New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-11-03
UNUSUAL CHAPTER
OF HISTORY ENDS
Tuesdays Election Brings E1.
traordinary En- to Close

When the voters translate their
decisions into ballots at Tuesdays
election they will be passing judg-
ment on one of the really extraor-
binary chapters OF American politi-
cal history.
Whether the verdict is for Hoover
or for Smith, the year 1928 is likely
to be memorable for reasons quite
aside from the personalities of the
candidates and the issues for which
they have stood. 1t has seen both
of the major parties letting 60 the
traditions of geographical and in
dustrial sectionalism, and cropping
for a more secure national footing:
third partyism reduced to its lowest
ebb in this political generation. and
many of the ordinary customs OF the
years abrogated altogether.
Militant Minorities
1t may be that the political stu
dent OF the future will call 1928 the
year of the militant minorities.
Everywhere over the country new
life has been impaired to moribund
state and local organizations which
in past years have been overawed
by the hostile majorities about
them. and have given up the strug-
gle before it began. This time there
has been organized democratic ac-
tivity in nearly all of the heavily
republican states and an organized
republican campaign in nearly every
democratic stronghold.
Forecasters Disagree
or course the party forecasters
disagree as to the precise effect on
the final outcome, although they
concede generally that neither the
normal democratic states will re-
turn majorities at all comparable tc
those OF past years. They further
agree that no matter who wins, each
party will have left at its disposal
for future use, more truly nation
al organization than either has had
for many years.
The reconstruction OF the repub
lican party on this new basis ma,
be said to date from the June da,
when the supporters OF Herber
Hoover took possession of the part,
machinery at Kansas City. The ten
denotes of the times became quit,
apparent in the seating Of southern
delegations at the national conven
ton. An entirely new deal was de
clared in more than one southern
state during and after the conven
ton and during his trip to Tennes
see early in October Mr.. Hoove
made a direct appeal to the voter
of the south to regard the republi
can party a. party OF nationa
scope.
The democratic metamorphosi
began to show itself with adoption
Of the party's tariff plank at Hous
ton. 1t took on definite color will
Governor Smiths selection Of Johr
]. Raskob. one Of tho country
outstanding captains OF industry, a
chairman of the democratic nation
al committee. 1t was evident tina
the nominee was determined to dis
prove SO far as possible tho OLE
saying that the democrats canno
hope for help in the industrial
states because industry does no
trust democratic policies and demo
cratic methods.
Recruits Are Sought
In these respective efforts TOWARD
naturalization. the parties hav'
gone outside the old established
lines for recruits, and have held n,
grudges against erstwhile enemie
who have become suddenly friends
In the south the republicans hav'
worked shoulder to shoulder will
the ''anti-Smith democrats or
ganized by Bishop Cannon an,