outcropping Of Coolidge SEN
timent in a spot where 1t was hardly
expected And to this may be added
the less spectacular but perhaps as sig
nifcant action of the republican state
committee Of New Jersey in declaring
for the President for 1924" The Columbus
| (Ohfo) State Journal (independent re-
publican) in it's turn suggests IF Sena-
| tor johnson cannot win in the north
west. where there is much discomfort.
where can he win? The people sense the
essential difference In quality of the two
men, and it is well for the republic that
| this is So" Agreeing that 1t is only
as straws, indicating the direction of
! the political wind, through which the
south Dakota result may be considered.
the Omaha World Herald ldemocratic)
points out they show "that neither
! johnson nor Ford appeals to the pro-
gressiye and radical sentiment OF this
western agricultural state. Ford s
| showing is SO poor that it will go far
| to put a quietus to his mushroom boom,
| certainly in the democratic party, prob
ably in the third party. Johnson's de-
! feat is an indication of his inherent
| weakness. AS a progressive he Is q
| wolf dressed up In a sheep's skin. II
| the South Dakota verdict foreshadows
| the national verdict it win be McAdoo
against Coolidge. This would mean that
1 the issue in the presidential contest
| would be squarely Joined between frank
and intelligent progresstvism onthe one