Evening star., 1938-09-13
The Purge That Failed.

President Roosevelt's purge" directed
at Democratic Senators who have
opposed some of his pet measures, begged
down in Maryland effectually. 1t begged
down just as it had done in South Caro-
lima, and as, presumably, it will bog
down in Georgia tomorrow.
The only tears that will flow because
of the Maryland result are those of the
ardent New Dealers who believe that
President Roosevelt should control the
legislative and judicial branches of the
Government as we'll as the executive.
Democrats worthy of the name look
askance at the effort of the President to
bring within his grasp the absolute power
which would now from such concentra-
ton of authority.
The Democrats Of Maryland-the old
Free State-turned a deaf ear to the
plea of the Chief Executive that they
cast aside Senator Tydings and nomi-
nate in his place Representative David
j. Lewis. Neither the Presidents per-
suasive voice nor the drive of Demo-
cratic Federal Office holders, appointed
by the President, were able to turn the
trick.
Representative Lewis is one of the
grand old men of the House, fighter
always for the common people. It is
regrettable that he permitted himself
to be drawn into the purge" campaign.
He had, of course, a perfect right to seek
the Democratic nomination for Senator
if he chose. The motivating cause Of
his candidacy, however, was the desire
of the New Dealers, including the Presi-
dent, to punish Senator who had dared
to vote his convictions and who had de-
clined to be a rubber stamp for the
White House.
The campaign waged for Mr.. Lewis
was campaign of hate-at which the
New Dealers have been apt. 1t was .
campaign designed to arouse one class
of citizens against another. Unfortu-
natcly for the country, that has been
the effort of New Dealers, including the
President, during the past five years. 1t
is hate that has helped to retard the
recovery Of the United States; that has
brought industrial strife to new heights;
that has frightened investors and pre-
vented the proper flow of capital into
industry 1t is hate that has been used
to win elections. But it failed miserably
in Maryland's Democratic senatorial
primary.
The country has seen many strange
political contests in the past. But never
before has it witnessed the incursion of
Chief Executive-President of the
United States-into party primaries. The
failure of President Roosevelt to impose
his will on the Democratic voters In
Maryland and South Carolina may prove
q salutary lesson. 1t is doubtful, however.
that a deep impression will be made on
any one so intent upon controlling the
judiciary and the National Legislature.
The political effects of the attempted
purge of Democrats who have not always
seen eye to eye with President Roosevelt
are likely to be far reaching. In the first
place, the Democratic party in Congress
has been widely split by these maneuvers.
With the split has come feeling of re-
sentiment which may go far to prevent
the passage of legislation in the new
Congress. If the President and his i'm
mediate advisers persist in this course.
they may drive many from the Demo-
cratic party in general elections, or they
may even separate themselves from the
party of Jefferson, Cleveland and Wilson.
Senator Tydings himself has been
forced by the President into position
Of great prominence. His name is known
now to millions of voters all over the
country who before the senatorial pri-
mary in Maryland had never heard Of
him. He will be looked to as a rallying
post for anti-New Deal Democrats. He
has become a symbol of political inde-
pendence.
What is to be the attitude Of the
President and his campaign manager.
Postmaster General James A. Farley,
chairman of the Democratic National
Committee, toward Senator Tydings, now
that he has been renominated2 viii
they seek his downfall in the November
election, even to the extent Of throwing
support to the Republican senatorial
candidate? Maryland has elected Re-
publicans to the Senate and it may do
so again. Or will Mr.. Farley send his
usual message of congratulation to the
winner of Democratic senatorial nomi-
nation?