THE AMERICAN ELECTIONS

Waikato Times, Volume 108, Issue 18169, 6 November 1930, Page 6

THE AMERICAN ELECTIONS

Another Government has fallen. The Democratic Party of the United States of America has had a series of not unexpected but none the less astonishing, victories over the Republicans. Under the somewhat peculiar system of Government in the North American Republic this will not mean the actual overthrow of the present Government at , Washington, but its control will be lessened to a point where it will find difficulty in carrying legislation of Republican intent. The reason for this remarkable volte face on the part of the American electorate may be put down in part to the depression from which the Republic in common with the rest of the world is suffering, and like the populace of other countries it lias attached the blame on the party in power at its incubis. How the Governments in these cases can be held to blame is not easy to understand, nevertheless the past few months has seen a record of defeated Governments ih four Continents. The changes in Anglo Saxon nations and the countries of Europe have- taken place peacefully through the ballot, but in Latin America, with the exception of Colombia, through recourse to arms. The results of the depression in the United States are made all the more manifest by the fact that not only did the change of opinion affect the Federal Government at Washington, but the State Governments as well, in nearly all of which Democratic victories in some office or other were recorded. Perhaps the most- noteworthy occurrence was the reversion of the Southern States to their age long allegiance of the Democratic Party after forsaking it in appreciation of what Mr Hoover had done in his prepolitical days for the country below the Mason Dixon line. Their faith in him has been severely shaken, although any faults in his administration can rather be laid to the blame of the party, than to the man. President Hoover surrounded himself with the types of men, political and otherwise, who have not justified his choice, and have, in fact, practically ignored his leadership and ourbed him in his intentions. There again it is not the party, but the men in control. A significant sidelight on the elections was the startling proof of growing antiprohibition sentiment. The Commonwealth of Massachusets, and the States of Illinois and Rhode Island have voted “ wet ’’ thereby increasing the number of States which did not vote in favour of the Valstead /Act, or have since voted for its repeal. In the House of Representatives the “ wets ’ have won 28 seats, giving them a majority of 26. Some of the chief supporters of the anti-prohibition came from the ranks of the Democratic Party so to this as well may be attributed a measure of the party’s success. . The term of President Hoover's office has still two years to run, and although the present election may be a just guide to the feelings of the country and party matters, at the moment, a return to prosperity before 1932 might conceivably alter the whole political’ outlook.