Evening star., 1948-06-24
Senator Martins Shift
Bold Political Stroke
Pennsylvania Sought to Avert
Repetition of 40 Fiasco
Bv Gould Lincoln


By Gould Lincoln
PHILADELPHIA, June 24-Pennsylvania
Republicans, led by Senator Martin, made
bold bid for place in the sun-to become
the keystone State in a presidential nomina-
tion. 1t is reminiscent Of the Penrose days
and later Of Bill Ware, when the State with
the second largest delegation in Republican
National Convention politically amounted to
something.
Senator Martin was unwilling that Pennsyl-
vania should be a catspaw in the presidential
battle. Further, he and former Senator Joe
Grundy, long power in Pennsylvania Repub-
lican politics. determined they would not ride
along under the domination of Gov. Duff. The
Governor had his own ideas about presiden-
tial nominee-and it was Senator Vandenberg
of Michigan.
Opposed to "Pig in Poke"
The decision of Senator Martin to withdraw
himself from the presidential race-as Pennsyl-
vania's favorite son-and to place in nomina-
ton Gov. Dewey of New York, was major
political stroke. He realized his favorite-son
candidacy could not win him nomination at
the hands of the convention. He personally
did not intend to be used to further the inter-
estS of an unknown candidate-for there was
no assurance that Senator Vandenberg, who
had constantly declared himself not candi-
date, could be nominated either. Senator
Martin decided not to buy pig in poke, but
to make PennsyNanias influence felt by throw
ing as many of its delegates as he could to
a candidate who had chance to win.
1t brought about bitter fight which may
have it's repercussions in the Keystone State
in the future. Aligned with Gov. Duff, when
the showdown came in a caucus of the Pennsyl-
vania delegation, was Joseph E. Pew, who has
been member of the Republican National
Committee in the past and always considered
a power in the party The Martin-Grundy
faction won-and the caucus decided to cast
40 votes for Gov. Dewey, 81 for Senator Taft.
for Senator Vandenberg and / for Mr..
Stassen, with delegates not recorded.
Duff Remained Cordial
The poll of the delegates was taken after
there had been at least one caustic criticism
of Senator Martin and an equally fervent
defense of the Senator. Where this leaves Gov.
Duff in the political picture of Pennsylvania Is
still to be determined. Gov. Duff himself
praised Senator Martin and declared he would
always admire him. And Senator Martin
thanked the Governor for his praise and
cordially shook hands, when the fracas was
over.
Senator. Martin had no desire to perform the
part of former Gov James at the 1910 Re-
publican National Convention, also held in
Philadelphia Gov. James was favorite-son
candidate, and he stuck in the race, holding
onto the Pennsylvania delegation When the
sixth ballot for President was taken and Wlllkle
was being nominated, the Pennsylvania dele
cation was out of the hall caucusing to decide
what to do 1t not only lost Pennsylvania
prestige but it made the Republican leadership
a laughing stock.
Ware Helped Name Hoover.
Senator Penrose, in 1920 when the Repub-
lican National Convention was tied in knots
over the candidates. of Gov. Lowden OF Illinois,
Senator Hiram johnson and Gen. Leonard
Wood, played the major part in the nomination
of Warren G. Harding of Ohio In confer
ence in a smoke-flled room IN Chicago
hotel the Pennsylvania Republican boss put
his finger on the Ohioan.
William S. Ware, primarily the Republican
boss OF Philadelphia. played an equally I'M
portant part in the speedy nomination OF
Herbert Hoover for President in Kansas City
eight years later. Andrew Mellon, then Secre-
tary of the Treasury and a power In Western
PENNSYLVANIA, was mulling over In his mind
what to do in those days when q draft OF
Coolidge" was being considered in some quar-
ters Mr. Ware however, when he reached
Kansas City, Immediately gave out statement
saving he was for Mr. Hoover and that PENN
sylvania would vote for him. That quick move
took all the fight out of the Hoover opposition.