Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1938-02-10
DIsPELLING THE FOG
fRv Charles Michelson)

customary surveys of the politica
situation at this phase of the me.
ment, we CLEAN that riffs and di
lemmas are confronting the major
ity party here, there and every,
where, so deep and bitter that the
aggregate of these alarming views
suggests an antemortem bulletin by
doctors from the bedside of the dis
tinguished patient.
/ 1t appears that the brilliant
young governor of Kentucky is
dallying with the idea Of fitting
! with Senator Alben W. Barkley, the
party's majority leader in the upper
house, for the Kentucky senator
ship. Now those of US who have
something to do with the national
| organization and are supposed to
keep in touch with all party activi-
ties thought that this incident was
just one of the ordinary political
perturbations that always come al
this time in a congressional election
year. In fact, have some diff
Guilty in recalling any similar period
during which one or more ambitious
Democrat has not indicated his as
piration to take 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
manifestations.
In the 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
defeated candidate has promptly
stepped into the ranks and worked
Loyalty for the election of the vic
tor.
Just how my fellow columnists
are able to figure that because one
Democrat is trying to succeed an
other Democrat in position of in
fluence and honor it should cause
any party embarrassment is rather
difficult to understand Perhaps the
answer is that my fellow word
painters and situation surveyors see
no sensational headlines in the
mere fact of primary or conven-
ton contest, SO they build up these
towering structures of deep signifi.
canoe with sort of pep impulse.
Contests Healthy Sign
Actually, the circumstance of
clashing ambitions is a symptom of
health and not of disintegration in
any successful party. You rarely
hear of such conflicts unless nomi
guarantee Of election. 1t would be
Il, GraI ,f,.ir
for the glory of being a loser
Pretty much the same situation
exists in Florida, where number
of sturdy Democrats have the idea
that it would be nice thing to
substitute themselves-or one of
themselves-for Senator Peppers
place, and l dare say that there
might be half-dozen episodes Of
the same sort in process of develop |
ment throughout the country.
1t 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
come out on top.
1t is not difficult to recall that
the late Senator Robinson, Alben
Barkley's predecessor as majority
leader, was always being menaced.
Whenever it happened it provided
more food for hostile writer's to
elaborate their cheering thought
that Democratic party chaos lay
just ahead. | doubt if there is one
among these eminent journalists
who could recall off hand even the
name of the aspirant who was sup
posed to be threatening Senator
Robinson's prestige and position,
and thereby periling the solidarity
OF the Democratic party.
1t might also be brought to mind
that a couple of years ago that
sturdy and distinguished senate vet-
eran. Pat Harrison, was presented
as facing an alarming situation in
Mississippi And yet, Senator Har-
rison is still on his job and as dis
and efficient as ever, and
even rock because of the alleged
gale that was to sweep Mississippi
Local ViriIity-Not Party Disruption
Pre- primary fights and ante con-
vention struggles may kick up quite
a ruction at home, but they are
merely local disturbances which or
dinarily pass with no great party
effect.
If the incumbent returns, it is re-
garded as merely logical outcome
that was to be expected. 1t also
serves for a text on the dictatorial
weight of administration pressure. !
If the incumbent loses, the hostile |
commentaries shrilly proclaim the
as an administration de-
feat
Actually neither picture can ap-
proach correctness. Obviously an
administration is happier when the |
ranks of those who have shown |
their sympathy with the loyalty to
the administration are retained in |
office Just as obviously, il new |
man comes in-that is man of the !
same political complexion-there |
are bound to be sentimental regrets. |
but that is about all.
State elections are determined by |
many things that have little to do |
with national policies Local politi- |
cal complications, superiority in |
or a thousand other |
such things not infrequently de-
termine the results of local cleo
tions.
The only important thing is the I
that even If person
alities change, the party lineup re-
mains unbroken. And / have yet to
see or hear it suggested that any
senator or congressman
will be succeeded by Republican
I