LETTERS: PRESIDENTIAL MINORITIES

To the editor:

In your Oct. 5 editorial you write against the formation of a third party. One of your arguments was as follows: "Clinton's often ineffectual leadership is what results when a president is elected without the benefit of majority public support." If memory serves me correctly, I believe A. Lincoln was elected in 1860 with about 40 percent of the popular vote, Woodrow Wilson in 1912 was elected with about 41 percent and Nixon in 1968 with about 45 percent. Any comments?

WARREN E. HEARNES

Charleston

EDITOR'S REPLY: Just one: Thanks for brief the but enlightening history lesson. As a former governor of Missouri, Mr. Hearnes is something of an expert on voting returns.