94 Years Ago
As the 1932 election approached, the country was mired in an economic depression. The always-Democratic Transcript was keenly interested in the upcoming elections. Front page articles covered
- the polls (Democrats expected to win)
- local Republicans who were backing Democrats
- Golden's privately-funded welfare effort
- amendments, including a proposal for a graduated income tax, one for a gasoline tax, one to repeal Prohibition laws, and one to tax and regulate margarine.
The editorial section hammered home the need to vote for Roosevelt.
It might have been worse,” has been Mr. Hoover’s slogan in the present campaign. We desire to add to that “And it may be yet.” Let’s take stock of our nation today.... A ton of wheat could be purchased in Eastern Colorado for $9, or $1 less than a ton of sawdust. A bushel of corn could be bought Monday in Iowa for less than a package of chewing gum. And with all this hungry men were parading in our principal cities crying “We want bread.” And what does Hoover offer? Four years more of the same thing. Higher tariffs. Complete subservience to Big Business and little regard for the starving millions.
Colorado Transcript - November 3, 1932
The Jefferson County Republican, published the same day, had a different point of view. Rather than focusing on the Hoover-Roosevelt race, the Republican concentrated on local and state-wide candidates. Their editorial section encouraged voters to stay the course.
No Time to Change
Jefferson County cannot take a chance at this time by making a change even though the tempting offer of a "New Deal" has been dangled before the voters as a bait.
Jefferson County Republican - November 3, 1932
They also praised Republican candidates for fighting fair.
Republicans Have Waged a Clean Campaign
Candidates for county office on the Republican ticket have waged a clean campaign. No mud-slinging, no belittling of their opponents has been indulged in.
Jefferson County Republican - November 3, 1932
They did include a rather plaintive article on page 10 comparing Hoover to Lincoln.
LINCOLN AND HOOVER
No really great leader has been recognized as such at the time of his actual leadership. President. Lincoln was vilified and abused while he was here and It was not until after he was gone that the people really appreciated him.... And so it is with President Hoover who has kept the ship of state on an even keel and refused to listen to the clap-clap and nostrums of the reformers and politicians.
Jefferson County Republican - November 3, 1932
