Evening star., 1934-06-17
When Democrats Fall Out.

When Democrats Fall Out.
Democratic chickering's of serious
proportions have broken out in q
number of important States over
party nominations. This, it is argued,
is healthy sign. 1t indicates that
the Democrats are up and coming
and realize the value of Democratic
nominations this year. An overdose
of rowing, however. is likely to leave
political party in serious condition.
These Democratic troubles have mani
tested themselves in New York, In
diana, Massachusetts,, Ohio. Maryland
and Pennsylvania, for example. Here
and there it is a case of Roose-
welt Democrat versus anti Roosevelt
Democrat. And again there are
traces of administration effort to aid
one candidate or defeat another. The
President, it is declared. is keeping
his hands off primary and intra- a-party
fights this year. But some of his
friends have had the itch to get
into these contests and they have
done so.
The Democratic State Convention
in Massachusetts, has just Endorsed
Brig. Gen. Charles H. Cole for Gov
ernor and Senator David I. Walsh for
Senator. 1t was a foregone conclu-
sion that Walsh would receive in
dorsement for denomination. The
trouble came over the gubernatorial
nomination, with Gov. Ely fatty de-
clining to run again. Former Mayor
James M Curley of Boston, who led
the Intellectual fight for Roosevelt
delegation to the Democratic Ma
tional Convention in 1882, ran poor
second to Cole. Walsh was on the
other side of that fight, and Cole is
eminently satisfactory to Walsh as a
running mate. The administration
forces, apparently, have determined
that the only thing they can do in
the Bay State is to go along with
Walsh. Postmaster General Farley.
chairman of the Democratic National
Committee, delivered an address at
Worcester the night before the State
convention, indorsing the Senator
heartily.
In Maryland the struggle among
the Democrats for the gubernatorial
nomination has reached almost a
fever heat, with Gov. Ritchie still
clinging to his intention to seek a
fifth term. George L. Radcliffe, who
managed the Roosevelt campaign in
Maryland in 1882, has been trotted
out finally in an effort to take the
nomination from either Ritchie or
Mayor Jackson of Baltimore. The
Radcliffe supporters are Offering
Ritchie the Democratic nomination
for the Senate. So far none of the
Democratic leaders seems to have
cared what became of the senatorial
nomination.
The Democrats in Indiana have
just made their nominations for Sen
ator after a knock-down- and drag
out fight between Gov. McNutt and
former State Chairman Earle Peters.
In Ohio former Gov. Donahey,
Honest VIC; Gov White and Repre-.
sentative Truax have been leading
candidates for Governor. Donahey.
who has not declared himself whole
heartedly for Roosevelt and the new
deal, has always been a great vote
getter in the State. So some of the
friends of the administration have
rushed Representative Charles West
into the arena, fearing that White
might not take Donahey's measure
in the primary. Pennsylvania Demo-
Gratis have already gone through their
primary, which has left some deep
scars. Up in New York they have
still to nominate a senatorial candi-
date and there have been intimations
that the administration forces would
like to see Senator Copeland displaced
by a man who would run more closely
with the pack.
Republican victories in a majority
of these States in the gubernatorial
and senatorial elections next Fall
would be a bitter pill for the Roose-
velt Democrats and the new dealers.
It is too early to make predictions,
with the campaign still in the
shaping. 1t is clear, however, that
with no presidential race to add to
the interest and with Democrats not
enthusiastic for some of their candi-
dates, the Republicans may fare
better than has been believed possible.