Evening star., 1928-04-19

Chicagos reputation OF Mayor
Thompson and his allies has been the
subject OF worldwide comment since
the news was flashed that the Illinois
voters. swarming 10 the polls In the
Republican primary. had smashed what
the Chicago Tribune called "as vicious
and powerful a machine Of corruption
as ever fastened itself upon an Amerl-
can Commonwealth" The American
press generally regards the result as "a
vindication OF democracy. a striking
illustration Of what the ordinarily in
different average citizen can do In
politics when aroused.
"Decency and common sense" pro-
claims the Chicago Daily News, are In
the ascendant once more. But the
reason for this highly beneficial change
should be taken to heart and empha-
sized on ell suitable occasions. The
heavy registration, the voting by tens
Of thousands OF citizens who too often
stay away from primaries the deter
mined guiting Of deed to word, the
carrying TO the polls Of the peoples in
! ward dIscontent~-these are the main
factors in the inspiring moral victory in
Cook County and Illinois"
Commencing the citizens who carried
the day. the Richmond Ncwa~Leader re-
marks that the line OF political decency
Is all that separates democracy from
mobocracy." and warns that lin Chi
cago or some other city where the
people remain indifferent that line will
some day be crossed and a city will be
given over 20 open plumber"
The Newark Evening News, realizing
that when the people wake up 20 a
realization OF their plight they can
throw the corrupt machines out" asks.
''But why should they go 10 sleep and
let these machines establish themselves
In controi2"
Terrorist methods in politics" the
Roanoke World News Is convinced, "can
never hope 10 succeed for long In a
country like the United States. The
faction IN power has used every trick
10 maintain itself. The returns indi-
cate victory for deccncy. II is 10 be
hoped that the forces OF order VIII be
on guard 20 see that the fruits OF
victory are not snatehed from them by
illegal means"
What happened In Illinois In viewed
by the Louisville Courier Journal as -
signal demonstration OF the fact that 4
long suffering people. once aroused by
the excuses Of gangster rule, are invin~
clble even against the arts Of the most
IGepEtahE NADDkA anu EutHhIht 4HE
Cincinnati Times-Star declares "The
American people make lot OF mistakes
IN politics. But when II comes 10 a
| time Of real crisis they are reasonably
| sure 10 think straight That iA the
chief reason why democracy In America
has been the great success IL has been
| up 10 the present writing
Until the guilible goof Ii made aware
OF hiB folly and the sour cynic given
reason 10 believe that his participation
| In civic affairs may count for some
| thing existing conditions may continue
| 10 make Chicago the political paradise
| ot the detnagogue. the rogue. the un~
| prineipled peddler OF patronage and the
| out t-and~out criminal. Happily, II now
| appears that there has been some im-
| proVement over there"
THE result Is heartening In other
| States" states the Nashville Banner,
which looks upon 1t as warning to
| politicians In high places that the people
| are bee0ninl aroused and that c0Trlp~
| ti0n is no longer conddnable," while the
| MllWaukee journal points out that 1T
| is 10 be noted that this year corruption
| Is not dead issue and inertia Is not
| guaIantaelng dividends IA those who
| have machines"
The popular victory over gang rule"
| u nthGtiDen Dy the akron hehfnh Jour
| nal AS mot surpassed for magnitude
since New York smashed the Tweed
| ring" and that paper adds 1T has
had the instant effect everywhere
| throughout the Nation of uulckenlng
public confidence in government"
| The Philadelphia Record offers The
comment Undoubtedly a main eauae
0f the overthrow ~ iiig Hlllism was
| Thompson himself fig hia lnetfabiu
| hluEtef, believing ana bunk he had
made the community not only notorious
bat Ridiculous and the result Was Al
much population Of his offensive