The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-08-16
Who Is a Republican?

THE national Republican organization leaders in
washington say they will not support the Republican
senatorial candidate from Nebraska in the November
election Their excuse is that Senator Norris is a
traitor to the party.
Nv that charge they mean that Norris. has been
one Of the most effective opponents in the senate OF
the administration farm tariff and power policies.
That Is true And they mean that Norris voted 1or
Smith for President in 1923, which also is true
So they are going to read him out OF the party
that is what withholding organization support IN an
election amounts TO-
This raises several interesting questions, which go
far beyond the Norris case
In the first place, what is a Republican? The
party has no definite creed to which members must
subscribe and no certificate of orthodoxy necessary
for casting a Republican ballot. Even if expedency
did not prevent such creedaT test, it would be i'm
possible in any event, because the party platform
changes constantly
A Republican therefore. is merely one who votes
the Republican ticket Obviously that does not mean
one who never scratches ticket, but rather one
whose Republican votes the rule and whose
scratches are the exception For there very few
voters in any party today who automatically vote
straight ticket Indeed, it has come to be rather
an insult to mans intelligence to assume that he
would not scratch ticket in favor OF what ne SIN
cerely believed to be the better candidate
Norris has voted the Republican ticket much
longer and much more faithfully than for instance,
Herbert Hoover, the former Democrat. That is not
particularly to Norris credit to be sure But it does
give Norris pretty good claim to the title OF Re-
publican so long as he wants to use that title
Question No. q What is the Republican party?
Is the party the national bosses in Washington, or
the rank and file membership? Where is the ulti-
Mate authority when it comes to dsciplining party
member2 The Republican rank and file in Nebraska
Just have chosen, in the only, manner provided by
law, George W. Norris as the Republican candidate
chosen him by overwhelming vote and in direct de-
fance of the national organization. f
If the time has come when the Republican party
membership is not allowed to pick its candidate,
then it would seem that the national organization
should expel as traitors the Republican party of Ne
braska for dsloyaty.
Question No. 3. What is to be done with the dozen
or so other Republican senators who share Norris
views and who are fighting to elect this traitor "
Are they not TRAITORS" too and due for the ax2
Question No. A. If Norris and his kind are not
good enough to bear the name Republican what is to
be done with such other Republicans as the Daugh-
ertys Falls Sincairs and Hustons whose party pur-
ity never yet has been questioned officially?
We can not imagine Senator Norris being much
worried by the bosses boycott, by the question
raised by such action. Why should he worry? He
is secure IN the loyalty of the voters who elect him
to his great public service come what may. He has
seen in his time many administrations and many
Republican national organizations rise and fall He
goes on. -
But millions of voters, who take the Republican
national committee more seriously than it deserves
may get the impression that the party of Lincoln no
longer has any room for liberalism, not even in the
rumble seat.