The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1938-06-02

phenomenon. It grows out of the
primaries in two widely separated
states, Florida and Pennsylvania.
The fact that it was Democratic
primary in each instance, however,
makes possible this analysis and
discussion of details.
Taking up the primaries in their
order, there was the primary in
Florida where Sen. Claude Pepper,
100 per cent New Dealer, indorser
OF Townsend old-age pensions, and
himself Endorsed by James Roose-
welt, son and secretary of the Pres
ldent, licked the pants off of his
challengers. He polled more votes
than Rep. J. Mark Wilcox and for
mer Gov. Dave Sholtz combined. It
was, without doubt, New Deal VIC
tory for which the President can
claim justifiable credit.
The second primary was that in
pennsylvania where there were
three candidates for the United
States senatorial nomination among
the Democrats and three for the
Democratic gubernatorial nominal
ton. There were two candidates for
the Republican nomination for each
OF these offices, as well, but that
fact will be treated later.
Few party primaries in modern
times developed the bitterness that
famed in the Democratic test in
Pennsylvania. It was the first time
that organized labor, as such, had
come out into the open with avowed
candidates and it was the first time
Democratic National Chairman Far
ley has taken hand in attempting
to tell the voters of state what to
do. In addition, there was a state
party committee which insisted
upon selecting slate of candidates
in regulation boss fashion. So there
were all of the elements of rough
fight, and it happened according to
forecast.
Mr.. Farley made an eleventh
hour public appeal to the Democrats
of Pennsylvania "for harmony" He
asked them to nominate Governor
Earle for the United States senate.
Governor Earle was the choice of
the state committee faction. Mr..
Farley also asked that the Penn
sylvanians nominate Lieut.. Gov.
Thomas Kennedy, secretary-treas-
urer of the United Mine Workers,
for the governorship. Mr.. Kennedy
was thrown overheard by the state
committee but he had the open in
dorsement of John L. Lewis, head
of the c. I. o. labor union. He also
had the backing of Sen. Joseph Cuff
fey, who has constantly served as
President Roosevelt's voice in the
United States senate. The Farley
recommendation thus cast out
Charles Alvin Jones of Pittsburgh,
state committee selection for the
governorship, and it threw Mayor
S. Davis Wilson of Philadelphia into
the discard as far as the Demo-
cratic senatorial nomination was
concerned. Mayor Wilson was a
Lewis-C. I. O.-Guffey candidate.
The Farley announcement, made
on the day before the primary, built
up resentment even from the men
he indorsed. Governor Earle barked
loud and long; so did Lieutenant
Governor Kennedy.
Mr.. Earle won. Mr.. Kennedy
lost. Mr.. Jones won, and shouted
about it. Mayor Wilson lost and
beloved about the interference.
And after the smoke cleared away,
Mr.. Farley said promptly, in eff
feet, Lets all get together and
elect our Democratic candidates"
John D. M. Hamilton, Republican
national chairman, wrote a state
ment while the
Biting sun was coming
Words up on the day fol-
lowing the pri-
mary. He bounced biting words
right off of Mr.. Farley's head. In
substance, he said the Pennsylvania
primary showed: l. The voters of
any state resent interference from
the national headquarters as re-
CARDS their party nominees. 2. The
voters of Pennsylvania showed they
will have nothing to do with John L.
Lewis, despite the fact that prob
ably that state is the most tightly
organized for the c. I. o. of any
state in the country. 3. The Demo-
Gratis of Pennsylvania are firing of
the "crack-pot brains of the Roose-
welt administration.
Mr. Hamilton, further, called at
tention to the fact that two present
Democratic members of the house
of representatives were defeated for
denomination. Representative Stack,
an admirer of Father Coughlin, rad
ical radio priest, and Representa-
tive Crosby, author of Townsend
plan bills in the house, were sup
planted. The Republican chairman
sought to connect their defeat with
a trend away from radicalism which
he says is inherent in the New Deal,
because Mr.. Stack sometimes went
beyond New Deal ground.
Now, as to the Republican battle:
James j. Davis, present senator,
was renominated over G. Mason
Owlett, backed by the Republican
state committee, and Judge Arthur
H. James was nominated for the
governorship over former Gov. Gift
| Dill