Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-06-15
w Washington
Letter
DENATURED CAMPAIGNS PROB
ABLE THIS YEAR
Nv Charles II Stewart


WASHINGTON, June l5.-Cow-
ardice is generally recognized as the
great weakness Of our W. major
political parties OF today.
Our get-out-the-vote enthusiasts
make a tremendous TODD about the
celebrates indifference, but neglect
to say anything about the useless
ness of casting a ballot which a
substantially the same thing which
ever way it's cast.
Five ar six months ago there real
" seemed to be promise Of a cam
paign in which some lines would be
drawn. More recently, with the con-
yentions impending and the politi-
clans getting scared, the party man
arements on both sides have been
working overtime at the JOB Of de-
maturing evcrything-and so success
fully that il appears unlikely any
reasonably probable presidential
nominee will signify much-not even
as a personality, for you can't re-
spect a s%traddler, whoever he ~.
SO the question arises-why isn't
IL a EWOu AANAN AuA a. AHAAM AAAR1~ 4
which does mean something-and for
which there have been hints Of an
increasing demand.
The painful answer is-as soon ms
a so-called independent makes his
! appearance, he becomes a s%traddler,
too.
He's afraid TO take any position at
all for fear it will be too advanced.
He's afraid 10 say anything. because,
even though he may win a few votes
by saying 1t, he's afraid he'll lose
still more.
There was Nv third party onven
tion in Cleveland in 1924, which ]
saw myself, and heard.
Ii was advertised az a gathering of
the broadcast political catholicity. All
advanced elements we're urged to be
represented. It was recognized that
the majority would have to rule, but
everybody was to be heard.
The Wisconsin proEressives were
present in a body-Henrik ~Shipstead,
farmer-labor senator; Victor Berger,
socialist congressman; Pete Witt,
single taxer-
Up from among the delegates rose
a rough-looking guy-"Mister Chair
mann resonant tones-"I speak
for the !. W. W."
Instantly strong hands closed or
the scruff Of that Wobbly's neck AND
the seat OF bis pants. end Out on the
lake front he landed--Finish your
speech there"
1 talked with him. he wasn't a
bad chap. ~All ! wanted" he assured
me, was a voice"
Back in Washington. in an execu-
tive news capacity at the time, ]
sent q reporter to see the late Sen.
ator LaFollette, the third groups
presidential nominee.
Among other things, the senator
declared himself what's currently
known as a wet"
A little later telephone bells were
ringing for me all over town. The
senator must see me at once.
failed 70 connect with him personal.
~, but / did see his son-"younl
Bob" then his secretary, now him
self a senator.
an his own good time" sale
"young Bob" 'my father intends X
declare himself on prohibition, but
now would be premature. He ex
pressed himself Inadvertently"
So ] choked il off. The senator,
Town good time" never anne. Pro
hibition wasn't an issue" in hi
campaign. Too many progressive.
are drys. Too many are vets, too
The senator was honest-I don't dis
pute it-but he was a politician also
How can a third party ticket re
anywhere, or a major party tickle
get anything but a perfunctory vote
without a candidate who has tn,
nerve to stand patti