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LITICAL COURTESIES ID SUGGESTIONS

YINCE his election, Senator Harding has announced his intention of visiting the Panama Canal. omptly upon the publication of this ws, Secretary Daniels telegraphed on alf of President Wilson, offering esident-elect Harding the use of the yflower to transport him to Hampton ads and the use of a battleship to ry him thence to the Zone. This rtesy was graciously declined by Mr. rding in a telegram which cordially ressed his thanks for the offer. Secretary Daniels's suggestion was thy of the best American tradition he attitude which it manifested to'ds a political opponent. The tradiwas several times violated during campaign, but never by Senator rding. Secretary Baker has also ken for the War Department in ring full military courtesies to the sident-elect during his visit in the e and in offering to extend to a similar courtesy should he desire spect conditions along the Mexican ler.

lovernor Cox has issued an admirastatement, in which he expressed hope that the Democratic party ld co-operate with the new Admination and refrain from political >tage.

. suggestion which emanated from liam Jennings Bryan has deserved publicity which it has received. Bryan believes that, since the ion so overwhelmingly voiced its re for a Republican Administra

President Wilson should not wait 1 March 4 to resign the reins of e, but should now withdraw in ›r of Vice-President Marshall. Mr. rshall, Mr. Bryan suggests, couid 1 appoint Mr. Harding as Secre' of State, and in turn withdraw in favor, making Mr. Harding Presi

t.

o far as we can see, there would be ing unconstitutional in such a proire. It is interesting, not as a prob} course of action, but as an intion of the real flexibility in apparently inflexible Constitution. ler the British system, as Americans I know, when one party is defeated, opposing party at once comes into er. If Mr. Bryan's suggestion were

NOVEMBER 17, 1920

to be followed, the American type of government without any formal change could be made almost as responsive as that of Great Britain.

That Mr. Bryan has lost neither his fertility in political suggestion nor his sense of humor may be judged from this and the fact that he is also reported as saying, in substance: "I don't see how Governor Cox was so badly beaten when I didn't help him."

SENATOR HARDING AND THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

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URING the recent Presidential campaign there was a good deal of heated discussion about Senator Harding's attitude towards the principle of substituting for war in international disputes an appeal to reason and justice through the agency of a League of Nations. Some intelligent Americans were convinced that Mr. Harding's sympathies, if not his outspoken declarations, were for a policy of American isolation. We did not think So, and the results of the election indicate that the majority of the American people did not think so. How, then, did the impression get abroad among intelligent men, especially in university circles, that Mr. Harding was committed to a policy of "going it alone"?

We think the answer may be found in the headlines of the daily newspapers. In his much-discussed Des Moines speech, for example, Mr. Harding said in reply to Mr. Cox, and referring to the Covenant of the League of Nations, "I am not for clarification, but for rejection." The newspaper headlines reported this statement as follows: "Harding rejects the League outright." Readers jumped to the conclusion that this meant that he was against all association with other civilized nations in an attempt to enforce international law. But if they had read the speech itself capped by these startling headlines they would have found that Mr. Harding was referring, when he used the word "rejection," simply to the Covenant of the League of Nations as framed at Paris, for he continued with these words: "As soon as possible after my election I shall advise with the best minds in the United States, and especially I shall consult in advance with the Senate, with whom

by the terms of the Constitution I shall be bound to counsel and without whose consent no such international association can be formed, to the end that we shall have an Association of Nations for the promotion of international peace."

Another instance of misleading headlines is found in the report of Mr. Harding's significant speech at Marion, on November 4, to a group of his neighbors who had gathered to congratulate him on his victory. The newspaper headlines reporting this speech read as follows: "Harding declares the Versailles League is now deceased."" The natural inference of those who went no further than the headlines was that Mr. Harding was rejoicing over the fact that the movement for international peace had received a final and fatal blow. Those, however, who, with a justifiable distrust of headline writers, went on and read the complete address found that what he said was this:

I didn't see as much sorrow in your faces as I had apprehended. It's not that you or I question the desire of America to play its part; it's not that we question the high ideals of those who were responsible for the Versailles Covenant. You just didn't want a surrender of the United States of America, you wanted America to go on under American ideals. That's why you didn't care for the League which is now deceased.

America is playing a great part now. America is healing the heart of the old world to-night as no other nation, but there is more to do. There is a new world relationship, and when the next Administration comes into power we're going to play our part. We're going to ask for nations associated together in justice, but it shall be an association which surrenders nothing of American freedom.

The lesson is that, while the American headline writer is usually clever and interesting, he cannot be depended upon for all the facts. The man who scans the headlines and thinks he has the news of the day is not infrequently apt to be misled.

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of that State. The proposed Amendment provided that all children between the ages of five and sixteen should be compelled to attend the public schools. A clear-sighted and impartial correspondent in Michigan informs us that the movement which led to the framing of this Amendment was aimed directly at the Roman Catholic Church and was designed to close its parochial schools. Protestant schools, however, were also involved, the Lutheran, Adventist, and Christian Reformed Churches all having parochial day schools. Perhaps the supporters of the Amendment did not realize the sweeping effect it might have on the general course of education, but if it had passed all the secular private schools in the State would have been closed. The Secretary of State

For the public school system, the greatest of all American institutions and the unique contribution that the American people have made to the history of democracy, will be greatly weakened, perhaps even destroyed, if the school moneys are divided, diverted, or paid over to private teachers and boards of management. Provided that universal taxation for school purposes is maintained and the right of the State to determine the minimum standards of education is unabridged, parents should have the freedom to educate their children where they will.

WHERE ARE THE FAMILIAR FACES?

refused to place the question on tate will be noted gas in the new Congress TRIKING changes in the new Congress

primary ballot, the Attorney-General having advised that the Amendment would, if adopted, be unconstitutional. Its supporters carried the matter to the Supreme Court, which decided, wisely, we think, that the Amendment should go to the voters, and that the function of the Court is to pass on the constitutionality of a law after its enactment and not before. The Amendment being thus submitted to the voters, they, also wisely, it seems to us, decisively rejected it by a vote of nearly two to one. Whereupon a great New York newspaper placed upon its special and prominent despatch from Detroit the headline: "Michigan Approves Parochial Schools." The voters of Michigan, we believe, did nothing of the kind. They simply sustained the American principle of freedom under regulation, or, as a writer in the Grand Rapids, Michigan, "Press" expresses it, the voters took the intelligent and logical position that "the State has the right to investigate and regulate but not to dominate schools."

The American public school system is founded upon the principle that the State has the right and the duty to see that all its children are made competent citizens as far as education can so make them, and that all the citizens are to be taxed for this purpose. Parents who desire and are able to furnish their children with an education at least equivalent in standards and efficiency to that required and supplied by the State should be permitted to do so.

The real danger of parochial schools, whether Protestant or Catholic, is that they tend to develop in their patrons a desire to be relieved of their school taxes. This tendency should be combated frankly wherever it shows itself.

very familiar faces there will no longer be seen (at least not for six years after March 4, 1921) those of Senators Chamberlain and Gore.

Mr. Chamberlain, twice Governor of Oregon, has been since 1909 in the Senate, where, as an eminent authority there on army matters (he was Chairman of the Military Affairs Committee), his influence was felt far and wide. Though a Democrat, he pointed out unsparingly the deficiencies of a Democratic Administration and was an effective thorn in its side. As his course has always been independent, many thousand Oregon Republicans have voted for him election after election. If the next President includes a Democrat in his Cabinet and selects a civilian as Secretary of War, what better candidate could there be than Mr. Chamberlain ?

Mr. Gore has represented Oklahoma in the Senate ever since Oklahoma became a State. He is blind, his face is singularly striking, bis oratory is brilliant, and, like Senator Chamberlain, though a Democrat, he has opposed some of President Wilson's policies.

These Senators are succeeded respectively by Robert N. Stanfield and John W. Harreld. For days after the election Scott Ferris, Democrat, the able Congressman from Oklahoma, was supposed to have won the succession to Senator Gore, whom he defeated in the primaries. Mr. Harreld is one of the few Republicans ever elected to office in Oklahoma. The unexpected Republican addition arising from the election of these men, together with Mr. Cameron from Arizona, Mr. Ernst from Kentucky (whose defeat of Senator Beckham was not known until several days after the election), Mr. Weller from Maryland, and certain

others, brings up the Senate Republican majority to twenty-two.

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N the House of Representatives there are equally striking changes. A hundred and nineteen members of the present House were not returned. Some were not candidates for reelection; a few, like Scott Ferris, were candidates for Senatorial honors; some were defeated in the primaries. But most were defeated on November 2

The results of the elections on that date seem almost incredible. Repub licans won solid delegations from Ohio. Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minne sota, the Dakotas, and from all of the States west of the Mississippi and north of us ahoma, with one exception du ifornia. And, what is more, the Re publicans won solid delegations, sare the admixture of one Democrat, in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Missour The New Jersey result recalls the codition of the future lower house of its State Legislature; one Democratic Assemblyman will represent his party there.

Three very familiar faces will be ab sent from the House-at least for two years from March 4, 1921.

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First is that of Champ Clark, Demo crat, member of the Fifty-third and of the Fifty-fifth and succeeding Co gresses, inclusive of the present. In twe of those Congresses he was minority leader and in four Speaker. His great popularity is indicated by the fact that at the Baltimore Convention of 1912he led on twenty-seven ballots, and, what is more, on no less than eight of them had a clear majority. Had the Repub lican rule prevailed in Democratic conventions, Mr. Clark would have doubt less won the seat now occupied by Woodrow Wilson.

General Isaac R. Sherwood, Demo crat, will not be seen in the next Congress. He is the dean of both branches of Congress. He will be eightysix on his next birthday. He stands as straight as ever, as befits a gallant soldier of the Civil War. His tall form. crowned by shaggy white hair, has been as much a sight" in the House to be pointed out to visitors as have been the better-known faces of ex-Speakers Cannon and Clark. General Sherwood has represented the Toledo district of Ohio in Congress for many years.

Doubtless the most efficient legislator in the House, who must now needs re tire because of defeat at the primaries, is John J. Esch, Republican, from Wisconsin. He was defeated by the

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ALICE M. ROBERTSON, OF OKLAHOMA,
REPRESENTATIVE-ELECT

combined efforts of the Plumb Plan League, the Non-Partisan League, and Senator La Follette. Mr. Esch, with Senator Cummins, originated the Transportation Act of 1920. He has served continuously in the House for twentytwo years. His great experience should be utilized by the new Administration; were he to be appointed to the vacancy on the Inter-State Commerce Commission which will shortly occur, the selection would be appropriate.

NEW MEMBERS

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MONG the new faces in the House

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will be that of Alice Robertson, of Muskogee, Oklahoma, the second woman to go to Congress and the only woman to be in the Sixty-seventh Congress. As a child of five years Miss Robertson went to the old Indian Territory in an ox cart, along with her missionary father. In the Roosevelt Administration she was postmistress of Muskogee. She owns a restaurant, and her advertisements recommending it were cleverly phrased so as to tell voters just how they should cast their ballots for the restaurant owner.

As an addition of strength to the

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House no man should be more welcome than Theodore E. Burton, exRepresentative and ex-United States Senator from Ohio. The House needs sources of exact information. Mr. Burton will take his place along with Speaker Gillett as supplying such need. In his judgments Mr. Burton is a very independent man.

William Stafford, Republican, of Wisconsin, who defeated Victor Berger, Socialist, is another familiar figure who will return to the House after an absence of some years.

A Republican Representative has actually been elected from Texas. Of the fifteen districts in the South in which Republicans made contests they won seven and made a remarkable showing in the other eight.

The result of all the elections appears to bring up the House Republican

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CHANNING COX, GOVERNOR-ELECT
OF MASSACHUSETTS

Follette followers. Though there was
no compromise, a similar result was
obtained, Mr. Lenroot, an anti-La
Follette Republican,
Follette Republican, being elected
Senator, and John J. Blaine, the pro-
La Follette candidate, Governor.

In Massachusetts Channing H. Cox, the Republican candidate, won over his Democratic opponent, John J. Walsh, by a huge majority. In Connecticut Everett J. Lake, Republican, had a decisive victory; similar results ob tained in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, were foreshadowed by Mr. Parkhurst's triumph in the September Maine election for Gor ernor. The next Governor of Vermont will be James Hartness; of New Hampshire, Albert O. Brown; and of Rhode Island, Emery J. San Souci.

In Ohio ex-Mayor Harry L. Davis, of Cleveland, defeated his opponent, State Auditor A. V. Donahey, Democrat.

In Michigan General A. J. Groesbeek, the Republican candidate against former Governor Ferris, was elected.

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ECOND in interest to the Congres-himan of the Progressive National SECOND in interest tree those Montana Joseph M. Dixon, former

Governors. Not all States had such elections, but the States which did have them were important..

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Among those States was Illinois. The election there was characterized by a fight among Republicans, brought about by William Hale Thompson, the Chicago "boss." Even the Chicago Tribune favored the election of James Hamilton Lewis, the Democratic candidate, over that of Small, the Republican candidate, and a Thompson follower. On the basis of pre-election compromise, the Thompson strength was promised to McKinley, a Thompson opponent, for the Senate. Mr. Small was elected by a great plurality. In Wisconsin a similar split occurred between the La Follette and anti-La

Committee, obtained the Republican

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EVERETT J. LAKE, GOVERNOR-ELECT OF CONNECTICUT

victory over his opponent, and had the advantage of many Democratic votes. In Idaho David W. Davis, Republican, won handsomely.

The same is true of S. R. McKilvie in Nebraska. Here again the situation was complicated by a three-cornered vote.

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In Colorado Governor Oliver H. Shoup defeated James M. Collins, Democrat, who had been indorsed by the Non-Partisan League.

In Kansas Governor Henry J. Allen has been victorious again, and says, as reported:

This is the greatest blow the Gompers leadership ever received. It turned on this State every gun at its commandd-money, speakers, organizers-and lost in all except three counties. It particularly attacked the

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E. J. SAN SOUCI, GOVERNOR-ELECT OF R. L

Kansas Court of Industrial Relations, and thereby sought to turn the voters against me.

From the standpoint of the future, he most striking event in the election is he Republican victory in Tennessee. Harding has a lead over Cox, and Taylor, Republican candidate for Govrnor, over Roberts, Democrat and present Governor of the State. This louble result, constituting the first real reak in the "Solid South," may be poch-making in the history of party government in the United States. It will patently help the Republican party. But the addition of Oklahoma-Repubican for the first time since its Statehood-and the Republican gains in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida should stir Democrats to something better and more potential than relying on any sectional solidarity.

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H. L. DAVIS, GOVERNOR-ELECT OF OHIO

The Cuban elections also took place at that time.

The present President, Señor Menocal, is a Conservative. He has been an admirable President. As he declined to stand for a third term, the Conservatives turned to General Montalvo, a good man but not commanding the following of another General, José Miguel Gomez, the candidate of the Liberals and a popular idol with the Radicals, especially in Havana. Gomez had a fine military record in the Cuban Revolution of 1898; later he led the rebellion against President Palma (which brought about our second intervention), and was elected President (1908). His four-year term was characterized by extravagance. Some years after he led an uprising, with consesequent loss of life and damage to property.

As between Montalvo and Gomez, the latter would have won. Hence, as a very large section of Liberals felt that

founder of the Liberal party. He took no part in the Gomez revolts. He is a National figure, having been candidate for Vice-President in 1912 and for President in 1916. His nomination was followed by President Menocal's support of the candidate and by an election which shows that most Cubans wish to continue a Presidency of the Menocal, not of the Gomez, type.

This result will be gratifying to Americans as well. But the conduct of the election itself is also peculiarly gratifying. It is the first election to be conducted in a distinctly orderly manner-doubtless due to the fact that it was the first under the law adopted by the Cuban Congress and framed at the Cuban Government's invitation by our General Crowder, a law designed to

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ALFRED TAYLOR, GOVERNOR-ELECT OF TENN. prevent registration frauds and ballotbox stuffing.

THE BUILDING TRADE SCANDAL XTORTION, "rake-offs," price fix

Gomez did not represent them, they Eng, and blackmail are the charges

joined hands with the Conservatives who disregarded Montalvo. This coalition then nominated Dr. Alfredo Zayas, a man of greater intellectual ability than Gomez and regarded as the real

JOS. M. DIXON, GOVERNOR-ELECT OF MONTANA

intimated in the investigation by a Committee of the Legislature into the practices of the Building Trades Council in New York City. Instituted nominally to protect contractors against labor strikes, on the one hand, and unfair competition, on the other, it is charged with laying tribute on laborers and contractors alike, and so excessively that workmen had to pay from $3 to $10 a week, while some contractors who undertook to fight exactions were driven out of business or into bankruptcy. Others, it is stated, paid large sums for influence in getting contracts. It is said that tens of thousands of workmen paid tribute under penalty of losing jobs, although the American Federation of Labor tried to help them resist. It is alleged that graft affected the letting of city contracts for building schools.

So extraordinary have been the reve

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