Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-04
Election Day.

The American electorate today is pick
ing its National House of Representa-
tives, more than one-third of the men,
bership of the Senate, Governors in 30
States, State Legislatures and other
State and county officers. In every
great city of the Nation, save Washing
ton, the polls are open for the people
to register their choice of officials who
shall conduct their Government.
An unusual amount of interest at
taches to this "off-year" election. APP
prevail or disapproval Of the Hoover adj
ministration hangs in the balance. The
historic battle between the Republican
and Democratic parties Is about to be
decided temporarily. The clash between
proponents Of national prohibition and
It's opponents is more severe than 1t has
been for years. In several States the
contests for chief executive are in the
national spotlight.
In measure the people are to decide
whether they prefer to continue the
policies of the Hoover administration
through the next two years or desire to
turn away to the Democrats. The cleo
ton of Democratic House or Senate,
or both, would effectually tie the hands
Of the President, in all probability, so
far as his legislative program is con-
cerned. The control Of Congress by the
opposition party has usually been at
tended by a do-nothing period of two
years. The opposition has before it
constantly a hope of winning the presi-
dency and national control Of the en-
tire Government, legislative and execu-
tive. The people are determining today
whether they prefer to go along with
the Hoover policies, framed with the
purpose Of bringing the country again
into state of greater prosperity, or
whether they prefer to turn their backs
on these policies.
Resentment because of business de-
preston, hard times and unemploy-
ment exists among the voters. They are
likely to record this resentment III the
election today. Perhaps rather blintly.
They have been told again and again
by the Democratic speakers that the
Republican party leaders promised
them q continuance of prosperity in
the 1928 political campaign, If they
would return the Republicans to Of
fee. It must not be forgotten, how
ever, that the Democrats in 1928 In
sisted that if their party were placed in
power, there would be no lack of busl-
ness. Indeed, the Democrats insisted
that, under their control Of the Gov
eminent, business would be even bet
ter than under the Republican admin
istration. Quite true, the voters did
not follow the advice Of the Democrats
and place them in once. To that ex-
tent the Democrats are clear Of the
muddle of promises unperformed. But
who today really believes that any adj
nninistration, Democratic or Repuhli-
can, could have prevented the stock
market crash? Economic forces, the
law Of supply and demand, were at
work which could not be halted in their
stride. The Republicans, however.
must bear the brunt of the resentment
arising against the changed conditions.
Had times remained good the q. o. P.
would have taken the credit.
1t is important that, under existing
conditions, the Government should be
in a position to act as wisely as pos
sible for the benefit of the people. The
conditions appear to be on the up
grade, though hard Winter is in
prospect. The voters must ask them
selves whether 1t is wise to change
horses in the middle Of such stream.
Or whether they wish to bring about
condition Of practical paralysis Of the
Government by turning over the legis-
lative branch Of the Government to
the party in opposition TO the Repub-
lican Executive.
Despite resentment at hard times,
despite the deep-seated divergence over
national prohibition, the voters of
America today are settling their diff
ferences with ballots, not bullets. In
a period when internal strife has been
rife among the nations Of the world
America can still find much cause for
congratulation.
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