The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-06-08
An Elusive Candidate

An Elusive Adnul0dte
within the last few days. Governor Franklin
Roosevelt again has revealed this time 70 nation
wide audience. the evasiveness with which New York
has become all too familiar. The result has not
strengthened his position in the Democratic ranks
throughout the country.
After Roosevelt and his representatives had offered
the permanent Craftsmanship OF the national conven-
ton to Jouett shouse they attempting to run
out on their own agreement Roosevelt believing now
that he has jority OF the delegates with which he
can dominate the convention seeks to substitute Sen
ator Thomas Walsh Of Montana as permanent chair
man in place Of Shouse.
He already is assured his own choice for temporary
chairman and keynoter Senator Barley Of Kentucky.
II the move is the measure Of Roosevelts ability as
strategis in the national political field those leaders
attracted to the Governor chiefly BY what they believe
to be his vote-geting ability have some grounds for
worry
The Democratic partys two strongest cards in the
coming election arc prohibition reform and tariff re-
vision Senator Walsh is an able statesman and party
leader But-altogether apart from the bad faith in
volved in The attempt to sdetrack Chairman shouse-
Walsh has no place in the permanent Craftsmanship
this year.
His views are not in harmony with the party ma
jorty on either OF the two major campaign issues
Senator Walsh is dry and his party majority is ooyi-
ously wet Walsh just has voted to put higher tariffs
in the revenue Dill despite the fact that national reac-
ton against the Republican Hawley-Smoot tariff
offers the Democrats Of their greatest opportu-
mites.
question Of the depth Of Governor Roosevelts in
erest in complete and early prohibition repeal and in
real tariff reform was raised when his fondness for
Senator Barley as the convention keynoter became
known.
Barley, a bone dry. voted in favor of tariffs IN
the new tax law. both in committee and in the SEN
ate despite warnings that such action on the part
Of the keynoter seriously would jeopardize Demo-
cratic chances in the national election
Notwithstanding the handicap of Senator Barkleys
record Roosevelt has by his fight shouse made it
quite clear that he is willing further to handicap the
party chances by insisting on dry high-tarif per-
manent chairman as we'll a keynoter of the same
stripe And at the price Of broken agreement at
that.
II the Democratic party crawls the two issues
Of prohibition and tariff, it will crawl into its own
grave The price Of Democratic victory is courage and
csndol both in platform and candidate.
It is only recently that there has been any nation
wide appreciation the apparent dearth of these two
characteristics in Governor Roosevelts political make
M The revelation has been the work Of no one but
the Governor himself
Other states have marveled at New Yorks recent
GOODNESS to the Roosevelt candidacy The Cover
nors evasveness has not been apparent from afar
as at home Neither have been his straddling efforts
10 be all things to all men in the Tammany corruption
revelations.
It has taken the attempt to wiggle out Of the
shouse deal to which the Governor and his support
ors we're committed. to cause Democrats throughout
the country better to understand the lack Of en-
for a1di-
dacv today compared to the wild enthusiasm for the
smith candidacy of four years ago.
On TOP of this. Roosevelts attempt to hide behind
mythical spokesman" while he launched peevish
attack on Judge Seabury has not increased his po-
ltical stature This smoke-screen attack is one Of
the worst OF the White House practices resorted to
by Hoover
Governor Roosevelt having invoked it even before
his nomination the question quite naturally arises
as to how far he would so with the same objection
able methods If elected. Nor is this the only IN
fortunate Hooversm of which Roosevelt seems to be
a victim.
The Governor has. during the last few days re-
vealed thinness OF skin a petusncy. and tend
encv TO personal resentment toward all who disagree
with him that is strangely familiar to present-day
Washington newspaper men.
Despite all this on paper at least. Roosevelt today
Is the leading candidate for the Democratic nomina-
ton. one consideration only will determine whether
he is chosen Issues and principles will form this
time forward fade rapidly into the background. The
one question asked will be, Can he win in Novem-
ber?"
The Governors recent record in the Tammany
corruption situation and the Shouse renege; his
resort to position in hiding behind a spokesman
and his growing intolerance OF all opinions but his
own have not tended to strengthen support which
his opponents contend is showing definite signs OF
cracking at a number Of points.
Whether Roosevelt actually can carry New York
state for Democracy this year. in the light Of his
cent record is open question. But even the GER
tainty that he could do so would not be enough.
More and more it becomes obvious that the hope
of the country is Democratic convention that will
test fully in the the heat OF real contest the qualh
cations OF the man it finally selects its standard
bearer for 1882.
The nomination must 60 to by default