Carbon County news., 1937-07-30

-. write in praise o
AIedt Leouer Senator Joe Rob
Passes On inson of Arkansa!
T. s~ the Democratic
leader in the senate. His rnagnifi
cent qualities, his capacity as q
statesman and the regard will
which he was held by Republicans
4 and Democrats alike were such that
further praise from this pen would
be OF little value. Suffice it to say
! that in Joe Robinson's death the ma
tion is the loser because 'the fought
the good fight"
But Senator Rohinson's sudden
death a few days ago has precipi.
tated q political condition Of gravest
Importance. Although none of US
who knew him nor those with whom
ne was associated In an official
capacity could have foreseen his
sudden death, ! think 1t is proper to
say that the passing of Joe Robin.
son may have more far-reaching In.
huence upon his country's history
than all Of his long and distin-
guished career in public life. That
is to say, fate possibly has turned
in this instance to the role it some
times plays-the role Of master
strategist.
The answer is simple. Joe Robin
son was the field marshal for the
Roosevelt administration. Particu-
larly. he was the field marshal in
the greatest legislative battle to
reach the floors of congress since
the days of slavery. and this coin
cided with the daring adventure Of
an epochal administration.
President Roosevelt leaned upon
Senator Robinson to put through the
senate q bill that would permit the
Chief Executive to appoint addition
al justices Of his own choosing to
membership in the Supreme court
of the United States. He leaned
upon the Arkansas senator for many
other things as well. but it seems
to be the consensus of opinion that
Mr.. Roosevelt's administration may
well stand or fall by the success or
failure Of his program to reorganize
the judiciary Of the United States.
It seems further that If the Presi-
dent fails to obtain congressional
approval for this plan which would
give the President domination over
the court system Of the country, he
will have lost control Of the Iegisla-
tive branch Of the government for
the remainder Of his. term. Few
Presidents have been able to carry
on successfully without the cooper
alton Of the legislative branch.
1t is too early, Of course, to say
whether the death of Senator Robin.
son means defeat of the court pack
ing program. Nevertheless. most
of the astute political observers In i
Washington-indeed. many of the
Presidents own party in the senate
believe that the passing Of the
Democratic leader was fatal blow
to the Presidents power in con.
gress. This results from the fact
that Joe RobinsolI was able to mold
together many groups and cliques
and hold them by the sheer power
Of his lovable personality in a co.
nesive, workable unit.
The country never will know how
well and faithfully Joe Robinson
fought for the President and his
policies. l have said in these col. |
lmns heretofore and l repeat that
| do not believe Senator Robinson |
favored all OF the New Deal poll.
cies. in his heart. He was orogres.
Sive but he had sound ideas; he
stood by the President and the New
Deal with courage and capacity, but
IN nar.y occasions. | have reason
70 believe. he fought for those prin-
:iples because he believed he
should either fight as member of
lis party CO retire. Further, he
Knew that it he would retire he
would not have the opportunity nor
he influence to persuade the radi.
:al wing # the New Dealers to pro.
Jose reasonable policies. In other
words, the late Democratic leader
vas attempting to be leader in
act as well as in name and many
ire the indications where he was
lble to pull the theorists and the
'adical New Dealers back from the
'rinkg of political destruction.
In view OF the facts / have re.
,orted and the observations | have
..,, made above. it be.
Court Bill comes perfectly
Doomed plain that h e
President is in a
,osition where he can lose the pres.
mt court battle with ease. In fact,
here are many observers who be-
ieve the court legislation will have
o be abandoned and that congress
will be quickly overwhelmed by that
nnual desire of representatives and