Evening star., 1934-02-14

One Of the most striking incidents
in American public life is the general
praise of Senator Carter Glass of Vir-
ginia for sincerity and courage, while
he antagonizes the President and lead
ers of his own party on the gold Ques-
ton. Newspaper comment voices the
belief that his fight for the precious
metal may have increased his popu-
larity, even with those who held to
different opinions. His hold upon the
public imagination is credited to q
lifetime of honest politics.
"Mr. Roosevelt sees the present eco
nomic problems facing the country" i"
according to the Richmond Times
Dispatch, from q point of view dia-
metrically opposed to that of Senator
Glass. The vast majority Of Ameri-
cans are on the side Of the President.
Time alone will tell whether Mr..
Roosevelt or Mr.. Glass is correct. But,
right or wrong, M. Glass is entitled
to praise for putting up his fight, for
eSpouSing o cause he knew to be
doomed when he lowered his lance.
He has battled for what he honestly
believes to be right. Citizens can
ask no more of q representative than
that"
Sincerity and courage are synony-
nous for Carter Glass" says the
Roanoke Times, "a fact Of which the
people OF Virginia have been aware
for many years. They are enthusi-
aStically and Loyalty supporting the
Presidents recovery program, but they
respect Senator Glass for being true
to his convictions, knowing that, be-
cause he is Carter Glass, he could not
do otherwise. He is not only a great
Senator, but a great American, and
Virginia appreciates his worth and re-
spects his integrity no less than his
intellect" The Times also quotes
statements that the Senator's attitude
has aroused admiration even among
those who disagree with him"
Regardless CT whether he Is right
or wrong" in the opinion Of the Bal
timore Sun, people like man Of sim
cerity and courage. These things Sem
way he thinks, but he talks publicly
the way he talks privately, and has
expressed his views to the President.
personally, even more emphatically
than on the Senate floor. Plenty of
Democratic Senators share his views,
but he alone stands up and says no.
The others are full of hollow alibis
as to why they can't do the same"
"Mcral courage" declares the Nash
vile Banner, "is quality among pub
lie men which unfaiingly commands
admiration, even though the individ-
ual displaying it often, because of his
adherence to conviction In the face
of an adverse public sentiment. may
assure his retirement from public life.
Sometimes, however, obedience to the
dictates of conscience and to duty as
conceived to be commands such re-
spect that even a constituency hold
ing different views retains in official
station the man exhibiting this high
quality. The case of Carter Glass af-
fords a striking illustration of the
value of character and of courage as
political assets. During the Senate
investigation last year into the affairs
of the House Of Morgan, when the
disclosures were of nature that sur
prised and shocked the country, the
Virginia Senator dared to object to
mode Of inquiry which he deemed
unfair, and vigorously challenged
some Of the tactics pursued by Mr..
pecora, counsel for the committee,
Had a man in whose integrity the
country had less confidence than that
entertained for Mr.. Glass taken such
q position his plea for Morgan would
L.. - IL
criticism and to even serious imputa-
tions. Yet no word of distrust Of
Mr.. Glass motives was ever heard.
The whole country knew that he was
as honest as he was fearless" The
Banner feels that che has not lost
stature With the Democrats Of ais