Carbon County news., 1937-03-26
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Alignment President Roose-
velt's plan to re-
form the Supreme court Of the
United States show some phases not
hitherto evident in political fights.
One of these, / believe, portends
important changes in the political
alignment in this country. I have
reported to you in these columns
many times evidences of a growing
trend toward a new political align
ment and I can say now that moth
ing which has taken place since
Mr.. Roosevelt took his New Deal
into the White House has given such
impetus to this coming realignment
as his proposal that congress pass
a law giving him authority to
name six more justices for the high
est court.
The information coming into
Washington these days shows very
plainly that the Roosevelt court
packing proposal is calling forth op-
position from both Of the major po-
litical parties. In other words, the
opposition to the Presidents move
is probably nonpartisan to a greater
extent than any issue before the
American people in the last SO
years. It will be remembered that
the late President Wilson'S proposal
that the United States enter the
League of Nations falls within that
period of time and while there was
both Democratic and Republican
opposition to Mr. Wilson'S program,
it can not be said to have extended
among the rank and file Of the DEM
ocratic party, then in power, to. the
extent that Mr.. Roosevelt's court
packing project has permeated the
lists of Democratic voters.
have endeavored to gain the
views of many individuals respect
ing the prospects Of a new political
alignment but few Of the men whose
judgment is best politically are will
ing to make guess. A consider
able number Of them say frankly
that they are unable to guess. On
the other hand, however, there was
general agreement that Mr.. Roose-
welt, by suddenly tossing his court
program into the lap Of congress,
has given momentum to move
ment that for some months appears
to have been simply marking time.
l. There are certain facts on this
phase of the court battle that appear
obvious. They are influential and
important as well.
Take for example the fact that
Mr.. Roosevelt does not have the
backing of the so-called solid South
for his proposition. Now, the Demo-
cratic party for three-quarterS of a
century has maintained the South
as stronghold Of its party. In
deed, in every presidential: and
congressional election, Republican
politicians began calculating what
the Democratic strength could be
at the maximum by conceding 1S
states to the Democrats. How diff
ferent is the situation, now.
One can go through the lists Of
representatives in congress from
the South and find |
DlHeTenC them rather even |
Story ly divided One
will find among |
Mr.. RooseVelt's opponents in this |
battle numerous senators and rep
resentatives who have supported
him on every other item of legisla-
ton that he has recommended to
congress. Now, however, the story
is different.
Another interesting phase Of the
legislative situation is that the bulk
of the true and constant liberals
il the senate and the house have
taken a stand against the PROPOSE
ton of increasing the Supreme court
from nine to fifteen members.
These two points do not repre-
sent all of the factors opposing the
plan by any means, but
I think it can be definitely said that
if Mr.. Roosevelt is defeated in his
demand at this time, the two fac
tors that I have named will have
been the deciding influences.
Having influences like those just
expanding in their scope,
portends, as I suggested above, a
considerable shake-up in party af-
of a lasting kind. I do not
mean to say that all of the liberals
who are opposing the plan and all
Of the Democrats who are opposing
The court-packing will refrain from
Mr.. Roosevelt on other
issues in the future. I do mean to
however, that some of
hem will not return to the ranks
If Roosevelt stalwarts.
Thus it becomes rather obvious,
think, that the conservative ranks
n congress will be increased to the
extent that some Of the defections,
caused by Mr.. Roosevelt's court
result in permanent ad-