U.S.A. ELECTIONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 October 1924, Page 3

U.S.A. ELECTIONS.

LATEST CABLE NEWS

]NT EI{ESTI NG DEVELOPMENT,

NEW YORK, Oct. 10

The Presidential campaign entered into a familiar phase when Senator La Eollette cliarggfi the Republicans with having collected what he called a “campaign slush fund” of lour ti* six million dollars, in order to buy their election; and Senator Borah (Chairman of a Special Senatorial Committee) to-day begun an inquiry into the campaign contributions, The liiiauri.nl managers of two candidates testified revealing that the Republicans, to date, had received 1.71 1.- ()“!) dollars, and Senator La Eolette I!X,,L.')A while the Democratic receipts are still litirevcaled,

It is interesting to note* that one (diewing gum manufacturer contributed twenty-live thousand dollars to Senator Dawes, and ten thousand dollars to the Republican funds. Other interesting phases of the campaign are the nomination of two women for State Governorships, Mrs Miriam Ferguson (Texas) and Mrs Nellie Ross (Wyoming). Both are Democrats. F. S. Secretary Hughes has actively entered the lists nil behalf of Air Roosevelt, of New York, making many forceful speeches outlining the Republican Administration’s accomplishments, and declaring President Coolidge will save the country from Radicalism. President Coolidge maintains a general aloofness, declining engagements to address meetings in other cities, licit making occasional speeches befoio visiting bodies in Washington, dealing with, chiefly, abstract subjects, such as the value of religion, the necessity of business honour, the adviscablenoss of maintaining American constitutional traditions, the unwisdom of interferring with private enterprises, and tin* benefits accruing from healthy recreatTons. Senator La Eollette and All's Bairs (Democratic Presidential Candidate) continue their tours through the cniuitrv.

Senator La Eolette is stressing the debacle of agriculture, the iniquities of Wall St.,'and the urgency of (iovernment ownership of the railways and mines.

Air Davies is keenly watching the speeches of the other candidates, and is everywhere making replies, and challenging attacks. H is worth while to note, however, that observers travelling through the political battle area now varv exiremcly in their ooiiiioiis as l<> the relative strength of the contenders. THE CANDIDATES. FOR THE PRESIDENCY. Calvin Coolidge (Republican). .lolin William Davis (Democrat). Robert M. la Enllette (Independent). EOR THE VICE-PRESIDENCY. Charles (!. Dawes (Republican). Charles A\‘. Bryan (Democrat). Burton K. AVliceler (Indcpcndcul). The candidature of Senator la Eollette lias several unusual features. Nominally a Republican, be lias long been at variance with bis party at important points of policy, lie attended the Republican Convention, and with b:s followers from Wisconsin formed the only dissident element during Hie enthusiasti,c nomination of President Coolidge. Afterwards he was nominated by the Committee for Progressive Political Action, which held a conference at Cleveland, lint be lias declared that bis candidature is independent. ami that a third party will not he formed until after the election, and then only if criciimstances warrant its formation. Fader hi- banner have rallied dissatisfied Rejmblians and Democrats, Socialists. Communists, and. most important of all. the American Federation of Labour, which hits three million members. Senator la Enllette will probably not be elected, but if “straw ballots” afford any indication, he will secure more votes than the Democrat candidate. In any event His candidature makes the result of the election extremely uncertain. and there is the possibility that be may create the unprecedented situation of no candidate having a majority. in which ease Congress will be called on to choose a President.