Milford chronicle., 1954-11-05
Believe Local Not
National Issues Caused
DelGLUGre To Go HeaU-
iJy Democratic
(oontinued Ion fIrst 80

~ N+teL
CONTINUED rrom first page)
which many did not use. According
10 the Democrats, outside influence
was at a minimum-because of the
use Of voting machines.
This influence in many cases was
simply that Of political workers
asking a neighbor to vote his way.
and handing him a marked ballot
The request were still being made
as usual last Tuesday, but in the
absence of the marked ballot, the
voter was freer to use his own
/ Judgment in the privacy Of the vOt-
ing machine, the Democrats figure.
| Other outside influence, they con-
tinue, included efforts to pressure
relatives and friends of political
/ Jobholders and efforts to influence
votes with money. In all these ef-
forts, there was less ability to check
up on the results in the absence of
marked ballots, the Democrats
figure.
New Registration
Similarly, they think that the
new registration-in spite Of some
Of the alleged Irregularities on
which they have been so vocal-is
far more accurate listing of the
eligible Delaware voters than has
been in use for years. The Demo-
Gratis think this further cut down on
phantom voting, And while they
privately do not claim to be lily
white in this field, they think they
were always greatly Out-distanced
by the more Opulent Republicans.
and have prOfted by a cleaner cleo
ton.
Republicans, on the other hand,
point out that there were big shifts
in voting in districts where fraud
can not be considered as a fac
tor. There must be other answers.
therefore.
One of the other answers, il is
generally agreed is the segregation
dispute; but various observers at |
tach different weights to its impor-
tance. Some observers think that
the Republican state administration
was given the blame for the fact
that the question of integratiOn |
was allowed to arise at this time. |
and that dissatisfaction with the /
administration was taken out on
the Republican candidates, partic- !
ularly in the Kent and Sussex vot-
ing.
Others agree and add that in
New Castle County voters felt the |
state administration moved too |
slowly. Thus the Republican leaders
OF the state were caught in the /
middle in matter which was never I
debated in the campaign, which .
the Democrats studiously avoided,
and which no candidate was in a
position tO'dO anything about.
Increased State Taxes
Most Of the observers consulted
felt that Delaware voters also ex-
pressed dissatisfaction with the
state administration increases in
taxes. Republicans said the admin
stratiOn had to boost taxes. and the
objections were not we'll founded.
but that the administration failed
to explain fully to the public why
more money was needed and where
It was going Another Republican
said. along the same line, that "Our
party is handled as an ivory tower
prOpOsitiOn-there's not enough de-
sire to do anything for the people,"
Turning to national matters, the
think that John o.
Public figures the corporations and
the bigger taxpayers got a better
deal from the national administra-
ton than he did, and was ready to
file a strong objection.
When it comes to political party
organization, the dOpesters figure
ne Republicans spent a lot of money
to help get people registered, but
did not do a particularly good lob
on election day. The Democrats. +
on the other hand smelled vic
tory and we're better organized
than usual, which is not handing
them much Of a compliment in
many sections.
So, for a variety of reasons. after
0elng driven to the registration
place in a Republican car to regis
er, and after reading gOod-looking
republican campaign material, and
icing exposed to a well organized
Of Republican advertising,
md radio and television brOadcasts
.ohn Q. Public went forth in the
ain and voted Democratic.
AS one Democratic worker nut
t: People you normally couldn't
ret out to vote, they walked out in
he rain without being asked"