Henderson daily dispatch., 1939-03-07
Libby -Gordolnl Gray
Ticket for 1910 Talked
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The row over the sales tax cata-
pulled Ralph Mcdonald into the
limelight, and with the astute ana
Of Itimous Valentine and Willie Lee
Lumpkin he upset lots OF predlc-
tions. But all the while, the real
makers of governors showed little
concern. Hoey had been selected
and in due course he was elected.
HOey Ends Cycle
The Hoey election ended a cycle.
1t represented the elimination OF a
long planned program. He would
indeed be foolish who thinks that
the influence of former Senator Sim
mons or former Governor Gardner
no longer counts in North Carolina
politics. On the other hand, there
is not the slightest basis for the be-
lief that either will exert itself to
the extent it has in past campaigns
Naturally, Governor Gardner wants
his political philosophy to continue
in this State. There are those who
look to young Ralph Gardner, son
of the present Senate, to carry on
the Shelby tradition. A very large
element doesn't discount the posi-
bilities there. But the immediate
ambition of the Shelby group has
been attained in the governorship
of Clyde Hoey. The next governor
may have the tacit blessing of the
Gardner crowd, but he cannot hope
| for the same actual and active help
| rendered the present and immediate
past governors.
Bailey Still Powerful
That throws the lists wide open
Two years ago when "Our Bob"
mopped up the State with Frank
Hancock there was some thought
that he might attempt to translate
that emphatic victory into political
domination of the State. There is
very little evidence that he attempt
ed to do so, and none whatever
that he did-or could have-suc-
ceeded if he tried it. In spite of the
anti-New Deal proclivities of Sena-
tor Bailey, it is the opinion around
Raleigh that the senior senator can,
if he desires, have much more in
fluence on selection of the next
governor than can Senator Rey-
nolds.
Horton and Ward
The next two or three weeks will
have a lot of bearing on the fate of
at least two potential candidates.
One of them has been casually men
toned for months; the other enter
ed the picture only since the present
legislature convened. But when he
came into the picture he immedi-
ately claimed focal point in the
limelight. Lieutenant Governor
Horton has been designed as "pos-
sible" candidate ever since the 1896
primary. David Livingstone Ward,
Libby" to everybody except the
author of his birth certificate and
marriage license, wasn't seriously
considered until a month ago.
Within the past month there has
developed a very we'll organized but
under-cover campaign for Ward for
governor and Gray for lieutenant
governor. The Gray is the senator
from Forsyth, the millionaire pup-
Usher of the Winston-Salem morn
ing and evening newspapers, an
operator of the radio station in the
Twin City, besides being State pres
ident of the Young Democrats. The
campaign is running along smoothly
without any desire for haste. Here
and there potential supporters are
being converted into actual sup
porterS.
Ward "Middle- Of ROader''
Libby Ward, speaker of the House
and Representatives, in conserva-
tive in politics. He would be no
Dick Fountain or Ralph Mcdonald.
But he definitely is not included in
the administration machine." What
support he gets he will get "on his
man" and not as the crown prince.
There isn't better political organ
izer in the State than Libby Ward,
and there isn't among the suggested
candidates for governor a person
ality SO attractive as his. If he
decides to run for governor, as now
seems more than likely, he can in
his own right furnish plenty of trou-
bic for any other candidate.
Politicians Prayer
1t his friends succeed in perfect
ing the Ward-Gray combination, it
will be darned near unbeatable. The
Gray millions, newspapers and
rdulO, with the ward genius Tor
political organization, would be al
most the answer to politicians
prayer.
But Mr.. Ward will not get Mr..
Gray as an avowed running mate
without contest One of the Sc
rio-comic phases of this whole CUB
ernatorial business is the eager un-
animity with which prospective can
didates announce satisfaction with
Gordon Gray as a running mate
BY all the canons of the political
faith, Gray would be conservative,
and there has been no outburst dur
ing this session which would belle
this designation. He cannot be rat
ed as administration" but
neither can the administration feel
sure of his support unless the mea-
cI1v0 hac merit y,o,. ~,