The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1924-08-14
By VILLAIN L. DALEY
National Editorial Association Spec
ial to the Herald

Washington, Aug. IL Though
official Washington is particularly
dull at this time Of year those who
expect to receive political fawors, are
obviously concerned over the cap
rices of the market, for farm products
1t is said in many quarters thai the
yield of the soil and the demand for,
the products holds the key to the
formation of tn third party. The
increasing completely of political
conditions continues to battle even
the most astute politicians who real
ize that public opinion is profoundly
interested and divided on the chances
of a third party getting a permanent
foothold after the November elect
ions.
The formal notifications to the
prospective candidates of their nom
nation for the Presidency revives
partisan interest in platforms and
resolutions of intentions. Impartial
observers are unanimous in their
declaration that it would be folly to
predict the outcome of the autumn
elections at this early stage OF the
contest. Political leaders are cog
infant of the necessity of stimulat-
ing party activity on the great ques
tions of the day and familiarizing the
voter with the party commitments.
Always sensible of the limitations of
the people, these party leaders do not
intend to wait for human nature to
change but revise their own institu-
tions to fit human nature. AS one
thoughtful leader stated recently,
"There is no hope in putting a square
collar on a horse and then condemn
ing the horse for failure to grow a
square neck"
The claim was advanced in many
quarters that economic factors more
than political ideals may govern the
rise of a third party. The political
dopesters say that a third party must
have it's nucleus in a separation OF
the two major parties, and 1T now
resolves itself into the question as
to which campaigner will suffer the
heaviest numerical losses in the pop
ular vote. Republican leaders have
argued lately that the upward reVls
ion of wheat, corn and hog prices in
the Middle West will strengthen
their position and discount many OF
LaFoIlette's best arguments for a
change. The Democratic n FRO
oressive leaders insist that these e.
leventh hour changes IN the econo-
mic structure + not at all onVIhc
ing. However, there is always a per-
spective in politics.
In the discussions of the third par
tv movement here and in other CITIES
it has been brought out chat Latol-
1ette hopes to make a strong showing
in the fall and then build up a per
n party on his theory OF state
a third party movement sometimes
imnIies that the followers dlscard
the other groups on the ground that
their platforms represent outWorn
and obsolete ideas of politicalthoughC
which is not exactly true in this case.
r. has been said that this new move
ment would be patterned after the
british labor party in its legislative
but conditions here IN
ENGLAND are vastly different u
such a plan would necessarily pc
to insure it's a~cceptnce by
any large body of voters.
Those who have studied the pollG-
ical systems say that the lndepend-
voter has some difficulty in the
re0istrv of his intentions under the
resent balloting system. There are
four types of presidential ballots IN
use in as states, which even results
widespread confusion as the meth
DDS prescribed vary. LaFolleCCe
have hopes of ~capitalizing ,
On split tickets, but splitting a bal
ct involves risk of error and loss OF
vol It is this lack Of understand
NO which makes the straight ticket ! !
he easiest method of voting, and. It ,
S said, strengthens the two major
While the campaign has not yet
cached the stage where personalities
ire banded about in political discus.
it is interesting to note that t
ii parties are giving their attention {
o insuring a heavy vote at the Tan /
,lections. In every locality speak
RS endeavor to awaken the citizens c
interest in the government and those