Imperial Valley press., 1940-08-20
HIRAM JOHNSON THE
OUTSTANDING CANDIDATE

The time is almost here when voters
will, as a group, choose who they want
TO represent them in the legislative halls
and governmental offices of the nation,
state and county.
This and following editorials are writ
ten solely to express an opinion-not to
attempt to tell anyone how to vote With
in the next few days we shall attempt to
tell why we prefer some candidates above
others. Other people, perhaps, Will not
like our preferences. That is their right
as Americans: they can cast their votes
for whom they wish, and perhaps their
choice will be wiser than ours. But we
should be derelict in our duty as news
paper if we did not give our reasoning,
founded on longtime observation of news
and events at their source.
Most covetously-eyed job on the ballot
next Tuesday undoubtedly is that of
United States senator, now held by Hiram
Johnson. The field against Johnson in
cluded California's opportunist heuten-
ant-governor, Ellis f. Paterson, along
with John AnSon Ford, Samuel w 4orty,
James D. Meredith and Richard Stuart
Otto. Meredith and Otto are the only ones
not running on both Republican and
Democratic tickets.
We see nothing in the record of any of
Johnson's opponents to Justify their
election to United States senatOrship. In
the records of some of them, like Patter-
son, we see several reasons why they
should not be elected. A public official
should be elected, however, on his own
merits. and not because we dislike his
opponents.
And on his own merits Hiram Johnson
is entitled to reelection at the primaries,
by an overwhelming vote of both Repub-
licans and Democrats.
Since the death of William E. Borah,
Senator Johnson has inherited to sole
possession of the nationally-bestowed
designation of senator at large from the
United States" Many people in other
states, and even in other countries, can
no more tell you what state Hiram john
son represents in the senate than they
can walk on air-but they can quote you
his words, tell you his views, and they
will almost invaryingly agree on one
thing:
He is scrupulously honest-he abides
by his convictions
And that, after all, is about the high
est compliment you can pay man in
public life.
Hiram Johnson was liberal before
many opportunists ever thought of adopt
ing liberalisn-he was liberal when it
was unpopular to be one. He fought for
legislation protecting the laborer, he
fought for women's suffrage, he fought
for adequate defense but to keep this
country out of war. His record is book
for anyone to read, and the reading of
it should guarantee that he will be sent
back to the United States senate without
waiting for the November general cleo
ton.
California's senior senator has never
been eyes man" for any clique or any
party. He has voted against the Republi-
can party as often as he has voted for it.
He has voted for the New Deal when he
thought the New Deal was right; he has
voted against it when he thought it was
wrong He has voted for unpopular
causes when he knew it would cost him
votes, and he has voted for popular
causes when he thought they were good
causes
Hiram Johnson, of all Californians,
deserves the title statesman rather
than the designation, politician.
Even though we might not agree with
him at all times, still we must respect
him. no matter what the occasion.
Such a man is so scarce in public life
that we believe he should be retained as
lonp &c ba will SarVa