Evening star., 1939-09-04
Washington Observations
Gorner's Qualifications for Presidency
Enriched by 36 Years on Hill

other administrative places. His
standard for judicial appointments
would be high. He would be espe-
cially anxious to find proper men
for diplomatic posts. His long ex-
perience on the House Foreign Al
fairs Committee imbued him with
a deep and informed interest In
international relations.
That Garner considers the solu-
ton of the unemployment and ag-
ricultural problems as the two out
standing challenges to the Union
and that the chief attention of a
Garner administration would be
bent to this end, no one who knows
him doubts. He likes to tackle tough
problems, and here are two tough
ones.
Opposed to Government in Business.
If any one is supporting Garner
on the theory he would be a do
nothing President, that supporter
would better begin looking for
new man to support. His would be
heads-up administration. He be-
lieves modern government must
meet modern needs. He has said
that revolutionary process must 60
forward to meet ever-changlng
human needs" He would not have
the Government evade any legiti-
mate function, but he would be zeal
GUS in his endeavor to see it did not
encroach on functions outside its
field. Putting the Government into
business is violation of the Ma
tion's industrial and commercial
fabric" he declared in his 1882 ac-
ceptance speech.
Garner would make a great Presi-
dent because he thoroughly believes
in our democratic system of three
branches of Government. He has
been called congressional-minded.
1t Is true he has fought invasion of
the prerogatives of Congress, but he
Is just as firmly against trespass
against the executive and judicial
branches.
Believing as he does in a Govern
ment of laws and not of men, he
abhors unnecessary bureaucracy and
would undoubtedly seek to dissolve
some of it entirely, put back in Con-
gress some of the legislative powers
1t exercises, back in the courts some
of the judicial powers it occupies,
and BACK in the States some of the
local powers that belong there. All
this would preserve the natural dig
nifty of the executive branch, rather
than weaken it.
Garner believes, as did Grover
Cleveland, that the whole art of
government is simply applied COM
mon sense and common honesty, with
reason, justice and tolerance as
handmaidens
Has Vivid "Sense of Humanity"
Garner as President would be
guided by sense of humanity. 1t
was he who introduced the first gen.
eral relief bill in 1892. 1t was a pay
as-you-go measure, and carried tax
to pay its cost. He believes in an
ever-increasing standard of living for
the working man and woman. He
has a passionate devotion for the
well-being of men and women who
work for their daily bread. He has
always fought monopoly and the
concentration of wealth, and has in
sisted that the Government lay
down rules to guarantee free and
fair competition. He is for property
rights because he believes them the
very base of human rights. Owner
ship of property, he thinks, is one Of
the best guarantees of the dignity
and independence of the individual.
He is against favoritism in law en-
forcement.
Garner knows you cannot get
something for nothing. He believes
in constructive economy. He is the
indestructible pioneer type who
learned in pioneer country how
hard it is to make a dollar He
would be scrupulously careful with
the taxpayers dollar. He has the
courage to resist fantastic proposals
and boldly to meet an issue.
To continued efforts to find So
lutions of the Nations problems
Garner would take to the presidency
vast experience. Experience" to
paraphrase the great Justice
Holmes, lis the life of administra-
ton"
Garner loves his country, believes
in it, knows it is durable and wants
it to believe in itself. He wants
Government to do its part toward
preserving freedom of opportunity.
He believes economy, thrift and self
reliance are still the hallmark of the
majority of Americans.