Evening star., 1932-05-06
Dark Horse for Democrats
Placed Among Possibilities

sufficient either to veto the Roosevelt
nomination or to dictate the nomina-
tion of some one else" The Asbury Park
Press independent Democratic) be-
lieves that the Bay State result "does
not offer sufficient grounds for the fore
cast that Gov. Roosevelt will not win
the Democratic nomination" The Ok
lahoma City Times independently holds
that "the likelihood Of Smiths nomina-
ton remains about as remote as ever"
Reviewing the conditions in various
States, particularly the existence of IA
vorite sons, with the votes that they
have gathered, the Omaha World-Her-
aid independent Democratic) says: In
the great Central States. in the West,
in the border States and in the South
party leaders want candidate who is
widely popular, who can win, and who
can help them carry their own States.
Roosevelt, who satisfies the progressive
aspirations of the day, fits in with that
description. He will come to the con-
vention with clear majority, If not on
the first ballot, then on early succeed
ing ballots. The logic of the situation
clearly indicates his nomination"
Prospects of the selection of a COM
promise candidate are emphasized by
the Rock Island Argus (independent),
the Milwaukee Sentinel independently
the Haverhill Gazette Independent Re
publican) and the st. Louis Times IRE
publican), while the Scranton Times
Democratic) is convinced that mo
candidate will have a controlling vote
in advance of the convention proper"
The New Orleans Times Picayune
tDemocratic) suggests Whether a
deadlock and a long convention fight
would advantage the party and better
its chance Of victory in November is a
question 10 which millions of Demo-
Gratis doubtless are giving present and
anxious thought"
THE result changes the character Of
the Democratic campaign" states the
San Francisco Chronicle independent
Republican,, while the Oakland Tribune
Republican, says that it strengthens
the belief that the Democratic conven-
ton in Chicago is going to afford the
delegates and the Nation many inter
eSting moments
1T is inconceivable," according to the
Fort Worth Star Telegram (independ-
ent Democratic), that any candidate
can win in the early balloting in the
convention if he is confronted by a Sc
rious contest Such a contest confronts
the Roosevelt candidacy, and its very
existence, leaving aside any considera-
tions of actual votes alienated before
the convention by the contestants, dims
the possibility Of final nomination.
Thus there rises before the eyes Of
Garner supporters a new and inspiring
prospect Of victory. If Roosevelt cannot
win early. the probabilities of his win
ming at all are greatly reduced. If
Roosevelt cannot win, the man who
keeps him from winning will not be
permitted to win himself. If neither Of
the two avowed and active pre-conven-
tion candidates can win, the field Is
open for strong men of the party who
have not been active candidates. or
this list, the position of none is half as
strong as that of John Nance Garner,
Speaker of the House, whose national
prestige has grown impresSively in re-
cent months"
THE net result" in the Judgment of
the Houston Chronicle tDemocratic),
lis that the field for the Democratic
nomination is left open. With Ohio,
Indiana. Illinois Maryland. Virginia,
Texas. Missouri Oklahoma and possibly
California backing candidates other
than either Roosevelt or Smith, there
is plenty of opportunity for Ritchie,
Byrd, Young, Traylor, Garner or vari-
GUS other leaders yet to be the choice
of the party. This gives all the more
reason for the Texans backing the
Garner candidacy to organize well for
him. They should be prepared to stay
by him at the national convention
through thick and thin. And in the
meantime the Texas conventions should
speak Tor him with united voice"