The Wilmington morning star. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1909-1990, 1944-02-29
Editorial Reaction


American newspaper editors voiced thei
opinions without reserve on the Barley revol
almost before the echoes of his history making
address in the Senate had died away. For thu
most part they interpreted the Kentuckian
position as helpful move in restoring il
Congress better understanding of that Angus
bodys Constitutional rights and responsibilities
than it has shown in recent years. It was lef
to the Chicago Tribune to place a purely
selfish Interpretation upon the motives behinc
the revolt, but the Tribune always does tina
in affairs with which it is not wholly sym
pathetic or in which it is not directly concern
ed The Tribune said:
A special word may be reserved for Mr.
Barley It is charitable to believe that he
resigned his leadership to express his re-
sentiment of the i'll treatment he has re-
ceyed at the hands of the President.
At the same time the fact must not be
overlooked that Mr.. Barley has read the
recent election returns from Kentucky. He
knows that his State has elected Re-
publican Governor and that the result was
confirmed in a by-election in Congress
sional district that hasn't sent Republic
can to Congress since way back when.
Mr. Barley knows that a conspicuous
quarrel with Mr.. Roosevelt won't hurt his
chances.
The New York herald Tribune, Republican
to the core, saw the episode in broader per
spective and better focus:
The significance of the resignation far
transcends the immediate question of the
merits of that legislation.
Two theories have been advanced to ex-
plain this growing rift between the Presl-
dent and Congress. One is that the Pres1-
dent has become so immersed In world
affairs that he has lost touch with public
opinion at home and contact with those
party leaders on whom he would normally
lean for information. The other is that he
has embarked upon deliberate campaign
to discredit the legislative branch as part
of his fourth-term campaign.
Whatever explanation one accepts, the
situation is one which gives cause for the
gravest concern to the whole country, re-
gardless of party lines.
The Boston Globe points out the possible
historic significance of Mr.. Barkley's step,
saying:
Senator Barley is not soft-pedal per-
former He has labored long and repeated
ly to hold the line for the Roosevelt
plans. But now he has decided to break
away The fracture may go into the
record as one of the notable incidents in
our legislative history.
1t becomes steadily clearer that the ma
jority in Congress is more paper than real.
The domestic landscape becomes more and
more like a battle-ground.
The Philadelphia Inquirer hopes that it pre-.
sages new era on Capitol Hill:
We hope it is new era, with an end
to Presidential efforts to dominate Con-
gress of the authority surrendered to the
Executive during the past decade. But if it
is new era, members of both Senate and
House will have to live up to their great
responsibilities.
The tax bill should be passed over Mr..
RooseveltS Veto But enactment of this
pitifully inadequate measure will not solve
the nations clamorous revenue problem.
OClldIO1 Dd1hlCy lids QtCldI Gu Ills 1IlOC-
pendence. 1t would be fitting for his Demo-
cratic colleagues to follow his new banner.
From the Washington Post we CLEAN this:
Why the President should go to such
demagogic lengths in attacking Congress is
anybody's guess. He has invited break
with the legislature. But why? Is he en-
couraging the country to put the finger on
Congress as the branch responsible for the
failure to enact ''realistic'' tax law? This
would seem to be the case.
It follows that the tax message must
be regarded as a document giving off the
ancient and fishlke smell of politics. Even
if the President doesn't intend to run
again, his record will.
The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle con.
meets the revolt with the fourth term boom,
thus:
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