TREND AWAY FROM DEMOCRATS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21190, 10 November 1938, Page 7

TREND AWAY FROM DEMOCRATS

VOTE OF AMERICANS AT POLLS President’s Gains and Losses Grip on Congress Not Weakened Rebuffs in State Polls United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 9, 9.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, November 8. Suffering important losses, but nevertheless holding strength remarkably well in several vital contests, notably New York, Kentucky and Maryland, President Roosevelt and the Democratic Party came through the national election with losses which may or may not be numerically large in Congress, but which definitely show a significant trend towards the Republicans, principally in the capture by them of several States which have been Democratic since 1932, and the sharp reduction in the Democratic popular majorities. It would however, be misleading to say that the nation is not still 51 per cent pro-Roosevelt and pro-New Deal. Fantastic Touch The necessary fantastic touch was given the elections when the news from Kentuncy indicated that six people had died and three were lying as the result cf the most violent election day fighting for many years. SUCCESSES AND LOSSES EBB AND FLOW OF CONTEST SWING OF VOTES United Press Association— By Electric Teiecrapb—Copyright (Received November 9, 8.20 p.m.) NEW YORK, November tf. With the pivotal election of Governor Lehman and Senator Wagner in New York, the leading New Deal legislator, apparently assured, seemed to indicate that the Roosevelt luck was holding out. Surprise Results The returns still promise unexpected surprises in results, one of which is the re-election of Senator Tydings, of Maryland, whom President Roosevelt openly opposed in the Democratic primaries, and the defeat of Congressman O’Connor, of New York, whom the President drove out from the Democratic Party, and who was defeated to-day, although running as a Republican. Some Surprises Altogether this election will be a victory for President Roosevelt, but with some important qualifications. Another unpleasant surprise for President Roosevelt was the apparent election of a Republican Governor for Massachussetts, a strong Irish Catholic Democrat stronghold, Leverett Saltonstall, the so-called “blue stocking” antl-New Deal candidate, defeating the veteran Democrat politician James Curley. News from New York State continued clrieringly for President Roosevelt, for although Governor Lehman's plurality over Attorney-General Dewey, seemed only 70,000, Senator Wagner’s appeared to be 500, and another New Deal supporter, James Mead, also ■eemed elected second Democratic Senator. From New York, the news continued to be mixed with heartening, mingling with the disheartening. Senator Clark, Democrat for Missouri, one of President Roosevelt’s sharpest critics was elected by a lege majority. On the other hand, Senator Barkley, the Democratic leader of the Senate, appeared to be de-elected for Kentucky by a heavy majority. Wins and Losses One of the worst results against President Roosevelt was the reported defeat of Governor Murphy, Democrat, Michigan, who staunchly was supported by President Roosevelt, and who was noted for the carrying out of the New Deal labour policies in dealing with the General Motors strikes last year. Defeat is also indicated of Senator Duffy, a New Deal supporter in Wisconsin. The re-election of Governor Cross, Democrat, Ccnnectlcut. and the election of Herbert O’Connor, a moderate New Dealer, as Governor of Maryland, displacing the Republican, Harry Nice, are considered distinct Rooseveltian victories. A minor Roosevelt defeat was seen in the displacement 01 Robert Quinn, Democrat, as Governor of Rhode Island by William Vanderbilt, Republican. From Two Angles The most significant aspect of returns so far, is the iact that the democratic victories, wherever they occurred, were achieved with considerably smaller majori’ie. than in 1936, indicating an unmistakable trend away from Democrats, which was freely predicted before the election. This is being variously interpreted as depending on the predilection of the commentator. Thus the chief Washington correspondent of “The New York Times,” Arthur Krock, says: “The Republican Party once more becomes the major party in the nation,” while the Washington correspondent of the United Press says: “Although the voting trend was away from the New Deal triumphs of 1932, 1934 and 1936, there is no ground so far to suggest the repudiation of the Roosev It Administration. Increases were apparently assured fir Republican voting strength in the industrial east and the farm belt, were almost inevitably to be accompanied

by Congressional and gubernatorial fains.” Results to Date The normal turnover in the House cf Republican faith, would be in the neighbourhood of 50 seats. Some Democratic Senate strength could be sacrificed, without much significance, but the definitive tabulations remain to be set down in the Congressional returns. HOW THE STATES VOTED DEMOCRATIC GAINS AND LOSSES United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received November 9, 11.35 p.m.) NEW YORK, November 9. Vermont, traditionally republican reelected a republican governor and a Senator Representative. Oregon returned to the republican faith, electing an antl-New Deal governor and a republican state administration, as well as two United States Senators Holman and Barry. New Hampshire re-elected a republican governor and elected republican Senator Tobey, and two republican representatives. lowa elected a republican governor, but a democratic nominee for the senatorship, Gillette is leading his republican opponent. South Dakota appears to have elected Gurney and Pyle the republican nominees for the Senate. Support for President Striking victories for President Roosevelt Included the election in Illinois of a democratic senator, Scott Lucas, a democratic governor and a state administration, and contingent to Congress. Indianapolis has apparently reelected democratic Senator VannuyS, and two republican and two democratic congressmen. Nevada re-elected democratic Senator McCarran and a democratic governor. Utah elected democratic Senator Hayden and a democratic governor. Tennessee elected democratic Senator Tom Stewart and a democratic governor. Interesting Verdicts California elected a democratic governor and Senator Stewart Downey, although it defeated the 30-dollar weekly “ham and egg” pension plan. North Dakota incidentally carried a referendum establishing a 40-dollar minimum monthly pension for all over sixty years of age, regardless of need. The solid South, as was expected returned completely democratic tickets, including Florida, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Arakansas, Virginia, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Alabama, Texas. New Jersey appeared to have elected republican Senator Warren Barbour. The State of Washington re-elected democratic Senator Bone, and a full state ticket. President’s Control of Congress That President Roosevelt’s control of Congress has hardly been shaken, can Fi ieen in the fact that despite repub-

lican inroads, the democratic chairmen of nine important House Committees, only one of whom opposed the President in crucial measures, have been re-elected, including foreign affairs, agriculture, ways and means, naval affairs, etc. California has elected a democratic governor for 45 years. State of Parties Senate Democrats 72 Republicans 19 Independents 4 Doubtful 1 House of Representatives Democrats 221 Republicans 100 Independents 2 Doubtful 112 MORE REPUBLICAN VICTORIES REVERSALS OF DEMOCRATS MOUNT UP United Press Association—By Electric Tel egraph—Copyright (Received November 9, 9.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, November 8. Serious reversals for President Roosevelt continued to mount during the night, with, however, a considerable number of coups on his behalf. Notable Republican Victories Among the first group were a clean sweep of Republican victories in Pennsylvania, re-electing Senator Davis, defeating Governor Earle, President Roosevelt’s close friend and aspirant for Senatorship, and electing a Republican Governor and several Congressmen. In Kansas, Clyde Reed (Republican) defeated Senator McGill (Democrat), and a Republican Governor was elected. This is considered the expression of the Mid-West Agrarians against the Government’s farm policy. An entire Republican State Administration was also elected in Kansas. Senator Bulkley, of Ohio, a noted Roosevelt supporter, was defeated by Robert Taft, son of a former President. The election of a Wisconsin Republican Governor and the Republican, Alexander Wiley, as Senator, and the defeat of the Governor, and the Republican, Alexander Wiley, as Senator, and the defeat of Governor Phil la Follette, a Roosevelt supporter, indicate the State’s repudiation, also of the La Follette third party movement, organised last April. Colorado elected a Republican Governor, but re-elected Senator Adams (Democrat). North Dakota re-elected Senator Nye (Republican).