Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-11-05
THINKING 1T OVER

It is the custom to form concluS-
ions and make estim a ties from
the election returns. While con-
lecture is permissible, definite con-
illusions are not trustworthy. How
ever, certain features seem clear
enough to warrant a fairly definite
attitude respecting them.
; Evidently our House of Represent
tatives, chosen as 1t Is every two
years, Is the best index we may have
of party sentiment. It appears the
large Republican majority in that
body not only has not been upset
but is less seriously impaired than
not infrequently occurs in an off
year. This Is encouraging to Re-
publicans, to those who believe in
party organization and loyalty
Like encouragement is not found
In the election Of third Of the Sem
ate. On the contrary there is re-
vealed the unmistakable tendency in
this country to lapse into bloc chaos.
Under the direct primary party
fealty has been weakened by person.
al prejudices, by sentiment respect
ing the liquor agitation, by Khan par
ticipation in political intrigue, to an
extent not apparent in the choosing
of the House membership. AS a re-
suit of this a few Senators, wearing
Republican insignia but placing
their confidence In ability to direct
and cater to popular fancy without
regard to conviction as to funda-
mentals. men OF the caliber of
Brookhart of Iowa, Nye of North
Dakota and the young LaFollette of
Wisconsin, are in a position to de-
feat party policies, throw monkey
wrenches into the administration
machinery and dictate concessions
to their personal wishes.
This situation augurs badly for
steady continuation of the progress
that has been made under the Cool
idge administration, to which these
men are hostile. While that endured
something like this in the beginning.
the power of these individuals in the
10th Congress evidently will be
greater than heretofore. Though
they are representative Of no wide
spread sentiment in the country they
wear the Republican cloak over their
daggers so often used on the Re-
publican party. Guerrilla politics
gets nowhere except to such dis
tinction as notoriety and lime
light afford. We may not, however.
expect the guerrillas to desist nor the
Democrats to hesitate to take ad
var tage of their help. Indeed, the
Democrats doubtless are better
pleased than If they had obtained
control Of the Senate and so had
been placed under visible RESPONSE
bility for what may be done or left
undone.
As to the liquor situation consider
the arrant hypocrisy connected with
the referendum votes. An exception
was Nevada that came out squarely
in favor of changing the Constitu-
ton. Missouri, while both her candi-
dates for the Senate were wet, would
not vote to repeal all the States en-
forcement laws. Those of the vets,
who have been accusing the drys OF
hypocrisy have by means of refer
enda in New York, Illinois and Wis
consin endeavored to promote multi
fication, though ostensibly asking for
rational legislation. The latter State
asks for 2.75 beer. This would be
but the tip OF the spear-head thrust,
satisfactory to nobody save the
brewers, and why should we legislate
on behalf Of the brewers to the ex-
clusion of the wine makers2 The
proposition to leave to State to
determine the per cent of alcohol
permissible in beverages is absurd.
The Constitution prohibits intoxicat-
ing liquor. II State were so mind
ed it could under this proposed plan
vote for 400 beverage, which all
must admit Is more absurd than half
OF one per cent.
Both vets and drys claim advant-
ages were gained in this election,
but we are unable to see that out Of
1t all has come any assurance that
the country Is ready to repeal the
18th Amendment or is likely to be.
Instead, the situation recalls the ebb
and flood of prohibition sentiment
in Maine over the period 1t was in
force. There were recurring waves
of enforcement followed by those of
qualification in some degree. It was
noticeable, however, that the reced-
ing Of the tide fell short OF low
water mark. displays Of liquor In
saloon windows came to be intoler-
able and at times the saloons had to
struggle for existence and grew less
,n number. The, tide Of sentiment
for enforcement at each food reached
higher mark than did the preceding
flood. There was, on the whole, a
marked gain In opposition to the
drink evil. 1t seems reasonable to
suppose that conditions which OBJ
tained in Maine would in greater or
lesser degree obtain in the country
es a whole. Anyhow. there may not
be found In the liquor phases of the
posing that we are on the way to re-
peal Of the 18th Amendment.
There are indications that the
tariff will figure prominently in the