Evening star., 1946-11-07
Now for the Test


polls takes on landslide proportions.
assuring the COP firm control of
both House and Senate. the main
question which has to be faced is
whether the next two years will
bring a virtual deadlock in the func-
tioning of the Government or
whether our political system will
prove equal to the test that lies
ahead.
It will be a stern test. And 1t is
especially unfortunate that it has to
come at such critical time in both
domestic and international affairs.
But it is a test which has to be met,
for there is no feasible way of
avoiding it.
Senator Fulbright, Democrat, of
Arkansas has suggested that Presi-
dent Truman might name Repub-
lican as Secretary of State and then
resign himself, thereby enabling the
COP to succeed to the presidency.
This has a superficial plausibility,
but it is hardly practical solution.
In the first place, there is no indi-
cation that Mr.. Truman or his politi-
cal aides would acquiesce in such a
course. Nor is it likely that it would
meet with Republican favor. With
half a dozen prospective candidates
for the COP nomination in 1948,
how would the man be selected for
the interim term in the White
House and the substantial advantage
that would go with it when conven-
ton time rolls around?
Beyond this, however, there is the
more substantial objection that Mr..
Truman, having moved up to the
White House after the death of
Franklin D. Roosevelt, is the duly
elected Chief Executive. Even II this
be regarded as sort OF political
accident, the fact remains that he
is legally the choice of the country
and it is hard to see how he. could
justify voluntary abdication of his
post.
The only source of reasonable hope
for a solution lies in a manifesto
ton of political maturity by party
leaders on both sides of the political
fence. The Republicans will tconstrae
the election Just held as a repudia-
ton by the people of the policies
which Mr.. Truman inherited from
Mr.. Roosevelt and which he himself
has advocated. Within reason, es-
peciaIly with respect to domestic is
ssues, this undoubtedly is The case.
It follows therefore that the Presi-
dent should refrain from seeking
legislative sanction for programs and
policies which are not favored by the
Republicans or the people. If Mr..
Truman attempts to formulate leg
islative program for the new Con-
gress it is imperative that it be
adapted to the realities of the
changed political situation which
confronts him.
BY the same token the new Con-
gress which will assemble in Janu-
ary should refrain from any course
designed merely to hamper the
President and embarrass him politi-
cally. Legislation should be consid-
cred In the light of the immediate
needs OF the country, not with an
eye to political advantage in 1948.
And II the Congress undertakes to
formulate domestic legislative pro-
gram Of its own, the Republican
leaders, might well seek to work out
an arrangement with the President
comparable to the bipartisan front
which already has been formed on
foreign policy matters.
It may be that this is wishful
thinking, that no such arrangement
can be had within the framework of
practical" American politics. But if
the country is in for nothing better
than partisan sniping contest for
the next two years, the people should
take pains to identify those respon-
sible and to hold them to account
when they 60 to the polls two years
hence.