The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1944-02-24
Vote OF Confidence In
Him Splendid Tribute
Continued from Page ~

Barley was one Of the last to
arrive at the conference room.
When he entered at l0:45 those al
ready present applauded and cheer
ed.
No Comment
AS Barley left the conference
room, a reporter asked whether he
cared to comment on fourth term
possibilities.
"Oh, no, certainly not" he re-
piled with a trace of impatience.
This has nothing to do with that
at ALL"
Asked what comment had been
! made in the conference on his reSig-
nation, he said he left so soon that
nobody had chance to say any
thing
IT made short statement ampli-
flying my speech yesterday" he
said. But it was nothing can tell
you. 1t was just a purely family
matter-some things I couldn't say
yesterday in my speech"
Barley then said he wanted to
make this statement:
IT have always had and now have
the deepest personal affection for
the President. He stands right along
personally and officially with Wood
row Wilson, my ideal of a President
for the last generation"
He said he had not replied to Mr..
RooSevelt's telegram appealing tc
him not to resign, but said he sup
posed he would.
1t was one of the most sensational
political upheavals in recent years
and analysts of both parties were
seeking to assay its possible effects
on the fourth term issue and on
the coming election.
President Roosevelt urged Barley
not to resign last night, almost i'm
mediately after he heard of the de-
cision. He telegraphed another
Dear Alben" message, similar in
salutation to the letter which was
instrumental in electing Barley to
leadership by a one vote margin
nearly seven years ago.
Early Delivers Message
White House Secretary Stephen
T. Early delivered the message.
Mr.. Roosevelt expressed regret
that he was "out of the city"-the
first disclosure that he was absent
from the White HouSe-and that he
therefore could not have a personal
talk with Barley. But he said:
81 sincerely hope that you will not
persist i'll your announced intention
to resign as majority leader of the
senate If you do, however, I hope
your colleagues will not accept your
resignation; but if they do, sin
cerely hope that they will immedi-
ately and unanimously re-elect
you"
In the dramatic, hour-long SEN
ate speech in which he announced
his resignation, Barley accused the
president of making a calculated
and deliberate assault on the integ-
rity of every member of the con-
greSS."
IT do not propose to take this un-
justifiable assault lying down." he
had shouted. Mr.. Roosevelt took
cognizance of this protest in his
message to the Kentuckian.
FDR "RegretS To Learn
IT regret to learn" the president
said, that you thought had in
my (veto) message attacked the in
tegrity of yourself and other mem
bers of congress. Such you must
know was not my intention"
But Mr.. Roosevelt's plea had no
effect; Barkley's mind was made up.
"He has nothing more to say" one
of his closest friends told the United
Press HE submitted his resigna-
ton in good faith and after due
elaboration. Its now in the hands
of the other members Of the SEN
ate"
Nor did it have effect on con-
gressional tempers-Democratic as
we'll as Republican-that had be-
come ruffled in fights with the chief
executive over the soldier vote, sub
sides and host of other issues.
Not Snap Judgment
Barkley's decision to resign had
not come easily. 1t was not snap
judgment.
The impulse almost lowered into
decision early Tuesday afternoon
as he read and re-read President
RooSevelt'S tax bill veto message.
Only by extreme self-restraint did
he remain silent while other sena-
tors arose to give voice to their re-
sentiment at the presidents argu-
ment and tone. He went home and
argued 1t out within himself. When
he returned to the senate yesterday
his decision had been made.
Washington, Feb. 24-(UP)-Sen