The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1940-10-08


pose Senator James NJ. Mead. now
seeking reelection on the Demo-
cratic ticket, Bruce was a trihe
doubtful as to the wisdom Of going
after his party's senatorial indorse-
ment. That he could win represen-
tatorially in his northern Manhat-
tan district he was pretty conf
dent But to get into the senate he
has to carry the whole Empire
commonwealth. He wasn't so sure
he could do that. He was skeptical
of the desirability Of seeking pro-
motion at the risk Of being voted
out Of the national legislative pic
ture altogether.
While he still was cogitating,
along came a very astute Repub-
lican politician, who gave him some
advice. Whether or not it turns out
to have been the right kind remains
to be seen. 1t was well meant. any
way. I can't mention this counsellor
by name, for he warned me not to.
] know what he said, though. be-
cause he told it to me himself.
Chance OF a Lifetime
Bruce" quoth the political wise
acre referred to. IF you can get
that Republican senatorial nomina-
ton, take it.
you may be licked at the polls,
but you'll run away ahead Of the
rest of your ticket, even though
you don't beat Mead. That'll make
you almost a certainty for the next
c.. o. P. nomination for governor.
That time perhaps you'll win. And
If you get into the governorship
Of New York, and II Wilkes been
defeated in November. you're bound
to be presidentially nominated in
1914"
A good many "ifs" were involved
In. this forecast
Never theless. Representative
Barton evidently was convinced.
for he fought hard to get that sem
atorial nomination. from then on,
and scooped it in.
What he's running for, In effect.
Is the presidency.
It's looking some distance ahead.
but crafty politicians are in the
habit of doing that.
Bruce isn't a very old hand at
the game-only couple Of terms
In the house OF representatives. Yet
he seems adaptable. When an old
ster gives him valuable tip he un-
derstands how to act on it.
He Isn't Old
He's young enough himself TO
wait four years before going on the
White House trail. He'll be a mere
IS in 1914. Indeed. he won't be i'm
possibly venerable in 1913, suppos-
ing that Willkie wins this year and
serves two terms. And Republican
prognosticators aren't a bit toe
sure Though they don't admit it)
that Wendell will outvote Roosevelt
Nov. 5. II not, he certainly won't be
renominated in 1914. That'll be
Bruce's chance to score.
Considering the breWty Of his
record in congress. he's made quite
q dent on Capitol Hill. He's first
rate publicity man for himself: his
business is advertising. He's been
an editor also and has written
books. The newspaper boys like
him immensely,
Furthermore. he's A native OF
Tennessee; an appeal to the Solid
South-what?
His weakness as a senatorial
candidate Is that his sotftherly ORR
gin doesn't help him in New York
state. and out in the sticks he's apt
to be rated as too much a Manhat-
tanite. whereas Senator Mead. his
opponent, Is from Buffalo, endear-
ing him to the up-country clecto-
rate-who appear TO consider Buff
falo rural. in comparison with the
big city. On the opposite hand, he's
a Republican in normally Demo-
cratic Manhattan.
No. I wouldn't call him an overly
bright senatorial prospect.
But he doesn't care so much
about senatorial toga. He's run
ming for president