The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1932-03-25
FRIDAY, MARCH rs, 1882
Twelve For Roosevelt

We wonder if it was wise tor Or. Ed
ward G. Dolan. democratic state central
committeeman form Manchester, and Ma
tional Committeeman Archibald Mcneil OF
Bridgeport to inform Governor Franklin u.
Roosevelt that twelve of this states sixteen
votes in the national convention would be
cast for him. That was a promise that
might lead to misunderstanding in demo-
cratic circles which could we'll disrupt the
organization that Governor Cross is endeav-
oring to build up for the coming state and
national elections. If anything, this states
delegation to the national convention IN
Chisago next June is apt to vote solidly tor
some one candidate.
That it will be for Governor Cross for one
ballot at least is to be expected. 1t would
be only right that the democrats of the
state should do honor to the first Chief
executive they have had in two decades. We
presume, too that there will be individual
preferences manifested by many of the dele
gates chosen to the national convention.
Perhaps these will be displayed in the early
balloting. But if the convention shows
signs of nominating Governor Roosevelt in
landslide fashion, don't forget that the Con-
necticut delegates will be right in the fore
ground swinging their banners aloft.
There are too many democrats, not only
here in Connecticut but in other states, who
are doing their best to make another Mad
ison Square Garden fiaseo of the Chicago
convention by their earnest desire to pick
. candidate before the convention even starts.
. 1t is too evident that there is wealth of
presidential material in democratic ranks this
. year. The situation is far different than 1t
was four years ago, when Alfred E. Smith
was the one and only man in the field. 1t
is different than it was in 1924 when Smith
and MeAdoo fought to deadlock With
out detraetng one whit from Governor
Roosevelts ability VIC still believe that there
age others equal to his stature as candidate.
We don't need to enumerate them. They are
well known.
1t isn't fair to deny them chance to be
nominated at the convention by spreading
such statements as too ardent Roosevelt
supporters have done in the past few months
Every potential presidential candidate in the
democratic party is entitled to an oppor-
tunity to be voted upon at the Chicago con-
vention. That will certainly not injure in
dividual efforts. Governor Roosevelt is
undoubtedly the pre-eonvention choice of
majority of the men from whom the actual
convention delegates will be chosen. Per-
haps twelve of the sixteen Connecticut del
egates will be Roosevelt men. But it would
/. have been just as correct for Messrs Dolan
and Mcneil to have said sixteen than twelve.
1t looks too much as if opposition for
Roosevelt were being deliberately created. AS
matter of fact, it isn't opposition to him, it's
, merely preference for some other candidate in
the field which is certainly every democrats
prerogative. We wouldn't be surprised to
see Governor Roosevelt nominated and we
think his candidacy will be acclaimed by
both democrats and republicans, but that does
not lessen the prc-eonventon chances of
those also seeking the nomination or being
groomed for it.