The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-05-12
NEWSPAPERS OPINION
REPUBLICAN REBUILDING

f. Americans who really believe in two-party gov
eminent must welcome the resuscitation OF the
Republican party. For more than year the. coun-
try has been without the services of an effective
opposition, but there are increasing signs that that
esse ,ltial office is to be resumed. Republicans IN
congress are beginning to get their breath back
Few of them are as sound and penetrating critics
of the new deal as that old-fashioned Democrat
Senator Glass; but they have raised salutary oo-
jections to some phases of the Roosevelt regime
notably the handling of the airmail incident
Now comes announcement of the reorganization
of the Republican National committee. And that
raises the question, What kind of opposition can
be organized? The news that Mr.. Everett Sanders
is resgning as chairman and that former Senator
Watson is seeking the job has brought counter
moves from the more progressive element in the
party, demanding that the Republican new deal
begin with liberal, young and western chairman
In this connection it is reported that Mr.. Hoe
ver as titular head of the party, will have hand
in turning it toward a more progressive position,
although resolved not to be presidential candi-
date himself in 1886. 1t is recalled that he opposed
Mr.. Watson as Republican leader in the senate.
Mr.. Hoover retains considerable influence = it
should not be forgotten that 100000 people
voted for him-and certainly on this question he
will be backed up by host of Republicans who
are determined that the Democratic party shall
have no monopoly on liberalism and social reform.
There has been noticeable lack of an opposition
program.
The best the Republican leaders in congress have
done in the way of discovering tissues" is to at
tack the reciprocal tariff plan and jump in behind
the veterans lobby in the destruction of the Econ
omy Act. On neither has their stand been consis-
tent with Republican tradition or useful to the
country. For the rest there has been some hit or
miss shipping at the Observation-Disclosures that
it was destroying the Constitution, setting up
dictatorship, or launching into Communism
However, as opponents begin to discover IA
tional ground on which they can turn and fight,
as the administration accumulates mistakes, and
as the country as whole becomes more prosper
ous-and more vocal-there will be increasing op-,
portunity for the Republican party.
What use shall be made of that opportunity?
Shall the Republican party "stand pat and mere
ly wait for reaction against Rooseveltian expert
ments Or shall it take positive and more ad-
vanced position? Recent shifting. of party aeg-
lance and the support given Mr.. Roosevelt by Re-
publicans has encouraged the hope that at last the
PdItleo miSHI DeCOHne 1IoHl edCI
other by their principles
The assumption has been that the Republican
party would become frankly conservative and ell
Democrats would be liberals, A certain curious
reversal Of roles has fostered such an alignment.
The Democrats, from being the traditional uphold
ers of state rights have become in practice fed
eralists building up the power of the central gov
eminent. The Republicans have become the spa-
cial defenders of individual and local liberties
against Washington And they have been stealing
Democratic thunder, announcing themselves as
"true liberals ~ -
Should this movement be continued, as Mr..
Hoover and Senator Borah evidently desire, or
should the party swing back to more conserya-
tive attitude? Regardless of desires, the latter
course is the more likely. And possibly if Repub-
liean Strength is based more definitely on the East
more of the partys Irogressves viii pass definitely
to the Democrats =.
1t would be pity if the parties should divide
wholly on SECTIONAL lines But this danger is rot
Immediate. There are too many progressiyes in
the West who will remain Republicans and too,
MANY conservatives in the South whos will ren,a;4
Democrats And the risk 81 sectional division is 81
remote that it should not deter eoIts to have the
parties divide more definitely on principles and
seek office to advance those principles rather than
merely to enjoy the spoils-The Christian Science
Monitor. . y;