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Evening Star, Issue 13092, 27 October 1908, Page 4

The contrast between methods of electioneering in the United Amattnr States and those in vogue "Spellbinders." i n Britain, though not so marked as tbey formerly were, have some points of difference that are sufficiently striking. Englishmen would be amazed if the members of the House of Lords and of the Judicial Bench were to take to the platform on behalf of one or other of the great political parties. In the United States, however, both Senators and Judges, if they possess oratorical ability, are sent on tour, or, to use their own phraseology, "on the stump," on behalf of the party's nominees. What is known as the "spellbinder" is in great request during Presidential campaigns. There are many men who, though quite unknown outside the United States, havo by their debating and platform powers gained themselves a national reputation. It is on the " spellbinders" that the party managers rely in times of stress. Tho ablest of them follow up, stage by stage and town by town, the opposing candidate. Wherever Mr Bryan or Mr Taft may speak, a few hours later the'brightest and wittiest "spellbinder" in the National Committee's employ will there essay to answer the arguments of the Presidential candidate from the same platform. In .1896 Mr Bryan was thus followed all over the country, tho Republicans paying their chosen orator LOOOdol (£200) every time that he stepped on the stage. Possibly, a thousand " spellbinders " have been speaking at least once a week for the past two months. In addition to hotel and travelling expenses, each man will possibly draw on an average £2O a speech. Over and above these commitments there are the large number of men who speak for the love of the cause, and who make no charge whatever for their eervices. They include Senators, Judges, and even Cabinet Ministers—that is the men who are independent of personal anxiety as to their own future. The departure, therefore, of the whole of the members of the Cabinet to stump the country under the directing brain and popular spell of the President himself is not a wholly new one, though the manner of it is somewhat dramatic—perhaps intentionally so. One Tecalls the contrast between the American politican of to-day and his British forerunner of forty years ago. On the eve of the dissolution of Parliament in 1868 Tenniel represented Disraeli standing with outstretched arm swearing his colleagues to loyalty and obedience, and, remember, he cries: "No starring in the Provinces!" The modem Transatlantic way is to make all Ministers " stars," and to insist that each shall do his " turn."