The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1933-08-14
NEWSPAPERS OPINIONS
!, POLITICAL MACHINE IN THE MAKING

One Of the c!everest of the Washington political
writers, Robert B. Smith, says in recent column,
referring to the patronage activities of Postmaster
General James A. Farley: "And when he gets
through he will have created for Mr.. Roosevelt
one Of the most formidable political machines II
the history of the federal government. 1t wilt be
not merely a Democratic machine, but 4 Roosevelt
machine through and through well oiled. creased
and tested for future campaigns" Warrant for
this sensational although not surprising, statement
is found in the previous statement Of Mr.. Farley
himself published in the American Magazine,
when he said: patronage IS reward for those
who have worked for party victory. It is also an
assistance in building party machinery for the next
election.
Mr. Farley is accredited with extraordinary pc
litical sagacity and judging his ability by results
so far he is one of the 'Smartest" politicians that
ever headed the Democratic National Committee"
However. there still remains room for question as
to whether the kind of machine Mr. Farley con-
templates is the best suited to work nationally as
it has in his own city of New York.
First. although this is Il minor consideration, the
machine is admittedly in the process Of building
for the benefit of one man. Franklin D. Roosevelt.
This is quite understandable, in view of the kcli-
hood that Mr. Roosevelt will be candidate for re-
election in 1886; although we would not overlook
the possibility that by that time either the PreSi-
dent will be so strong that he will need no machine
70 re-elect him, or so weak that no machine can
save him.
What is more fundamental. however, is that
machine composed wholly of appointive officers
posmaSters collectors. district attorneys and such
is one Of the weakest political cOrtriVanceS that
can he set up. except at or two points. 1t may
be useful in collecting delegates, and it can be de-
pended on for campaign contributions as in New
York City; but even there Tammany is kept pow
crfu by the ccascleS catering to local units by the
precinct captains rather than through the personal
influence of the officcholIers who at all times
dcpendent for favors upon the higher-ups. A car-
met officer as a rule gains no political influence
from his position: rather. he loses it, for the ap-
preparations for his department. come from Con-
grcSs, whom he dares not offend. Department Of
fcialS in Washington and postmasters, collectors
and other Federal officials. outside New York,
usually subside into political nonentes after they
have taken the oath, although of course there are
exceptions They may help put up the money for
elections. but the voters do not overlook the fact
that their anxiety for party success is based upon
their desire to keep themselves in office. More
over. they are not personally known to 1.-THE or
the voters in large communities.
The only officcholders who possess real political
strength are those who are eected-Unted States
senators and congressman, governors, mayors, Sc
l2ct1en. They all have been chosen by vote Of
their own constituencies, and generally speaking,
they were men and women Of prominence bcioro
they entered public Office, and did not depend on
Federal, State or county position to invest them
with influence Moreover such power inhu-
encc, as they exert must be used for the benefit
Of all their constituents not for any group or, as
in the present case, for the benefit Of one mar.
Mr. Farley's political philosophy has sort Of a.
Turing smoothnesS, but it does not seem to US that
it goes very deep.-The Boston Transcript