The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-07-14

idential campaign, they chose Rob- inson. He had gained prestige as leader of his party in the Sem ate and was popular in the south where religious outbursts against Smith threatened to split demo- cratic ranks. Loss of the election failed to disturb Robinson. He went back to the Senate and later plunged into @ vigorous attack upon Smith because the latter aS- sailed Franklin D. Roosevelt.
 Between Two Extremes
 Robinson's job as Senate ma jority leader after MT. Eoosevelt's victory in 1892 was to maintain Q balance between the conserva- tive democrats, largely from the south, and the more aggressive, more radical forces from the north and west so that New Deal legislation would have smooth sailing.
 The task was not easy. Robin- son had to be in his seat at noon whenever Congress was in session. He had to be prepared to defend Roosevelt politics from attacks ny republicans or those members of his own party who disagreed with him. His booming voice was heard almost daily.
 Astute politicians agreed that during the Hoover administration many pieces of legislation would have been defeated had 1t not been for Robinson's cooperation. Without his aid and London Naval Treaty, which he helped to nego- tiate, might not have been ratified.
 Robinson supported his republic colleagues in the fight over confir- nation of Charles Evans Hughes as Chief Justice of the U. s. Su- preme Court and again when vig- orous efforts were being made to deny 8 Senate seat to James J. Davis of Pennsylvania.
 Champion of Wilson
 The Arkansan was an aggres- sive champion of Woodrow Will son, the League of Nations alb1 the World Court. In March, 1922, Wilson wrote him to say how deeply I value your confidence and good opinion" and to add, T have come to feel for you a gen. timely affectionate regard"
 Robinson and the late Will Rogers enjoyed a close friendship. Rogers frequently was @ luncheon guest in Robinson's Capitol office, where the fare usually consisted of fish or game which Robinson, had bagged on a weekend trip. When Roboinson received the vice. presidential nomination ct Houston, Texas, in 1928, Roger. wrote:
 "Joe Robinson fot the nomina- ton with more democrats agreeing than ever agreed on one thing in the history of the party
 A member of the Methodist church, Robinson supported pro- hibition measures. He was known as 8 dry but not an extremist. Tn the March, 1881, meeting of the democratic national committee, when Chairman John J. Raskob the paramount Vetaoishrdluuuupp endeavored to make prohibition the paramount issue, Robirson's massive frame shook with anger and he roared:
 "You cannot write on the ban- ner of the democratic party, howeverever much you may desire to do so, the skull and crossbones emblematic of an outlawed trade, and expect the masses of the decocrats to accept your recom- mendat:on without resistance"
 Robinson and the late Sena- tor Huey P. Long tangled bitterly during Longs Eenate career. The two shook fists, pounded desks and several times approached fistic encounter, Whenever the word went out that Robinson and Long planne da verbal battle the Senate was crowded to capacity. When it was over, Robinson told his friends he enjoyed it."