Milford chronicle., 1943-11-12
Milford, Friday, November 1s, 194S

WHAT PROMISED at first to be
a quiet and little-noticed Off-year
election, except in the seven states
and a few hundred municipalities
where contests were held, turned
out to be a political event of first
rate national importance.
This was because Republican
candidates, members of the minor
ity in national councils, swept
through to victories and otherwise
impressive showings in four key
spots-winning the GOvernorships
of New Jersey and Kentucky. both
formerly held by Democrats, and
the Lieutenant-Govern in New
York and the Mayoralty in the city
of Philadelphia, hitherto occupied
by Republicans.
The results. when brought to-
gether into national perspective,
revealed definitely in the minds of
political leaders and observers that
the administration trend
which showed itself in the State
and Congressional elections in 1912
was still running the forces
which turned over more than two
score seats in the House. nine in
the Senate and four State admins
trations in favor of the Republi-
cans a year ago, were still oper-
ating.
Politicians examined the new
facts closely with view to finding
what they might indicate for the
Presidential sweepstakes in 1914.
What they discovered in that re-
spect was highly inconclusive, &c
say the least They were convinced
of one thing, however, and that
was that a reaction against the
ADMINISTRATION handling of home
front affairs was one of the chief
factors in the outcome. accounting
greatly for the unprotected major
tiles in New York and New Jersey,
and for the surprising turnover in
Democratic Kentucky.
There was abundant evidence,
both in the elections and the cam
paigns which preceded them. to
support this finding. Kentucky,
because of its diversity of voter
groups, furnished perhaps the best
of what took place
Figures showed that the greatest
dwindling of former Democratic
strengthen if increasing strength
of the Republicans-wa among
certain factions of labor, the farm
ers and negroes. and in the larger
areas of the state. On
the day the election was held Ken
lucky coal miners were out on
strike, giving them a holiday away
from work in which to vote and
preach the grievances behind their
acknowledgements which were
directed largely toward the han
lling of their case in Washington.
Kentucky farmers apparently
were dissatisfied with their con-
facts with governmental regula-
lions and what they considered the
red tape and conflicts of policy in
administering them ran into a we'll
night irrecOncilable conflict with
he farmers native conservatism,
md the Democratic losses in the
iarm vote in Kentucky were the
almost natural political result.
The upsurge of Republican
strength in the large consuming
lreas-take the case of Louisville,
which the Democrats figured to
AIRY by 10000 to $4,000 and ac- ;
ually did lose by small major {
to numerous observ-
RS that many consumers, particu-
arly women, voted their resentment
o the handling of rationing and [
rice control, though not necessar-
ly to the programs of control.
A return of an appreciable part I
# the negro vote to the Republi-
an fold was noted in some places,
md this may be attributed in a
MEASURE. though not wholly, to a
and disillusionment
mong negroes as to the purpose
r ability of the New Deal Admin
stration to guarantee them the
lace which they seek in the ma /
ions economic life, and particu-
arly in the war effort. s
The results of this years cleo
ions give the Republican party !
saders every reason to look hope
nlly to 1914 as a year of victory.
THE AMERICAN SERVICE man j
TI.. [