U.S.A. ELECTIONS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 3 November 1924, Page 7

U.S.A. ELECTIONS

KU KLUX KLAN AND PROHIBITION. THE IMPORTANT ISSUE. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. Received Nov. 3, 1.30 p.m. NEW YORK, Nov. 1. Mr Hughes struck a veritable keynote, when speaking to-night. He reiterated the argument which so potently swung the pendulum for the Republicans. He said: However difficult it may be to prescribe political remedies for economic ills, there is an easy political road for economic distress. People knew that to-day the condition's of prosperity are being safeguarded and business is safe.” Mr Gompers to-night issued a final appeal to Labour to vote for La. Follette. Women, despite their nominations for Governors and for the House of Representatives do not appear to have played a really important part in the campaign. it is questioned whether they yet successfully utilised their power at the polls to -assure their adequate, participation in the making of issues or the designating of important candidates. Comment also centres on the relationship of a Republican Presidential victory to ' the political complexion of Congress, which-last session flaunted Coolidge in respect to soldiers’ bonus taxation, etc. The Republicans claim between 248 and 265 members in the new House, but will this mean legislative unanimity. Local issues meanwhile, dominate the Congressional campaign. Among interesting contests for senatorial seats is. one in Massachusetts, where Speaker Gillette, of the House of Representatives, is contesting it with the incumbent, Senator David Walsh. Massachusetts being a Coolidge State, and Gollette being the President’s choice, the outcome is considered to be important. Senator Edge, New Jersey, is seeking re-elec-tion. The Ku Klux Klan and prohibition are playing the biggest .part. Here Edge is receiving the opposition of the Anti-Saloon League. In Oklahoma the contest is extremely bitter. Ex-Governor Walton (Democrat), who was impeached through the Klu Klux Klan activities, opposes WPine, the millionaire oilman, who is receiving Klan support. Capper is believed to he certain of re-election in Kansas.

Magnus Johnson (farmer and Labourite) is seeking re-election for Minnesota, being opposed by Thomas Scail who has gained large support, diie to his. blindness.

Brockhart, ostensibly a Republican, is seeking re-election for lowa, but is campaigning against Coolidge. Dawes Norris, in Nebraska, is in an exactly similar situation. Borah is certain of re-election for Idaho.

YYalsh in Montana, is working hard for re-election. His revelations in the oil scandals are playing an important part in the campaign. . With all signs indicating Coolidge’s a'scendancy.there is some questioning concerning its, degree of decisiveness. The Republicans are the only party claiming that its candidates are certain'of success, and bohst that Coolidge will obtain at least 300 electoral votes, only 266 being necessary for the choice. Observers are dividing the country into three general categories—north, south and west.. Thb iiioicautions are that group one, haying 2-46. electorate votes, and containing Maine. New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island,. New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin and Vermont, will probably “give Coolidge 225 votes. The second group, including Minnesota, lowa, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Nebraska, Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Oregon, and Washington, totalling 108 votes, is expected to give Coolidge the remaining 75.

The third group con tains the socalled borders and Southern States, namely* Maryland, West Virginia, ICen> t'ucky, Tennessee, and Missouri, totalling .59 votes, whose political sentiments are undermined. The remaining States and the so-called “solid south,” with 124 votes, are absolutely Davis’s. The Republicans are content that Davis should obtain between 171 and 183 of the total votes and La. Follette between 48 and 60.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.