Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-07-15
The Political Mil
.McGroth Is Top Figure
In Democratic Politics
Convention Job Which Senator Did
For Truman Called Remarkable
Bv Gould Lincoln

For Truman Called Remarkable
By Gould Lincoln
PHILADELPHIA, July 15.-out Of the welter
of discord and gloom Of the Democratic Ma.
tional Convention emerges new figure IN
Democratic national politics-the chairman OF
the Democratic National Committee, Senator
Howard McGrath of Rhode Island. Mr..
McGrath, freshman Senator. was selected for
the national craftsmanship last October-suc-
ceeding Robert E. Hannegan OF Missouri. Tbs
job he did for President Truman and the rem
nants of party unity, when everything was
crashing around him, was remarkable. He re.
fused to be overwhelmed when the Democratic
leaders of the South threatened revolt. He
took the unhappy Eisenhower boom, initiated
by big city Democratic bosses of the party, in
his stride. He never lost his temper or his
sense of perspective. Nor did he ever for
moment retreat. With quiet persistence he
stuck to his demand for the nomination OF Mr..
Truman-as the logical and proper candidate
of the party.
Senator McGrath has the political facility
of the Irish-who have taken always to politics
in this country as duck takes to water. He
is only IS years old, but he has been long in
the political game. Three times he was elected
Governor of his State. He resigned during his
third term to become Solicitor General OF the
United States, and he resigned that once to
run successfully. for the Senate in 1916.
Continues ~ Chairman. go
: He will continue as chairman of the National
Committee for the coming campaign and II
any one can perform the miracle of running
successful fight for the election of the Truman.
Barley ticket, 1t is Senator McGrath. The
custom is to have a national chairman and
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presidential nominee. This year, however, both
the Democratic and Republican Parties have
abandoned this custom. Senator McGrath's
home is half continent away from President
Humans. Hugh Scott, the new Republican
national chairman, halls from Pennsylvania,
a neighbor of Tom Dewey and New York.
If Senator McGrath handles the coming
campaign well, even though the Republicans
win, he may look forward to continuance a.
national chairman. He and Senator Barley
of Kentucky, the vice. presdential romines
and leader of the Democrats in the Senate.
may make team to take over In large part
the receivership If they do, 1t will be q
senatorial affair.
The nomination of Senator Barley for Vice
President may have been a surprise to many.
but 1t was natural In a convention which
was aching to take the bit in its teeth With
pract1Cally no enthusiasm Tor the lneTlsahe
nomination of President Truman the delegates
were in frame of mind to kick over any
apple-barres in sight. There was no epthusi.
asm at the White House for Mr.. Barkleyl
northumberland that may have been a con-
tributing factor In the action Of some OF the
delegates. S,''rr
Brings Ability to Ticket
Senator Barley, however, owes the nomi-
nation to himself alone He knocked the con.
vention's eye out with his keynote speech the
opening night of the convention. Further he
has been the wheel-horse Of the Democratic
Party for years in the Senate. His services
should have been rewarded earlier He brings
to the ticket a great ability as a campaigner.
He will help the Democratic ticket greatly in
Kentucky, border State. If he does, he may
swing the balance in favor OF the Democratic
candidate for the Senate, against Republican
Senator Cooper. The Democrats need that
seat particularly II they are to have the ghost
OF chance to control the upper House in the
next Congress.
The Barley nomination will certainly brine
a more kindly feeling for the ticket In the
States of the South, although the resentment
In that section Of the country against Mr.. Tru.
man is intense. But the southerners will look
to him for aid and leadership in the national
party If the election goes against the Demo.
Gratis next fall.
incidentally, jority Of the delegates in
the National Convention would have preferred
to have the Kentuckian at the head Of the
ticket.