WOODROW WILSON

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 137, 6 December 1912, Page 4

WOODROW WILSON

AMERICAN ELECTION POLICIES AND INTENTIONS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) SAN FBANCISCO, 13th Nov, The voters oi the United .States, in electing as their President Governor Woodrow Wilson, of New Jersey, h&ve lor the third tinie in the last half<cen* tury, turned to the Democratic Party for leadership. Since the Civil War the Democrats have boasted Only one other President. Grover Cleveland, who \vas twice elected, but not for successive terms. The victory of President-elect Wilson is especially notable for the fact, that he sweeps into power with him a Democratic-controlled Senate and House of Representatives. The party has never hpfore been accorded complete power in the arena" of national government. During all of Cleveland's occupancy of White House one or other of the branches of the Legislature was dominated by the Republican Party_. Therefore, for the first time in its history the Democratic Party is accorded an opportunity to demonstrate whether or hot it is a party of constructive statesmanship, or, as its opponents have always insisted, a party of criticism ftnd negation. Mr Tnft, who stillhas four months in office before Mr. Wilson replaces him, Hakes his defeat ■ phifdsc-phically. "It might have been worse,;' he sflys, and lets his friends know that he would much rather see Woodrow Wilson in White House than Theodore Roosevelt. Such is the -breach between these oldtime colleagues and close personal friends. Mr. Taft says he will go back to the practice of the law to earn his livelihood, but will give as much of his time as he can spare to the task of reconstructing ,the Republican party. It is his view that the party should seek\ the favour of the people as "the party that supports the Constitution." But it is a seriotis question whether or not the Republican party is not a tiling of history as a party. It has been going to pieces before the eyes of all men for the last three years. The Progressive element under the leadership of men like Roosevelt, Johnson, BeVeridge and others is plainly in the ascendant, and the standpatters' seemed doomed to extinction within the near future. On the other hand, the old-line Republicans assert that the Progressive party is a one-man party, that man bein*- Theodore Roosevelt, and that with "Teddy" eliminated, as they claim his defeat has eliminated the Progressives will drift iflfco inanition. Bitter strife in the next year or two will be engendered by the struggle for recognition as the official opposition to the victorious Democrats. In Woodrow Wilson the United States undoubtedly has for' President a man' of high ideals and high attainments, both in scholarship and practical statesmanship. As governor of New Jersey he had a habit of getting his own way by appealing to the people against the profes* sional politicians, and by this me&hs secured the passage of much progressive legislation. He is absolutely unencumbered by questionable alliances', and "although what is required of him makes his position a difficult one, he stands an excellent chance of making for himself a reputation as one of the great presidents of the United States, Since polling day ■ Presiderit'eledt Wilson has been a sphinx. " For some months T will be found the best listener in tluf United States/ he says. This is in reply to questions as to whether he proposes to call a special session of Congress as soon as he assumes power, and as to the personnel of his Cabinet. J*or the naXt two weeks he proposes W> apply himself to State matters, in his position as Governor of New Jersey. Then he is going on a sea trip of several wesks for resb and recuperation- from the effects of his strenuous campaign. After that the matter of forming his , Cabinet and other preliminary matters will probably occupy his time until 4th March, when he assumes office as President of the United States. Rumour — and nothing but rumour— says that William Jennings Bryan wilhbe Secretary of State, the highest Cabinet position. On the same questionable authority Champ Clark (Speaker of the House of Representatives), Oscar Underwood (who was _ a candidate for the Presidential nomination), and Governor Hal-mon (Ohio) are mentioned as possible Cabinet members. The President-elect asserts that he has not yet- even considered' th 6 matter of the constitution of his Cabinet.