The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-06-27
The Democratic Convention

The Democrats will of the track and lose the
election That is the hopeful prediction of the Re
publicans. The Democrats, at their convention which
opens today, will prove whether this prophecy is
right or wrong.
The Republicans admit that they have little chance
Of winning the election for themselves. They have
unpopular candidate, laundering record in Of
flee, and straddle platform. But they expect the
Democrats to win the election for them. They
pect the Democrats to nominate weak candidate
and to split in convention fight
AS the convention opens, the Democrats are in
danger of making the very mistakes the Republicans
want them to make.
The Republicans want them to nominate Roose-
velt as the easiest man for Hoover to beat AS the
convention opens, Roosevelt is in the lead
The Republicans want them to split The con-
vention opens with the rule-or-run Roosevelt fac
ton disrupting the party on issues of honor and
fair play.
First the Roosevelt faction double crossed Jouett
Shouse, who had been agreed upon permanent
chairman of the convention. That is bitter, I'M
fair and unnecessary feud imposed the convention
by Roosevelt.
Then the Roosevelt managers tried to make pro-
hibition repeal delegates accept a submission
plank just as Hoover dictated straddle plank to
the Republican majority, which did not want to
straddle.
Now Roosevelt is attempting to change the rules
in the midst of the game. Whether he is right or
wrong in opposing the cenlry-old rule requiring two
thirds vote for nomination not the question Right
or wrong, the rule can not be changed fairly after
the game has started that is after the delegates have
been chosen. Roosevelt is trying to rig the rules.
That is why recognized leaders of the party in
Roosevelt's own camp, like Senator Harrison, have
broken with him on this issue of party honor Leaders,
such as Senator Glass, who never have been Smith
supporters, are as shocked as Smith by Rooseyets
sharp practice.
Glass and others say fatty that Roosevelts nom
nation on such terms probably would cost the Demo-
Gratis the election.
AS an independent newspaper are not con-
cerned with the election of Democrat as Demo-
crat, or with the fortunes and feuds of the Demo-
cratic party party But like millions Of voters
we are profoundly concerned with the election in Mo-
vember of President and administration capable
of leading the nation out Of the worst crisis since the
Civil war.
Herbert Hoover has failed. Franklin Roosevelt,
in our opinion would prove another Hoover-lacking
the necessary vision and courage Of great leadership
The country knows this. There is no enthusiasm
for Roosevelt as shown in the primaries.
Most Of Roosevelt's delegates at the convention
are less for him than against Smith, merely get
ting aboard what they consider the bandwagon.
What the Democrats do to themselves as party
is their own affair But, unfortunately in this emer-
gency they can not wreck their party with Roosevelt
without condemning the country to four more years
of Hoover and bankrupt Republican administration.
The unemployed, the farmers business men, voters
of both parties and party, are looking to the
Democrats for leadership. If the Democratic party
fails the country in this crisis, it will not deserve
and it will not get soon another opportunity.