Evening star., 1936-07-06
THE POLITICAL
MILL
BY G. COULD LINCOLN.

Roosevelt. He spoke at the home Of
Thomas Jefferson, so long listed as the
patron saint Of the Democratic party. It
is the contention Of the President and
his followers that had Jefferson lived
today instead of $50 years ago, he would
advocate the same things that Roosevelt
Is advocating. Although the President
did not say as much directly, 1t was
inferred in his address at Monticello
The Democrats who have been brought
up in the school Of JefferSonian democ-
racy still find themselves amazed, how
ever, at the proposals and actions Of
the New Deal President. 1t is to these
Jeffersonian Democrats that the Roose-
welt Democrats wish earnestly to make q
strong appeal before and on election day,
November 3, next. A strong detection on
their part might make 1t extremely
awkward for the Roosevelt Garner ticket
in several States.
Jef1erSonian Democrats like Senators
Glass and Byrd of Virginia are going
right along with the President, although
they do not believe in many Of the New
Deal measures he has put through. They
were both in attendance at the Month
cello meeting and Senator Glass intro
duced the President. He expressed his
pleasure personally" at being able to
present to the audience President Roose-
welt. He has a personal liking for
the President-but not for the measures
which he advocates The truth of the
matter Is that both Glass and Byrd feel
that by remaining regular they can be
more effective in curing the Democratic
party Of New DealismS than by boiling.
Bolting the Democratic national ticket
in Virginia just isn't done, If q leader
wishes to retain his influence in the
State. Furthermore, If Roosevelt is re-
elected, but with very much narrower
margin of control in Congress- these Vir-
ginia Senators may be in q position to
do their part in steering the party back
toward Jeffersonian democracy. Senator
Glass himself comes up for reelection
next November.
There are other Jeffersonian Demo-
Gratis who feel differently. There are, for
example, the five who sent q message to
the Democratic National Convention in
Philadelphia urging the delegates to dis
card Roosevelt and nominate genuine"
Democrat as their candidate for Presi-
dent. Few would deny that former
Senator Jim" Reed of Missouri is q
Jeffersonian Democrat, or AL Smith and
former Gov Ely OF Massachusetts. Yet
these gentlemen have made their opposi-
tion, not only to the denomination, but
also to the reelection of President
Roosevelt, very clear.
The argument of the President is that
If these Democrats nf
ton. like Jefferson were here now they
would be New Dealers. No one can
prove that they would-or for that
matter. that they would not 1t is just
one Of those things that Democrats born
and trained in the theories OF Jeffer-
sonian democracy will have to decide
for themselves.
While President Roosevelt was cele-
brating in honor of Thomas jefferson
at Monticello. Tammany was celebrating
the 150th anniversary of its founding
in Tammany Hall in New York. There,
too. q Democratic Senator, Royal s.
Copeland, spoke up for Roosevelt. Cope
land has been opposed to many Of the
New Deal measures. In his address he
hit at the Capitalization of power in
Washington, which Is one Of the tenets
Of the New Deal. But he, too is going
along with Roosevelt in the coming elec-
ton. The other Democratic Senator,
Robert Wagner, is heart and soul q New
Dealer Al Smith, who was once one Of
the proudest products of Tammany, was
not present.
The support OF Tammany Hall in New
York City is an essential to Democratic
victory in New York this year. Par
ticularly so, since Roosevelt strength in
upstate New York has waned greatly
In the last year or two. The Tammany
leaders were vigorous in their applause
of the mention of Roosevelt's name,
which would seem to indicate they, too.
are going along with the New Deal
President in November. They have had
very little fondness for the President or
for his righthand man, James A. Farley.
What Tammany wishes most Is to be
given a free hand in New York City
affairs. If it can be assured such q
free hand, it may get back of the
President and do lot for him next
Fail.
Gov Eugene Talmadge Of Georgia, who
has been one of the Presidents Severest
critics, has announced his candidacy for
the United States Senate, to run against
Senator Russell, who is an ardent sup
porter of the President. There was a
time when Talmadge proposed to buck
the denomination Of Roosevelt. But he
gave that up when he became convinced
he could get nowhere II he attempted
to take an anti-RooSevelt delegation to
the Democratic National Convention.
Now he has announced his candidacy for
the Senate on a platform that is entirely
anti-New Deal. Talmadge has had q
strong following in his own State when
he has ran for Governor as an opponent
of the New Deal Whether this following
will stick to him in his race for the
nomination against Russell remains to
be seen. Russell was Governor of Georgia
before Talmadge was elected.
k*
The Roosevelt Democrats have counted
strongly on united support Of organized
labor John L. Lewis, president of the
United Mine Workers of America, and
also head Of the movement for industrial
unions in opposition to the old craft
unions Of the American Federation of
Labor, Is New Dealer himself-he
wishes q new deal for organized labor,
He Is going strong. He has made him.
self, apparently, very solid with Presi-
dent Roosevelt. How this Is going to
affect the political situation Is still
something of conundrum. William
Green, president of the American Fed
Grafton Of Labor, is opposed to the New
Deal for organised labor v{,fct, T ax,;c i~