Milford chronicle., 1930-04-11
NATIONAL AFFAIRS
BY Frank P. Litschert

By Frank p. Litschert
The old and trite saying to the
effect that time flies" is true in
politics perhaps in a greater degree
than in any other profession OF
amusement, call it which you please
No sooner is one campaign complet-
ed, and the people have settled back
to enjoy the peace and quietude
which comes with the settlement OF
important questions, than another
campaign is upon us.
1t seems only a few days ago that
President Hoover succeeded Presi-
dent Coolidge in the White House
and here we are again on the verge
of another campaign. And a double
campaign it will be in many states
owing to the primary contests that
are sure to come. The Democrats
are looking forward to the coming
campaign with more assurance than
would have been deemed possible
after the crushing defeat they re-
ceived in 1928. The House of Repre-
sentatives is of course overwhelm-
ingly Republican and doubtless will
remain Republican unless there is a
landslide out of all proportion to
present expectations. The Demo-
Gratis will make some gains in the
House owing to the fact that the
Republicans carried many normally
Democratic districts in the landslide
of 1928. But only those who are
overwhelmingly optimistic believe at
this time they can wrest control of
the House from the Republicans.
On the other hand the Senate is
different proposition. In the upper
legislative body the Republicans now
have small majOrity-On paper at
least. But it happens that the SEN
ators whose terms expire in 1880
were elected in the Coolidge land
slide of 1924. Because of this, some
Republican senators now represent
states which are apt to be decidedly
doubtful especially on off years. On
the other hand the Democrats did so
poorly in 1924 that the senators they
elected that year seem reasonably
safe in this off year election. The
AAAOoN AObetbAC C0CCpAAOA III bAO
state of Iowa. The commonwealth
of the tall corn is ''rock-ribbed Re
publican" in politics, but in 1924 it
elected Senator Steck, a Democrat,
due to the desire of many Republi-
cans that year to punish Mr.. Brook
hart for leaning toward the LaFOl-
lette candidacy. The Republicans
may gain a senator in Iowa this
year, but in most of the other states
where seats of Democratic senators
are being contested the Democratic
majority is traditional.
OF course there will be bitter pri-
maries in many states and these may
change the complexion of things.
One of the most interesting contests
to be waged will be in Illinois where
Ruth Hanna Mccormick, wife of the
late Senator Medill Mccormick, will
contest for the toga of Senator Chas.
S. Deneen. Mrs. Mccormick has al
ready begun her primary contest.
Like her husband, she is opposed to
the entrance of the United States
into the World Court and she so an
nOunced the fact in her opening
speech the other day. The World
Court may become one of the live
issues in the Illinois campaign. If
SO it will attract great attention ow-
ing to the fact that the resolution
for Uncle Sans adherence to the
World Court under the Root formula
will come up in the Senate some of
these days. Republicans seem to
have avoided a contest in Kentucky
where Senator Sackett has been ap-
pointed by President Hoover as am
bassador to Germany. Representa-
tive Robson, a powerful Republican
leader, has been appointed by Gov
ernOr Sampson to fill the vacancy
and will doubtless be renominated.
President Hoover and his advisors
are credited with having played
some very adroit politics in ironing
out the Kentucky situation. Primary
contests may develop in Massachu-
setts and Nebraska.
The Republicans will not have all
the primary troubles, however. The
specter of Al Smith can be seen
again in the South. The Democrats
thought that this ghost was settled
when they carried Virginia last No
vember. But now the Democratic or
ganization in Alabama has barred
Senator Hefiin from the party and
the senator threatens to run indie
pendently if not permitted to run i'll
the Democratic primary. OF course
the Republicans will gain nothing
here no matter who wins but they
will get much consolation out of the |
Democratic troubles. Another seri-
Gus situation has arisen in North |
Carolina where Senator F. M. Sim |
mons, Democratic warhorse, is be- |
ing opposed for denomination be- !
cause he opposed AL Smith in the |
1928 election. His opponent in the |
primary is Josiah w. Bailey, of Ra-
leigh, regarded as one of the most |
brilliant public men in the state. |
Senator Simmons has been promi-
nent for years and the battle prom
ises to be a merry one. Just what |
the result will be no one can fore
cast at this time, but it seems a good
guess that these primary fights will
not do the Democrats any particular
good in the so-called border states.
At any rate the 1880 political con-
tests are now at hand. We specta-
tors can only bring out our opera
glasses again and exclaim, "On with
tbo chou -