the spring-wheat growers and stockmen upon the last frontier find their pretensions to a decisive voice in the affairs of the nation challenged by the rising tide of industrie wage-earners in the metropolitan areas of the Northeast. The reaction of the Eastern wage-earners against "Populism" in the "ound money" campaign of 1896 was the first harbinger of the new order. In the federal Senate the spring-wheat growers and tockmen will retain a disproportionate influence for some time, but in the House of Representatives and the Electoral College urban interests vigorously dispute their sway. The balance of power is no longer in the custody of the Northwestern farmer. Both the Republican combination of sectional interests and the metropolitan faction in the Democratic party have grown too strong. This is the lesson of the La Follette campaign.

The next move in national politics appears to be the privilege of the leaders of the Tammany Democracy. It will not be the first time that Tammany Hall has attempted to assert its authority in the affairs of the nation. Under John Kelly it first supported, then opposed, the leadership of Samuel J. Tilden. But other causes brought Tilden's career to an end. Under Richard Croker Tammany tried to destroy Grover Cleveland, but it tried in vain. Under Charles F. Murphy it submitted ungraciously to the leadership both of Bryan and of Wilson. Now Governor Smith emerges from the campaign of 1924 far stronger than any of his predecesHe cannot hope to dominate the present Democratic party in the country at large. Nor can he compel it to abandon its ancient Jacksonian tradition. But he can seize the banner of revolt against the present major parties, which the agrarian leaders of the Northwest have let fall, and lead the next drive for a new partisan alignment. He might have no greater personal success than La Follette, but the attempt would clearly mark the beginning of the era in national politics that is to be, as La Follette's probably marks the end of the era that is passing. It would mean the political coming of age of the city dwellers' world.

sors.

INDEX

INDEX