POLITICS IN AMERICA.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 November 1922, Page 5

POLITICS IN AMERICA.

A CHANGE OF FEELING. DEMOCRATS CAIN SEATS. VICTORY FOR SOME ‘-WETS.” By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Received Nov. 8, 9.35 p.m. New York, Nov. 8. While a political landslide such as resulted in the Republican victory in 1920 cannot be expected, substantial nationwide returns shortly before midnight on election day showed vast Democratic gains in Congress and State offices. The Republicans, who expected to hold their strength in the Senate, and possibly gain one or two members, now appear to have lost important States in New Jersey and New York. The Democratic candidate for the Senate (Mr. Edwards) on the light wines and beer platform, opposed Mr. Freling Huysen for re-election to the Senate for New Jersey. Mr. Freling Huysen is a personal friend o-f President Harding, and a strong Administration man. Mr. Copeland opposed Mr. Calder in New York for re-election to the Senate. Mr. Copeland appears to have been carried to victory, which signalised the success of the Democrats in New York, the Democratic Gubernatorial candidate (Mr. Smith) winning over the Republican (Mr. Miller) by half a million majority in this, the largest State of the Union.

Mr. H. C. Lodge, at Massachusetts, the grand old man the Senate, appears to be doing badly on the basis of the early returns, and is in danger of being defeated by Mr. Gaston (Democrat). This would be the most strange reversal of the election. Ohio, President Harding’s own State, appears to have gone Democratic, for Mr. Pomeren is leading Mr. Fess for re-election to the Senate. Mr. Fess is a close personal friend of President Harding. Ohio incidentally appears to have voted two to one in favour of light wines and beers. Chicago also gave mi overwhelming majority in favour of light winos .and beer, though the complete State of Illinois is doubtful regarding beverage. The Republican candidate for the Senate from Indiana appears to be defeated by the Democratic candidate (Mr. Ralston). West Virginia appears to have elected a Democrat (Mr. Neely) over the Republican Senator (Mr. Southerland), who ran for re-election. Mr. Bruce (Democrat) is leading the Republican (Senator France.) in Maryland. Pennsylvania, which is normally Republican, stayed Republican by the election of two Senators, one to take the place of a Senator who died. Connecticut, ’lllinois, and California stayed Republican, Senator Johnson, the socalled Radical Republican of the henate, being re-elected , for the latter State. Senator Hitchcock (Nebraska) appears to be the only Democratic Senator running for re-election to be defeated, hits successful opponent being Mr. Howel 1 , who had the support of the Non-Par-tisan League. This is a farmers’ organisation, having State Socialism for its programme. The best estimates indicate a Democrat gain of six seats in the Senate. The Democratic victory in the House of Representatives is now believed to be so considerable that there is a danger that the Republican majority will be reduced to less than thirty. The Democrats appear to have gained at least sixty seats, and probably more. Five to fifteen women running for Congress are known to be defeated. It is pointed out that with the reduced majority end the existing dissensions in the Republican ranks, the Democrats may be able to take the legislative leadership from the Republicans in the House of Representatives. President Harding announces that, a special Congress session will be called for November 20 to consider the Ship Subsidv Bill and the Anti-Lynching Bill, which the House have already passed, and the farmers’ long term credits.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

LATER RETURNS. THE PROHIBITION ISSUE. “WETS’’ WIN WHERE TESTED. Received Nov. 8, 11.55 p.m. New York, Nov. 8. Later returns show only the following changes. Mr. Lodge was elected by a small plurality. Mr. Fess is now leading Mr. Pomeren and will probably win the Ohio Senatorship, otherwise the Democratic gains are increasing. Kansas, which showed 179.000 Republican plurality in 1920, now shows forty thousand Democratic plurality. Mr. La Follette, . another of the famous Radical Republican Senators, was re-elected. Senator Rex, who was attacked by ex-President Wilson, was re-elected for Missouri. The only woman Congressional representative was defeated for re-election by a. Democrat in Oklahoma.

The “wets” appear to have worn .wherever the issue was tested. In. Illinois there was an overwhelming majority’ for light wines and beer. A measure for the enforcement of prohibition was defeated in. California, Massachusetts. Representative Volstead, of Minnesota, author of the Volstead prohibition law, will probably be defeated for re-election. Representative Hill, the most outspoken leader of the “wets'’ in Congress, was re-elected from Maryland, Hageman, running for Congress in Owa on a “wet” platform was elected by a large majority. The New York Times, which is Democratic in national policy, commenting on the election, says it was not the tariff or the League of Nations that defeated the Republicans, but a mass of various dissatisfactions, cross-currents, and diverse local issues.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.