Evening star., 1937-07-18

h1 JOHN n. SLlNt.
TINE Senate revolt against PreSi-
dent Roosevelt's plan TO raor-
ganize the Supreme Court,
Il whether it succeeds or fails in
the end. should 20 far to rekindle
waning faith in the efficiency Of demo-
cratic government.
For the first time in many long
years the legislative branch of the
Government, independent under the
Constitution, has asserted its inde-
pendence unequivocally.
The full significance Of this declara-
ton of independence cannot be un-
derstood unless two facts are borne
in mind First. that the leaders and
the majority Of the rank and file Of
the revolving Senators are Democrats.
Second, that they have had the
courage to stand for what they be-
lieve is right in the face of strong
pressure from one of the countrv's
most popular Presidents. backed by a
political machine that has the power
to crush opposition and the will to
use it.
Senator's have stood their ground
against Presidents in the past. but
never before have they done so when
it seemed so certain that swift polit-
ical death would be their reward.
G. o. P. Fought Wilson.
During the historic ba tile between
the Senate and Woodrow Wilson, with
American acceptance of the League
OF Nations hanging In the balance.
the legislators displayed courage and
determination. But the leaders then
we're Republicans. and the Democratic
PRESIDENT could not read them out of
their party. Furthermore, they were
fghtlne a President whose popularity
with the people was fading Just prior
to the congressional elections of 1918
Mr., Wilson made a dramatic and elo-
quent appeal for the return of Demo-
cratic maJorities in both houses of
Congress. When the ballots were
counted, however Republican ma lori
ties had been returned to both House
and Senate.
Today there Is no evidence that Mr..
Roosevelt's personal popularity has de-
creased, or that the efficiency Of the
Democratic political organization has
declined.
Inc organization already has made
It's nrst retaliatory move. Senate,
frederick Van Nuys was elected bv
the voters of Indiana in 1892 as a
New Dealer. and he supported the
President consistently until the ad-
vent OF the court bill. On that vital
issue he chose to be guided by the
dictates OF his conscience, which he
believed came ahead Of party loyalty
Ak Is Sharpened.
Van Nuys opposed the bill and nov
the ak Is about 10 fall. After a con.
ference with President Roosevelt last
week 1ndiana's Gov NJ Clifford
Townsend made 1t clear that Var
Nuys will have to run for reelection
without the support and probably
against the open opposition of the
Democratic party.
In all probability the same intro
party punishment awaits the othe,
Democrats who have stood firm in
their opposition to the bill. That al
OF them have had the courage t
sacrifice expediency for principle |,
convincing evidence that democracy ir
America has not yet been replaced by
the virtual equivalent Of totalitariar
state.
SO far the Democratic opposition II
the Senate has to large exten,
rallied around the leadership of fou,
men-Wheeler, McCarran, Burke ane
o'Mahoney. Other opponents hav,
been outspoken. notably Clark of Mis-.
souri,. Connally Of Texas, King o.
Utah, Copeland Of New York, Tydin9,
OF Maryland. and Maloney and Lon.
ergan Of Connecticut. But for thu
most part the fight on the floor ha.
been led by the so-called -Four Horse.
| men,
Since this foursome is waging 8
hight that is OF paramount interest t.
the Nation. brief review of thei,
careers Is in order. Certainly thert
is nothing in the record of any o,
them to justify the charges Of part,
disloyalty that have been hurled b,
administration supporters.
Burton K. Wheeler Of Montana wa,
first elected to the Senate In 1922
He has been consistently on the sid,
Of liberalism. despite the tact that thi