The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1944-06-08

How many realize that in a good
part of our nation we have single
party government, that we have had 1t
for many years and that we shall, in
all likelihood, continue to have it for
some years to come?
The "SOlid South" is governed by
one party and elections are decided in
the Democratic primaries. In close
races the run-off primary is the equiv
alent of an election.
Now the axis countries have one
party government. That means dicta-
torship.
What makes the difference?
There is some possibility that the
question may be raised, so it is worth
discussing.
There is a tremendous lot of differ
ence between One-party government in,
say Alabama, and in Germany. And
you can even include exclusion of
Negro voters in the equation, if you
want to. However, that doesn't excuse
or palliate the exclusion.
In our Southern states the minority
and ineffective-party has the right
to exist. It's members and followers
have the right to vote. And if they
should, as has happened once or twice
in border cases, win a majority of
votes they would go into office.
That could not happen in an axis
hot ;e,o all
important difference
The majority party has to accord to
the minority every right which it ac-
cepts for itself. You cannot laugh that
off.
Negro exclusion from voting is on
color grounds not on partisan political
grounds. The end of this will be a long
time coming, even though the first
stages of crumbling are under way in
spots.
But there is something else about
this majority rule that is interesting
and worth a word.
Under majority party rule men are
elected on their personal platforms,
instead of on party platforms.
Take the recent Florida primary as
an example Senator Claude Pepper
ran on his personal platform, while
his Opopnent ran on one equally per-
sonal. Both were Democrats, but they
stood for different policies and prin-
ciples. No party platform had any
bearing on that primary, the equivalent
of election.
That's how it goes, all along the
line
GovernOrship races are the same.
In the same election three contenders,
all Democrats, had three personal
platforms. One of the winners i'm the
first primary adopted the losers plat
form as his own in the run-off race.
But he lost, at that
So, you find personal politics, with
personal machines, i'm these majority
party states
Whether that is good or bad is be-
side the point. However, it is more
likely to be bad than good. New York,
chicago and Jersey City may have
iome evidence to offer.
1t is true that in some of our ma
Ority spots we have bosses who come
near to being dictators, in
which case Oneparty government
,omes somewhat within the realm of
lXis imitation.
But it remains true that the oppor-
unity for overthrow by the peaceful
means of the ballot box exists And the
ourts function and can be used
Perhaps Kansas City has testimony
N that point.
SO, there is wide world of differ
nee between axis-type dictatorship
nd our own cheap and tawdry tyrants;
etween aXis-type and one-party rule
nd our own majority party control.
The people can, whenever they so
etermine, go out and tie can to
ny oflieeholder or boss in this country,
Without benefit of firing squads.
And, Brother, that's something =
INV.