To the Editors of the CRIMSON:

Having reached a decision as to how to vote, I find it takes the following form: I cannot vote Republican for four reasons: (1) The Republican attitude today as voiced by its spokesmen is, "We make no promises, no declaration of intentions. If you believe in us simply elect us on faith." This disregard for all issues, this demand for blind obedience is hostile to the fundamental principle of party government which demands that each party shall present some rough outline of policy, some minimum of political ideas. (2) There is no leadership in the Republican Party today. The candi- date has himself stated that he intends to be led rather than to lead. Who will lead him? Will it be the 31 pro-leaguers? Will it be Messrs. Borah, Johnson and the hard-headed anti-league Republicans with the green flag of Ireland in the van? Or will it be that politically-minded came lion, Senator Lodge? Can anyone imagine any combination of these three groups which would remain in the same room more than five minutes? Who then will lead? No one can say. Read Senator Harding's speeches and you will find him a shuttle-cock being bounced about from one group to another. Who will be advisor-in-chief? This one rule may justly be applied. In a government "with and by advice of the Senate" who will be prominent? The men who now stand in the positions of greatest authority in the Republican Party, namely: Senators Lodge, Borah, Johnson, and Penrose. Draw your own inferences if you dare. (3) A president who refuses his executive functions and is the mouth-piece of advisors (no matter how good the advice) is a man who invites that notorious figure, the boss to the White House. (4) National not state politics are of primary importance in this election.

I shall vote democratic because: (1) the Democrats offer at least one definite political idea, the League of Nations and all its implications as to foreign policy; (2) Gov. Cox is willing to fulfil the executive duties of the presidency; (3) there is more unity in the Democratic than in the Republican Party; (4) the record of the Democratic administration is at the very least just as good as the record of the Republican Congress.  B. PRESCOTT '21.

October 19, 1920