Evening star., 1936-08-23

the r. & p. are q series Of progressive
and fast-growing little cities. To the
south of the railroad Is largely farm
ing country. The cities along the
railroad are for the most part rail-
road towns" A large and influential
portion of their population is depen-
dent upon the railroad. either directly
or indirectly. for existence. Some
three years ago, the Texas Legislature
redistricted the State and when 1t did
so it cut from Blanton's district sever
al of the farming counties. where he
was very strong, and put the voting
strength of the district in the cities
on the T. & P. Railroad labor has
big influence in these cities and
Blanton had long ago incurred the
wrath of the organized railroad
brotherhoods. That this redistricting
had its effect is apparent from Blan-
tons 1884 race. In that contest he
secured a clear majority over two
opponents, but only by a margin OF
about 1000 votes. When the new dis
trict was first created some of Blan-
tons friends were fearful that it
would prove a great obstacle to his
continuance in Office, but apparently
their fears were lulled when he pulled
through in 1884.
Because the Texas primaries are. for
all practical purposes, final in their
result, it means that party labels and
party machines play little part in the
voting The result is somewhat anal
ogous to pure democracy, that Is, an
election where the individual is the
main issue with little consideration
given to previous party activity or the
organized backing of any political fac
ton. This means that a candidate
seeking nomination finds himself alone
appealing to the whole citizenship.
He has neither the aid of the national
party strength nor of a local party
organization.
Supported New Deal.
In the Blanton campaign this situ-
alton had its effect. Blanton, for the
most part, supported President Roose-
velts program. He voted against re-
peal and for the immediate payment
of the bonus, but aside from these
measures his record for straight sup
port of the New Deal was excellent.
President Roosevelt is undoubtedly
very popular in this congressional dis
trict; in fact, it is probable that he is
as strong here today as in any section
of Texas. Yet aside from the fact
that the Blanton forces repeatedly
called attention to this support of the
President. Blanton gained nothing
whatever from his New Deal record or
the fact that he was high-ranking
House Democrat seeking reelection
in an Overwhelmingly Democratic dis
trict during q Democratic admins
| tration.
The issue was only himself.
Throughout the campaign the ques-
ton citizens asked was, Are you
going to vote against Blanton?" 1t
was entirely a personal matter and
| OLD enmities decided the question.
Blanton has never been a man of
great personal popularity, which prob
ably accounts for the reason that
lllIOuSilOuC lllS COiiSlcoSlOiidi SdiCCA iic
was seldom without opposition. Texas
is almost unique in its treatment Of
it's Representatives. Once in Office
they generally are returned to Wash
| ington without strong opposition.
Many of the veteran members of the
Texas delegation in Washington are
renominated year after year without
any opponents at all. Others have op-
position that is purely nominal. In a
State that has 81 House members, it
is rare that there are more than half
a dozen real contests in an election
year. The others make strong per-
sonal friends. many friendly acquair-
tances that stand them in good stead
in this system Of appealing directly
to the voters without regard to party
or clique. Blanton failed to do that,
and in the crisis he stood almost alone
| OF course. he has many friends here
and in other parts of his district and
a number Of them took the stump for
him, but the campaign was for the
most part a personal affair and he
bore the brunt of it alone. From
daylight to late at night he drove over
|