The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1937-07-14
ROBINSON DIES
THIS MORNING

! Jane Robinson. He obtained his
early education at home and in
rural schools and at the age Of II
Ibegan teaching school to earn
money to enable him to continue
his studies. He attended the
Arkansas State University and
pursued his law course at the
University Of Virginia. He was
admitted to the bar in 1896.
On December Is, 1896, Sena-
tor Robinson married Miss Ewilda
Gertrude Miller. They had no
children.
Fearless Fighter
The circumstances that con-
fronted the Democratic party in
1928 brought Senator Robinson
to play a fearless role in the
memorable campaign of that year.
Leaders of the party were torn
between inclination and doubt. No
Catholic ever had been nominated
for president by major party.
The South and the West were
dry. Still, Governor Smith had
become the outstanding Democrat
and his nomination scarcely could
be denied.
While other Democrats waited
for more tangible indications that
might point the way to a judicious
course, Senator Robinson rose one
day in the Senate and took severe
~ to task Senator Helm of Ala
CANA, Democrat, who, almost
daily. had been assailing Cover
nor Smith and what he termed
the Roman aoatholicp political ma
chine. Senator Robinson electri-
fled his colleagues with his appeal
for religious tolerance. ~
No one, he said, should be denied
the right to ask for the highest
honors in the gift of his country
men because of the way in which
he worshipped. Nor was it devo-
ton to the Democratic principles
declared by Jefferson, he assert
ed, to inveigh arguments contra
dictory to the constitutional pro-
vision which says no religious test
shall be exacted of a candidate.
Speech Made Him
Such an argument coming from
the party leader in the Senate, a
Protestant from an overwhelming
|ly Protestant Southern state when
the topic still was looked upon as
political quagmire, provoked .
range of interesting discussion
Some observers contended the
Senator by its utterance had made
himself applicable for the presi-
Dental nomination should Cover
nor Smith fail to muster enough
votes. Others, even at that early
date. declared his nomination for
vice-president was inevitable.
However canny may have been
those predictions, Senator Robin
son found the opportunity to reit-
crate his opinions before the Hous-
ton convention of which he was
chairman. Quite unexpectedly,
he reasserted the principles Of re-
ligious freedom at the end of a
prepared speech and his words
turned the convention hall into an
uproar with delegates fighting and
shouting. He was nominated for
vice-president on the first ballot
With the same directness that
had stamped his earlier actions,
Senator Robinson swung into the
campaign. He submerged him
self entirely and sought rather to
draw human picture of Governor
Smith to the couEtry.
Disappointed In Smiths Defeat
Although he was not a man TO
be led away by superficial indi-
cations. it is safe to say that the
overwhelming defeat of Governor
Smith and himself was a great dis
appointment to Senator Robinson.
He was convinced that the South
would remain Democratie and
Republican victory IN four states
Of that section was . great sur
prise to hinG
Rather than let his disappoint-
IHent embitter him. Robinson re-
turned 90 the Senate to re-cement
his party there solidly and direct
ed the path toward reconstruction.
His leadership was so effective
that he was able not only to hold
Democrats. but also drew sup
port from Republican independ-
tents. The formation of that
coalition in spite Of the great Re-
| publican victory at the polls stood
as a serious threat at the outset
Of the Hoover administration and
gave the Democratic party 4 DO.
sition Of importance entirely dis
rroportionate with the devastat-
ing defeat L had suffered.
Named Senate Leader
Senator Robinson won his spurs
in leadership Of his party At the
1920 Democratic National conven-
ton at San Francisco when he
s@rved IS chairman during the
trying grind Of - ballots. The