The American Elections.

Maoriland Worker, Volume 3, Issue 44, 12 January 1912, Page 14

The American Elections.

SOCIALIST SUCCESS. SOME PUESS OPINIONS. (from the Chicago "Daily Socialist.") The Peoria "Star," 111., which has been a bitter opponent of Socialism, sees the handwriting on the wall, and admits in the following editorial that Socialism is a factor that must be reckoned with hi tho future American politics: "The Socialists nearly captured the mayoralty of Los Angeles, and in the municipal elections in England they have made great gains in Liverpool, Leeds, Manchester and other cities. "Socialism is held lip as a bogie by all the regular politicians from Taft down, but wherever they have obtained control, notably in Milwaukee, they have shown an earnest desire for good government, and their measures have redoutided to the benefit of the common people and against graft. Emperor William of Germany was broad enough to sco the tendency of the times, and recognised that Socialism is a factor to be dealt with and not a movement to bo crushed." The "Times" of Oklahoma admits that the Socialist movement js the "most persistent movement of this generation." and, referring to the recent Socialist victories, says: "The march of Socialism is the feature of tho election. From California to Maine this thorn in the flesh seems to push deeper into the body politic, and to evidence its growth by not only festering but in becoming pestiferous. The Socialist movement has been the most persistent and the most dangerous of thii generation. If there is any feature of all elections that should have the attention of the leader's of both old parties in America it is the growth af Socialism." AH sorts, of reasons for tho great increase in the Socialist vote are being given by the capitalist papers. The following is taken from the Burlington (Iow;v)i "Flawkeye" :— "A 'sitffiitieaut' result of yesterday's "lootio>i wan tho marked increase, in

the Socialist strength. In ten cities itt Ohio Socialist- mayors wore elected, and in other States the vote of that party showed a definite increase. ''There is one unmistakable cause for this growth of the Socialist movement in this country, although numerous explanations are given. It is the result of the factional conflict in both tho old parties, hxl by 'insurgents,' who have waged relentless war on the loaders of their party for the purpose of shaking their influence and themselves gaining party control, not hesitating to impute to them crimes against the 'common people.' "The masses have been led to believe that no man in high public office is honest, and even the President of the United States has been accused by a leading Democratic aspirant for that high office with having packed the Supreme Court to do his bidding. "It is the talk of such men as Bryan, La Follette, Clapp, Cummins, Bristow, Murdoch, and others against public men of fully their equal in personal and political integrity, that has driven many an honest voter in disgust from tho Republican and Democratic parties into Socialism." In speaking of the election, the Richmond (Va.) "Times-Dispatch" says:— "Undoubtedly the most unlooked-for result of Tuesday's elections was tho remarkable increase in the Socialist strength throughout the country. Political leaders are scratching their heads and trying to account for it, but economic unrest seems to be the only plausible, hypothesis. From North, South, East and West come reports of notahln victories for the Socialist party. "Representative Rcrger of Wisconsin', the Socialist member of the National House of Representatives, predicts that the Socialist Party will poll '2,000,000 votes in the next presidential election. They polled IXI,OOO votes in 1802, when they first wont into national campaigns, and if Rerger's prediction is. true, tho Socialist increase in L'O years will he almost. 10,000 per cent. "The loaders. «f all otl-er parties concede now that in roekoniiia political «v milts, next year the Socialists must be s.eriunsly S?«cia-ii*.iit is inivr a riHi.diii.i.u. not <t chewy'. v