Evening star., 1939-12-19
The Political Mill
Reopening Of Purge Seen Unlikely in
RooseveIt's Appointments to Bench

Virginia Senators. Judge Dobie was
at the time dean Of the law school
Of the University Of Virginia. His
present advancement, plus the de-
cision to appoint Judge Barksdale
to the District Court, is regarded as
a clear indication that the hatchet
has been buried: that the White
House does not intend to continue
the feud which began with the ap-
pointment Of Judge Roberts.
The inference is carried even
further in some quarters. And the
hope is expressed that the President
does not intend in the coming year
to crack down on Democratic Sen
ators who have been opposed to
some Of his policies-as have the
Virginia Senators-by overlooking
their recommendations for appoint
ment to high Federal Office or even
appointing candidates who have the
recommendation of the political op-
ponents Of those Senators in their
States. There seems reason to be-
lieve that the attempted White
House purge" of Democratic Sen
ators who have not seen eye to eye
with the President will not be re-
vived.
1t is clear that any further at
tempts at purge of Democrats in
Congress by administration forces
would result in bitter intraparty
warfare. Such warfare would not
be relished and might do a great
deal of harm in the national po-
litical campaign that is just around
the corner. Nor was the administra-
ton successful in 1898 in single
effort to eliminate the Democratic
Senators who had opposed the Presi-
dents court bill or some of his
other measures There are, indeed
a number of these Senators who
come up for denomination and re-
election in 1910, among them Sen
ator Burke of Nebraska, Senator
Byrd Of Virginia, Senator Donahey
OF Ohio, Senator Gerry Of Rhode
Island. Senator Holt of West Vir-
ginia, Senator King Of Utah, Senator
OMahoney of Wyoming, Senator
Walsh OF Massachusetts, and Senator
Wheeler Of Montana.
Difficult to DisIodge.
1t is extremely doubtful that any
OF these Senators could be dislodged,
even If the attempt were made by
the administration. Senator Holt,
1t is true, has remained a bitter
opponent of the New Deal admins
tration. He threatens, too, to bring
before the Senate a resolution de-
claring it the sense of the Senate
that no President should be elected
for third term. 1t is certain that
the administration will not look
with favor on his denomination. But
how far 1t would go in an effort to
purge" the West Virginia Senator
is not now disclosed.
The Democrats are looking hope
fully to the election in the second
congressional district in Tennessee,
which is to be held December 80,
to fill vacancy in the House caused
by the death of the late Representa-
tive ]. Will Taylor, Republican. Not
for many years has this district been
represented by a Democrat. Mr..
Taylor was serving his twenty
second year in the House and had
large personal following. The
Democrats say that the political
complexion of the district has
changed materially, due to an in
flux Of residents on account of the
T. V. A. development. The city of
Knoxville went Democratic in the
elections this fall. And the second
district was carried by President
Roosevelt in 1896, although Mr.. Tay-