Evening star., 1948-07-10
Tks Political MM
Nearly Unanimous Vote
Now Seen for Truman
Party Chiefs To Go Through Motions
With Little Hope of Victory
Bv Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
PHILADELPHIA, July 1o.-The great anti
Truman conspiracy-to deny President Truman
4 presidential nomination-has washed up.
It didn't click because 1t was impossible for
the discordant elements Of the Democratic
Party fighting President Truman to agree on
. candidate who would be nominated-ors ons
who could be nominated. Gen. Dwight G.
Eisenhower could have been nominated-but
wouldn't. Associate Justice william o. Doug
las Of the United states Supreme Court cannot
be nominated even If he would (about which
there have been conflicting reports.
Except for the fighting-mad Democrats Of
the South, Mr.. Truman may wind up with
virtually = unanimous vote Of the convention
when the roll Is called. It is possible there
may be some holdouts among the delegates
for Justice Douglas. But for the sake Of that
inusive harmony. most all of the delegates
will join in the Truman vote.
Ne Hope Of Victory.
What happens from there out Is another
question. It is quite true that q great many
Democratic leaders preferred to have MIR.
Truman stand aside and permit the nomina-
ton Of another candidate. These leaders
have no more love for, and no more hope with
Mi. Truman than they had yesterday or q
week ago. That they will take OF their coats
now and 60 to work for his election is unlikely.
Though some Of them will 60 through the
motions, they have no hope Of victory and
no heart in the fight.
The Democrats-who like to fight and some
times each other-haye torn their party apart
In other years. For example, in 1924 when
William Gibbs McAdoo came on from Cali
fornia with the backing OF hundreds Of dele
gates to the National Convention he ran head
on into Gov. Alfred e. Smith Of New York.
the darling Of another wing of the party. 1t
took 103 ballots in that historic Madison square
Garden convention to bring about the nomina-
ton OF q compromise candidate-John W.
Davis of West Virginia and New York When
the fighting was over the nomination wasn't
worth carfare home.
With great consideration for the McAdoo
wing Of the party, the convention picked
Charlie Bryan-Governor of Nebraska and
brother OF william Jennings Bryan-to be the
vice presidential candidate 1t didn't matter.
1t made no difference who was picked for
second place on the ticket at that point.
Today great consideration will doubtless be
given to the picking Of a candidate for Vice
President to run with Mr.. Truman. As in
1924 it doesn't matter. Probably nothing and
no one could help the Truman ticket to victory
next November.
Could Pass Honor Around
1t would be easier for the Democrats at this
convention If the Constitution permitted the
nomination and election Of two-or even three
Vice Presidents. Then at least the honor could
be passed around to placate the anti-Truman
factions and to please the Truman supporters,
too. To pick just one vice presidential nominee
is something else. Usually the man in the
White House selects his running mate, but
perhaps MIR. Truman will leave 1t Up to the
convention. In that case anything might
happen.
Truman forces would like to get Secretary
Of State Marshall as q running mate for the
President. They fear he would not take 1t.
Secretary Marshall was born in Pennsylvania
OF Democratic family, went to school in
Virginia, and after his distinguished career in
the Army retired to his home in Virginia-or
sought to do so. His nomination would please
Pennsylvania Democrats into the bargain.
Without Secretary Marshall, the convention
will have to decide among Averin Hartman
Of New York, Senator OMahoney Of Wyoming.
ex-senator jackson Of Indiana, Senator Bark
ley Of Kentucky, Senator Tydings Of Maryland.
Senator Lucas Of Illinois, Gov Wallsren of
Washington and long string Of others. Not
that it matters great deal