, 1935-04-28
ALFRED FACES
EARLY SAY IN
SENATE RACE
HToO Oppose Sheppard
Must Do So I'm 1886,
Is Way p olitica |
Seers See Situation
By RAYMOND BROOKS

BY RAYMOND BROOKS
AUSTIN. April 27.-Since U. 8.
Senator Morris Sheppard Is certain
Of opposition next year anyway,
Gov. James ". Alfred will face an
early decision. In the light Of a cor
dial personal friendship between
them. whether he shall contest with
Sheppard tor the senate seat.
Tn, decision is forced this year
because, II Sheppard * reelected.
A will be six years before the race
Is to be made again; and If he
loses, some new senator would be
entrenched In a long first term. II
will be four years until Senator
Connally seeks reelection. and there
haven't been many who figured even
SIN outside chance against Connally
for = long time TO come.
The young Congressman Martin
Dies Of the Beaumont district. and
the veteran Congressman Joe VI.
Eagle of Houston. already have
given evidence or their purpose 70
oppose Sheppard. Each has been IN
Texas recently. oStensibly laying
foundations for the race.
viii Take a DRY"
Both these men will have the
same handicap. TO such degree that
II Il injurious 70 a statewide race,
as Sheppard. I'm that their field OF
action IN official life has been IN
Washington. Sheppard'S service all
the long career that makes him the
oldest IN point OF continuous serv-
ice I'M the senate. has been state
wide.
Governor Alfred. should he get
into tho senatorial race. easily
would dominate the opposition 10
Sheppard.
He and his friends have clearly
recognized the political axiom that
u would undoubtedly take a dry 70
make the best race against the
leader Of all the drys, the author Of
the 18th amendment. This rs on the
theory that successful opposition
otaY could come 70 a man who could
NV far into the dry support. and
break even on the vet support. or
yet a little the best OF II. Alfred.
a pronounced dry, supported In his
campaign and as governor. the de-
mand that the state constitution
liquor repeal issue should 20 to The
PEOPLE through the same procedure
that made possible the drvs putting
state prohibition into effect. This
rs assumed TO have won recognition
among the vets for It's fairness. In
the light of a sufficient dry bloc
Al the Texas legislature 70 have de-
feated submission. except that N
followed Allred's program TO give
the voters "A say.
Sheppard. though a veteran, Is
not an old man. He has the
strength and ties OF long service,
and the record Of having looked
after the individual personal re-
quests and affairs OF many thou
sands OF his Texas constituents.
Alfred Il Smart
Alfred has the advantage az being
back close TO the home people, Of
youth. Of the colorful and dynamic
personal leadership of the demo-
cratic party in Texas. OF a recent
spectacular victory In the COVER
nor'S race.
Both his and Sheppard's records
are equally outstanding IN support
OF President Roosevelt.
Alfred has shown political Sagac-
ity beyond his years In one matter
There Is no dlscord between the wet
Vice Pres. Garner and the dry Sen.
Sheppard. but Alfred, through his
personal effort. caused Garner To
hold his present post as democratic
national executive committeeman
from Texas. There are perhaps
more voters who diSapprove oi
doubling up governmental and party
offices than who favor it, but
this does not mitigate the warm
personal support that Alfred might
expect from Gamers camp. Few
people underestimate the power OF
Gamers support, when the recall
the ramificatiOnS of the Garner-for-
President boomlet in Texas.
Here Is the negative side OF the
situation Therein Allred's decision.
for or against. Is 10 be made this
year al to the 1886 senatorial race
Alfred will be completing his first
term as governor. He could be re-
elected without serious opposition.
under the two-term principle. ~
ne should not run for the senate.
ne would 60 ahead and complete a
second term, while the voters, Us Is
traditional. turned 70 new men and
rev ISSUES during that second term
10 the succession I'm the governors
office. He would BE- out 81 pubic
office for two years before the SEN
atorial race Of 1912 came on. The
title OF "eX iS devastating 70 a can
dida.>. And, II somebody defeated
Sheppard. he would have 70 tackle
n second-term race OF n strong man
strong enough 70 beat Sheppard
viii be really strong
Another negative factor IA that
the swing from prohibition senti-
ment TO rampant anti-sentiment
has already reached It's fullness
The trend will be toward modifi-
cation o middle ground from now
ON. There Is lots Of dry senti-
ment left. Witness the election Of
Dry Alfred and Dry Connally IN
1884. If Sheppard weathers the
moistneSS OF 1886. he would in al
probability be n still stronger op-
f7cnent IN the next rae so far as
The dominant political issue OF his
public career, prohibition. is con-
cerned.
TAose who want to can argue that
"A AZ. NwmAww - -.- IA. IT. -