Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-09-20
COOLIDGE To HOLD
EDGE IN ILLINOIS.
LAWRENCE Thinks
By DAVID LAWRENCE
Especial Leased Wire to The Journal-Copy-
right. l99ll

right, l921.)
CHICAGO, Sept. 1S.-Illinois at
the moment is not seriously enough
affected by the candidacy of Senator
La Toilette to warrant optimism
among Democrats that John w.
Davis will profit by the split and
capture the electoral vote as did
Wilson in 1912 when the Republican
party was divided.
There is an unQuestioned drift or
undercurrent or silent vote or in
definable trend toward La Toilette
from the ranks of the working men
and from farmers who want class
government. This vote will be con-
siderable, but in a state which Har-
ding carried by a million majority
in 1920, Coolidge could afford to lose
800, 900 or more votes and not feel it.
In other words, in a strongly
Republican state like this only a
Roosevelt with a dominating in
fluence among regulars as we'll as
progreSslVes can prevent tie elector-
al vote from being cast for a Repub-
lican. And it is admitted on all sides
that La Toilette is no Roosevelt
Small Holding Aloof
may get is, of course, an interesting
subject for speculation and perhaps
will be regarded with qualification
by those who hope after election day
to lay the foundations for pro-
gressive party, but in the matter of
electoral votes q miss of an inch isn't
any better than a mile. William
Howard Taft, seeking reelection in
1912, polled a big popular vote, prob
ably more than La Toilette will get
this year, but Mr.. Taft received only
a handful of electoral votes, and
that's what counts.
So in Illinois, while LaFollette
sentiment is by no means unimpor-
tant, it will not change the result of
the electoral vote which at present
writing would appear to be safe for
President Coolidge.
there are certain aspects of the
campaign which could be disquieting
If the Republican managers didn't
know their Illinois. For example,
Governor Len Small is seeking re-
election on the Republican ticket and
ne has refrained from indorsing
President Coolidge or speaking at
meetings where the regular Repub-
llcan national organization sends
speakers.
Inc regular nominees like former
Governor Deneen, who is running for
united States senator to succeed
Medll Mccormick, are keeping away
from Small and his crowd. It's
sort of polite truce, the effect of
winch will not be lost on the La Fol
lette type of voter. Indeed, Cover
nor Small will help Senator La Fol
lette, for many who will vote for the
former will vote for the Wisconsin
leader, too.
One hears that La Toilette will
draw as many from the Democrats
as from the Republicans. This is an
assumption that ignores, however.
That the Republican party in Illinois,
especially since the ascendency OF
Len Small, has developed quite
radical wing, while among the
Democrats the radical groups are
relatively small.
Democrats Face Task
Many laboring men who are
Democrats ordinarily will turn to
La Toilette but it would appear that
even larger inroads will be made
INTO the Republican party. The
DCl1lOC1 dIlC VI SdulZd IIOn mas q TICKET
of its own to elect and whatever it's
feeling may be about Davis it must
work tooth and nail for the whole
ticket to win for the state ticket. SO
the energies of the Democratic lead
ers throughout the state are directed
toward holding the line while the
republican management can hope
for similar support because of the
split in the party developed by Gov
ernor Small in recent years.
The, Democrats have nominated
an able man for United States sena.
tor. Colonel Sprague, who is popu-
lar with the war veterans, but
neither he nor former Governor De-
neen will attract the La Toilette
supporters, who are still talking of |
putting a senatorial candidate into
the field.
Governor Small ran approximately |
$50, 900 behind Warren Harding in |
1920, which gives an idea of his |
strength as compared with a regular |
Republican nominee when no pro-
gressfve is running. He may not |
run that far behind Coolidge this |
year, for La Toilette will unques- |
cut down the Coolidge to- |
tails this time. All of which is rela- !
lively unimportant beside the fact !
that Illinois electoral votes may be |
put down for the man now in the |
White House.