Evening star., 1949-09-25
Minton C|ings to New Deal Views
Once Known in Senate
as Rubber Stamp
for Roosevelt

for Roosevelt
through the support Of his friend,
Gov. Paul v. McNutt. He and
Mr.. McNutt were Indiana Uni
versity classmates, fellow war vet
Grams and active in the American
Legion.
The designation shadow Of
McNutt" did not hurt him politi-
cally in Indiana, but might have
kept him in the background here.
He soon overcame whatever hand
leap there was in that.
The severest critic Of Judge
Minton never accused him of lack
ing courage or unwillingness to
take a clear stand on all major
issues. In the senatorial cam
paign he opposed the World War
I bonus proposal and on some
then-developing New Deal issues
he took an even more outspoken
stand than the administration
spokesmen at the time.
| Caught Roosevelt's Eye
Soon after his arrival in the
Senate he spearheaded success
full move to break a fllibuster by
Senator Huey Long of Louisiana
He went on the lobby investigat-
ing committee in 1885 and soon
began to attract notice of the
White House, then seeking a "re-
liable" as we'll as wholly enthusi-
astic champion in the Senate
Some colleagues remarked at the
time that he was selected for
fighting qualities rather than as
New Deal braintruster."
His Senate career, even aside
from the Supreme Court issue
was far more spectacular than
might be suspected from the fact
that he seldom wandered from
the administration line. especially
on spending and debt policies.
The only instances in which he
went contrary to President Roose-
velt on important matters were
when he supported a soldiers
bonus bill, contrary to his own
stand in Indiana. and voted to
override a veto of a measure to
continue low interest rates to
/ farmers.
Whatever the administration
thought about the Hatch Act for
regulation of political party ex-
penditures and participation of
Federal employees in political ac-
tivity, Senator Minton told all
and sundry that he would fight
it to the 'last ditch" because he
was convinced it would never
work.
In the heat of a debate on the
bill he asserted Senator Hatch,
Democrat. of New Mexico was
"cockeyed." On another occa-
sion. he angrily charged wartime
"Slackerism" in the family of
another Senator. These and SIM
liar outburst were viewed by some
Senators as breaking the sena-
torial code.
| But his Senate contemporaries
recalled that he never lacked for
friends or lost any after he earned
their liking and respect. They
also tell of the time he swiftly
returned a crate of celery sent
to him in shipment from Flor
ida groups as a mark of gratitude
to Senators who voted for a canal
across the upper part of that
State. ..-...i
An advocate of increased ma
! tional defense outlays in the late
1930s, he spoke frequently in and
out of the Senate in 1889 and
1910 for repeal of the arms en-
barge and later for various secu-
rity measures.
Observers Delay judgment
"We live in a world ruled by
war and not by law" he said in a
speech at a forum arranged by
The Star. There is no code of
morals in international affairs
upon which to base a system of
international law"
Much has happened since his
fiery days in the Senate, and dur
ing his quieter times on the Court
of Appeals. The elevation of
Judge Minton to the Supreme
Court has caused progressives,
moderates and conservatives to
suspend judgment to a greater de-
gree than they did for President
Truman's three previous appoint
ments-Justice Burton, Chief JUS
tice Vinson and Justice Clark.
Their expectations or apprehen-
sions may differ in kind and de-
gree. But they seem to unite in
hoping that on the Supreme tri-
bunal he will prove the truth of a
1884 Indiana Democratic poster
proclaiming Candidate Minton In
the following overall terms:
Sherman Minton's character
and vision hold appeal to the
young voter. likewise to both pro-
gressive and conservative elements
Of our citizenship. Conservatives
know his principles are soundly
founded. Progressives know he
has foresight and stands for JUS
tice."