The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-07-07
KEEPING UP
With
THE NE WIS
BY LUpWELL DENNY


for this campaign, but for four years
hence.
That may sound funny to you.
Third parties are not very exciting
at best, and the mere prospect Of
one in the future might hardly seem
like news
But this is not the way it strikes
some of the old line politicians.
They are much more concerned over
a carefully planted charge of pro-
gressive dynamite. than over the
customary cap pistol affairs which
go off half cooked.
That much discussed letter by
Senator Norris to a California sup
porter is not so important in show
ing that the progressive leader of
the Senate has rejected the idea
Of a third party this year, as it is
in revealing careful and astute
plans for the future.
Norris idea, in brief, is to let the
Republicans and Democrats get red
in the face trying to put Hoover
or Smith in the White House, while
the progressives of both parties qui-
city go about the business of elect
ing liberal Congressman and Sena-
tors to hold the balance of power
in Congress.
With this band of progressives on
Capitol Hill in Washington, the
movement can be started for cleo
ton of Presidents by direct vote
Of the people insted of by the pres
ent electoral college system. IN
der existing conditions a third party
with national candidates is doomed
almost from the beginning because
OF the necessity Of organizing
against the old party machines il
practically every State to get presi-
dental electors on the ballot.
In addition to this general con-
sideration there are specific rea-
sons why this is a bad year to put
national third ticket in the field.
but a good year to perfect an or
ganization for the next campaign.
HERE, at any rate, is the argu-
L n ment of some third party
strategists:
Both Hoover and Smith have
more than customary popular appeal
and the confidence of many who
voted the La Toilette Wheeler ticket
four years ago; though either
Hoover or Smith after a term in the
White House is expected to dis
appoint progressives Of the cities
and farm, who then presumably in
their "disillusionment" will demand
an out-and-out liberal of Farm
Labor party.
Prohibition despite the Republican
and Democratic bosses is going to
be major, perhaps a determining,
issue in this campaign. This will not
only tend to cause cross-party
voting, as feared by the bosses whose
parties are divided on this question.
Prohibition also this year will tend
to obscure the so-called basic issues,
such as water power monopoly, i'm
perialism, farm relief and civil
liberties, on which the future third
party must ground its bid for votes.
Like any other party, but to a
larger extent than established
parties, new party must have the
drive and appeal of popular leader.
The progressives now lack such a
leader chiefly. because Norris is
almost wholly lacking in personal
ambition and in the salt of the
dem agogue with which the public
seasons its political enthusiasns.
Norris is recognized as one of the
best minds and finest characters in .
the Senate, but neither by cge, tenn
permanent nor desire is considered
the man to head a national cam
paign.
But the progressives have
Conner" who may be ready to lead
in four years. He has youth. He
has fire. He has courage.
For several years he watched and
worked with odd Bob" La Toilette.
Latterly he has been sitting at the
feet of uncle George" Norris,
learning the complicated congress
sional machinery, mastering the
technique of politics by v'l.ch laws
are made and elections won.
1t is no secret that this man r.
Senator La Toilette of Wisconsin
Young Bob
NOUNG BOB furnished the fire.
\ works of the Kansas City Re
publican convention last month. He
went there his fathers son. He
came away a progressive leader in
his own right.
He presented the minority plat
form. He won the cheers of the
galleries and the delegates; he won
the respect of the conservatives and
the loyalty of the liberals.
So, at least his friends will tell
you, and not a few press observers
will bear witness to his personal
victory" there.
All of this and more is between
the lines of Norris letter to Dore-
mus Soudder of California, declin-
ing to launch a third party this
year.
I'VE should confess before the
people our own weakness, disap-
pointing as it may be to them and
to us" Norris said. THE only thing
we can do (now) is to advocate a
change in our Constitution that will
abolish the electoral college and
permit the names of the candidates
to be placed upon the official bal
lot so that the voter can vote di-
rectly for the candidate of his