Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1941-09-11
Senatorial
Courtesy
Over.done
PeeIer Thinks Statesmen
Failed in Duty
By WESTBROOK PEGLER

BY WESTBROOk PEGLER
I DOUBT that more than a
few citizens appreciate the
enormity of the appointment
and confirmation of CASTOR L.
Porterie. the Louisiana politi-
clan of the Huey Long Dictator
ship. who is now sitting tempo
rarily in the southern district OF
New York. as member of the
federal judiciary.
The facts existed before Por-
terie was appointed and con-
firmed and they were especially
well known 10 one member of
the subcommittee of the Senate
judiciary committee which rec
commended his confirmation.
And there Is no reason TO be-
lieve that the other members of
the subcommittee or of the full
committee, or, indeed. any other
member of the Senate could
have been ignorant of the facts.
His career in Louisiana as the
attorney general of the state
government under the dictator
ship had been well known and
1t Is the solemn duty Of all Sem
atorS 10 guard the character OF
the federal courts, even though
the performance of that duty
neceSSltate some violation OF
senatorial courtesy and privi-
lege.
Courtesy and privilege require
-Snp3taFS-te-FasPeet-etfe -srf-
others nominations TO the fed
eral judiciary up TO a certain,
or uncertain, point.
WHERE was the great liberal.
w George Norris. when this
man was being put over. within
period Of one week. without
hearings by the judiciary COM
mittec. on the recommendation
Of subcommittee? Where was
young Bob La Toilette? Where
were Nye and Wheeler and
Wagner. and why didn't Sena-
tor Taft take it upon himself 10
present statement and anal
ySis OF the facts of Porterie's
political life and associations
/ have recounted that Por-
terle. as attorney general under
the dictatorship, failed TO OPP
pose the preparation Of the
frauds which were practiced By
the faction OF which he was a
leader IN the primary which
elected TO the Senate the man
who later became his sponsor.
John II. Overton.
/ have recalled that when one
OF the state Judges attempted 10
Illustrate the fraudulent prac-
tees IN one parish. or county,
Porterle. as attorney general.
and by virtue OF his higher au-
thority IN the law department
OF the state, in turn frustrated
the judge.
0NE DAY / may explain in
~ detail the operation and
effect of the fraudulent practice
OF causing dummy candidates
TO enter elections, but il is
complex subject and, for the
present | Will just stand on the
TACT that special committee of
the Senate which investigated
Overton'S election did denounce
" as vicious and abhorrent"
ana did report that "a ma iority
OF the election commissioner
whore dummy candidates filed
were favorable 10 the candidacy
Of Overton.
Here we have n political serv-
Ice by Portcrie in favor of Over
Ton candidacy which consisted
OF open federation of fraud and
then VIC have a return Of tho
favor by Overton 10 Porterie in
The form Of an appointment for
lie 10 tho federal court.
For Tom Connally's conduct
IN TINS case no excuse is an
parent. Senator Cannally. ~
Texas. was chairman of tho
special committee which re-
Vealed and denounced the fraud
ana he could not have been
Ignorant Of Portcrio'S duty as
state attorney general to pro-
tect the ballot or Of his failure
10 make any effort.
Connally was the one who re-.
ported fraud 10 the Senate and
the words vicious and abhor-
rent political practice" were his
language. Nevertheless, il later
turned out that he was chair
man Of the subcommittee of the
judiciary com mittce which
passed on Portcrie's aualifica-
tons and recommended his con-
hrmation, with no protest from
him.
RUT, OF course, the device NJ
- the dummy candidate was
only one atroCity among MANY
perpetrated bv the Long ma
chine during Porterie's term as
attorney general He was in
office when. for another exam
plc. a concession IN drill and coll