Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1937-07-29

columns I have had occasion to
write in praise of
Great Leader Senator Joe Rob
Passes On inson of Arkansas,
the Democratic
leader in the senate. His magnifi-
cent qualities, his capacity as a
statesman and the regard with
which he was held by Republicans
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
ton is the loser because che fought
the good fight"
But Senator Robinson's sudden
death few days ago has precipi-
tated political condition of gravest
importance. Although none of us
who knew him nor those with whom
he was associated in an official
capacity could have foreseen his
sudden death, think it is proper to
say that the passing of Joe Robin
son may have more far-reaching in
f1uence 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 question may be asked: Why
does the death of one man become
so important?
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 a 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.
1t 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 legisla-
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 for the court pack
ing program. Nevertheless, most
Of the astute political observers in
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 Robinson was able to mold
together many groups and cliques
and hold them by the sheer power
OF his lovable personality in a CO.
hesive, workable unit.
The country never will know how
well and faithfully Joe Robinson
fought for the President and his
policies. ! have said in these col
umns heretofore and I repeat that
] do not believe Senator Robinson
favored all of the New Deal poll
cies, in his heart. He was progress
sive but he had sound ideas: he
stood by the President and the New
Deal with courage and capacity, but
on many occasions, I have reason
to believe, he fought for those prin-
ciples because he believed he
should either fight as member of
his party or retire. Further, he
knew that if he would retire he
would not have the opportunity nor
the influence to persuade the radi-
cal wing of the New Dealers to pro-
pose reasonable policies. In other
words, the late Democratic leader
was attempting to be leader in
fact as well as in name and many
are the indications where he was
able to pull the theorists and the
radical New Dealers back from the
brink of political destruction.
In view Of the facts I have re-
ported and the observations have
-. DIR made above, it be-
oe O' comes perfectly
Doomed plain that h e
President is in a
position where he can lose the pres
ent court battle with ease. In fact,
there are many observers who be-
lieve the court legislation will have
to be abandoned and that congress
will be quickly overwhelmed by that
annual desire of representatives and
senators to conclude their work and
adjourn