Coulee City dispatch. [volume] (Coulee City, Wash.) 19??-19??, 1938-02-03

ton at this phase of the moment, we
CLEAN that riffs and dilemmas are con-
fronting the major party here, there
and everywhere, so deep and bitter
that the aggregate Of these alarming
views suggests an antemoltem bulle
tin by doctors from the bedside Of
the distinguished patient.
1t appears that the brilliant young
governor of Kentucky is dallying with
the idea of fitting with Senator Al
ben w. Barley, the party's majority
leader in the upper house, for the
Kentucky's senatorship. Now those
of Vi who have something to do with
the national organization and are
supposed to keep in touch with all
party activities thought that this in
cident was just one Of the ordinary
political perturbations that always
come at this time in a Congressional
election year. In fact, I have some
difficulty in recalling any similar
period during which one or more am
bilious Democrat has not indicated
hie aspiration to toxic the place of
some outstanding member of the
house or senate.
Curiously enough, no suggestion Of
party shipwreck or other terrific
calamity has accompanied these man
ifestations.
! In tho ordinary course of events,
when the convention or the primary
in any indicated case has recorded
the verdict Of the Democrats of that
section, the Democratic National
Committee has supported the victor
and, in nine cases out Of ten, the de-
feated candidate has promptly STEP
ped into the ranks and worked loyal
ly for the election of the victor.
Just how my fellow columnists
are able to figure that because one
Democrat is trying to succeed another
Democrat in position Of influence
and honor it should cause any party
embarrassment is rather difficult to
understand. Perhaps the answer is
that my fellow word-painters and sit
uation surveyors see no sensational
headlines in the mere fact Of a pri'
mary or contention contest, 80 they
build up these towering structures OF
deep significance with sort Of pep
impulse.
Contests a Healthy Sign
| Actually, the circumstance of clash.
ing ambitions is a symptom of health
and not of disintegration in any sue
cessful party. You rarely hear of such
conflicts unless nomination is con-
coded to be a. practical guarantee Of
election. It would be something new
ito find men striving for the glory OF
being a loser.
Pretty much the same situation ex-
lists in Florida, where number OF
sturdy Democrats have the idea 1t
would be a nice thing to substitute
! themselves-or one of themselves
for Senator Peppers place, and 1
dare say that there might be half
dozen episodes of the same sort in
process Of development throughout
the country.
It is no part of my job to venture
on the sea Of prophecy in regard to
Democratic candidates. Usually, but
of course not always, the incumbent
comes out on top.
It is not difficult to recall that the
late Senator Robinson, Alben Bark.
ley's predecessor a. majority leader,
was always being menAced. whenever
1t happened it provided more food for
hostile writers to elaborate their
cheering thought that Democratic par
ty chaos lay just ahead. I doubt If
there is one among these eminent
Journalists who could recall off-hand
even the name Of the aspirant who
was supposed to be threatening Sen
ator Robinson's prestige and position,
and thereby periling the solidarity of
tho Democratic party.