Evening star., 1940-03-12
The Political Mill
lckes' Attack Beers Evidence of Concerted
New Deal Drive to Stop Dewey

the delegates responding. He was
the first choice in 26 States. Second
to him was Senator Vandenberg
of Michigan, with 80 per cent, and
top choice in 16 States. Senator
Taft was third on the list with
10 per cent, and the leader in six
States, and 2 per cent were for
Senator Bridges of New Hampshire.
The poll of delegates to the 1886
Democratic National Convention
gave President Franklin D. Roose-
welt first place, with 68 per cent Of
the votes. Vice President Garner
trailed, in second place, with only
IL per cent. Secretary of State Cor
dell Hull came third with 10 per
cent. Postmaster General Farley
and Federal Security Administrator
Paul V. McNutt tied for fourth
place, each having per cent Of the
votes.
The national conventions of 1896
belong in the past-yet in all prob
ability there will be number OF
delegates in the 1910 conventions
who also attended the conventions
in 1886. Apparently the Democratic
delegates to the 1886 national con-
vention are not bowed down by the
third-term issue. 1t is natural to
believe, however that they would
not stultify themselves by turning
against the man whom they NOM
mated four years ago.
Actual Polls at Hand.
The day of polls far more ma
terial than any that have been
taken in the past is at hand Today
the first presidential preferential
primary is taking place in New
Hampshire. The voters themselves
will speak in 13 States before these
primaries are done. In some of
these States either Republican or
Democratic favorite sons will have
the field to themselves. But there
are other where there are
no favorite son candidates-in which
the sentiment Of the voters will
really be tested
On the Republican side in the New
Hampshire primary, the field seems
to have been left to Senator Bridges,
a favorite son. One delegate candi-
date, who has announced he will be
pledged to Dewey and has stuck to
his guns although Dewey requested
him to withdraw, is running The
Republican organization, with the
acouiescence of Bridges, is backing
an uninstructed delegate slate to the
national convention. The Demo-
Gratis are expected to elect a slate
of delegates pledged to President
Roosevelt. although of the 16 can
didates for 8 places as delegates at
large. two are pledged to Postmaster
General Farley one to Vice Presi-
dent Garner and two are running
unpledged. In one of the two con-
greSsional districts, one Farley
pledged delegate candidate is run
ming.
Bosses May Heed
How the voters themselves look on
the various presidential candidates
in the primary States may have
considerable effect and forecast the
action of the national conventions.
despite the more cynical belief that
nominations are made by the party
bosses. The primary results might
have some effect on the bosses. For
the bosses. generally speaking, are
anxious to win the national election
next November In Wisconsin,
where they vote in primaries April
2, and in Illinois and Nebraska.
where the primaries take place a
week later, there are some real
tests of popular strength. Dewey
and Vandenberg are hooked up in
races in both Wisconsin and Ne
braska. The President and the
Vice President are opponents in the
Wisconsin and Illinois primaries,
and the President is entered in Ne
braska, but not Mr.. Garner.
The question uppermost in many
minds is how material will be the
vote cast for Vice President Garner.
For that vote will be a real anti
third-term vote in the Democratic
party-and anti-Roosevelt in part.