5 NOVEMBER 1948, Page 5

A SPECTATOR'S NOTEBOOK

111HIS week's election in the United States has been generally described as the most exciting since 1916. That is certainly

true, but for those who remember it 1916 still holds the record. The candidates then were Mr. Woodrow Wilson, seeking re-election for a second term, and Mr. Charles Evans Hughes, who resigned from the Supreme Court to stand. A Republican victory was generally predicted, and when Mr. Hughes carried New York, with its 45 votes, and Illinois, with its 29, as well as the traditionally Republican Pennsylvania, with its 38, the result seemed so certain that on the morning after the election Mr. Hughes' victory was definitely announced. Admirers of Mr. Wilson in this country, who were numerous, were much dejected. But both sides had forgotten Hiram Johnson. Mr. Johnson was the Governor of California and some- thing of a political boss in that State. Mr. Hughes had in some way slighted him when visiting California on his electoral tour, and Mr. Johnson, whose political affiliations were never of the most durable, decided to swing the State for Mr.. Wilson. California's electoral vote was only 13, but Mr. Wilson's final majority was no more than 21. If California had voted Republican he would have been in a minority of 5. The excitement of that year has not been equalled since ; 1948 cannot touch it.