Evening star., 1930-06-17
Senator Simmons Punished
For Bolting, Public Decides

There is emphasis on party regularity
In public comments on the defeat of
Senator Flrnifold M. Simmons in the
Democratic primary contest for renomi-
nation for United States Senator from
North Carolina His successful opponent,
Josiah w. Bailey. Is declared to have
represented protest against the bolting
of the ticket headed by Gov. Smith of
New York in 1928. 1t is pointed out
that the Senator was beaten by an
organization which he had built up, and
which had been taught by him TO
uphold loyalty to the party.
His reputation of his own party's
leadership was the mere forerunner of
his party's repudiation of his own lead
ership," declares the Charlotte News,
with emphasis upon "the simple truth
that the self-respect and integrity of
the Democratic party of North Caro-
lima has been paramounted anew" That
paper also calls the defeat amazing
and observes that it was "a cataclysm
the thunders of which are reverberant
throughout a Nation"
IF Mr.. Simmons had supported Mr..
Smith in 1929" says the Raleigh News
and Observer, "it is probable, though
not certain, he would have been returned
to the Senate without opposition in his
party. In the first and last analysis, 1t
was the charge of boiling the party's
national ticket in 1928 that solidifled
and gave vigor and some vengeance to
an opposition that might otherwise not
have come to the front" The Admission
Star thinks it was because he brought
embarrassment to his party in its most
crucial hour of trial that he was re-
jected by the Democrats of North Caro-
lina," and that paper declares that "the
fate that was meted out to Simmons is
awaiting Senator Hefiin in Alabama"
THAT he has been defeated" says the
Charleston Is. c. Evening Post, must
be cause for satisfaction, however tenn
perRd with regret for his passing out of
public life in his old age. 1t is conclu-
sive evidence that the folly of 1923 will
not soon be repeated in the South"
That paper remarks that the State has
decisively, almost savageiy, rejected this
veteran Democrat, who, prior to his
detection two years ago, was the idol of
his party" The Morgantown Dominion
News states: ITO repudiate q record and
dominating influence in the Senate
chamber such as Furnifold Simmons
matter. 1t can only indicate the En-
tensity of the reaction to Simmons
party treachery in public way"
"Unquestionably there was a rebuke,"
in the opinion of the Columbia Is. c.
Record, a judgment which is voiced also
by the Memphis Commercial Appeal,
the Meridian Star, the Columbia (Mo)
Daily Tribune and the Columbia Is. c.
State. That the voters placed emphasis
upon the requirement of party regu-
larity Is the conclusion of the Lexington
Leader, while the TeXarkana Gazette
advises: THE political transgressor is
In the same category as any other
transgresSor, so far as the path he must
tread is concerned. II America is to
continue to have Government by
political parties, party members must
learn what party loyalty means"
Those who take politics seriously"
remarks the Roanoke World-News, re
quire their leaders TO be regular. That
is lesson Simmons himself had drilled
into his party for more than a quarter
of a century" The Charlotte Observer
holds that Simmons record in the Sem