The Skyland post. [volume] (West Jefferson, N.C.) 193?-1988, 1938-09-29
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WASHINGTON

Washington.-The failure of the
Presidents attempt to purge" the
Democratic party Of Senators who
have opposed any of his major leg
islative proposals is the main topic
of political Comment in Washing
ton these days. One can hear as
many theories as to how it hap
pened and what its consequences
are likely to be as there are people
talking about. it.
There is no doubt left in the mind
of any impartial observer of public
affairs that the split in the Demo-
cratic party goes much deeper than
the surface and reaches down
through the mass of the party vot-
erS. +
There is no other way to account
for the rejection at the party prima-
ries of the White House appeals for
the defeat of Senators Gillette of
Iowa, Adams of Colorado, McCarran
of Nevada, Van Mugs of Indiana,
Smith of South Carolina, Tydlngs
of Maryland, Lonergan of Connecti-
cut and George of Georgia. Either in
person or through his political aides
the President urged Democrats to
choose between loyalty to himself
and those Senators who had OPP
posed him, and in each case the Sen
ator whom he opposed won in the
primary contest.
In two other instances, where the
President threw the weight of his
personal appeal behind New Deal
Senators VINO sought denomination
McAdoo of California and Pope of
Idaho, both Senators were defeat
ed.
The Presidential Endorsement was
needed by the voters at the Demo-
cratic primaries which renominated
the New Deal Senators Barley OF
Kentucky, Thomas of Oklahoma,
Buckley of Ohio, Pepper of Florida
and Mrs. Carraway of Arkansas.
Independent Congress
While it is conceded by almost
every intelligent observer here that
the Presidents personal popularity
with the masses of the people is still
only slightly dimmed, it is generally
considered that the failure of vot-
ers of his own party to act on his
appeal will make it extremely diff
cult for him to get the next Con-
gress, even though its complexion be
overwhelmingly Democratic, to
enact new reforms or revive meas
ures which he has urged before.
1t seems certain that it will be
a much more independent Congress
than any which has sat in the Cap
itoI since 1892. Its members have
LEANED that it is no longer political
ly unsafe for them to refuse to ''go
along" with the President, even
When his proposals run counter to
their own best judgment.
No matter how cocky and indie
pendent the 18th Congress may feel
and behave, however there is no
guarantee that it will be any more
economical than its recent prede-
cessors. Congress has never been
noted for economy, and the pressure
for more government spending is
becoming greater, rather than less.
Close to the President is group
of political advisers who are COM
mitted to greater and greater Gov
eminent expenditures. Opposing
them in Administration councils are
the Secretary of the Treasury and
the Director of the Budget, who
wants to put an end to annual def
cts without resorting to heavier
taxation.
Despite the Treasury attitude, it
seems clear that the new Congress
will be overwhelmed by demands
from many sources for new spend
ings, some from within the Admin
istration, more from outside
sources. Harry Hopkins, w. P. A.
Administrator, will want more
money than ever appropriated for
relief. Secretary Wallace is prepar-
ing to ask record-breaking sums
for farm subsidies, The pressure
from the old-age pension groups
will be extremely strong, and
quite non-partisan.
Republican as well as Democratic
Candidates for Congress are pledg-
ing themselves to support the Town
send Plan or some modification of
it, for old-age pensions for every
body. While the Republicans elect
ed their entire state and Congressio-
nal ticket in Maine on September
Is, all three of the Representatives
chosen had agreed to support the
Federal oldage pension project.
National Defense Sums
The NAVY Department will ask.