Evening star., 1950-06-27
The Political Mill
The Political Mill
Trumon Might Lose All
II Southern States in 81
South CoroIino Primor
Muy Provide New JOLT
By Gould Lincoln

BY Gould Lincoln
President Truman lost four Of the IL
States Of the solid South" In the ie4S
election. Judging from the recent Demo-
cratic Senatorial primaries in Florida and
North Carolina. unless he stops treading
on Southern toes. Mr.. Truman might
lose all II of these States in 1851. should
he be candidate to succeed himself.
The President. almost Immediately
after his election in 1913. announced with
considerable satisfaction he was proud
he had been elected without the solid
South and without the electoral votes Of
New York. Later. he again called on Con-
greSS to put through his civil rights pro-
gram. During his inaugural parade. he
turned his back on Gov Thurmond Of
South Carolina. and few days ago he In
vited all the Democratic Governors to
have lunch with him, on their way back
from the Governors Conference at White
Sulphur Springs-except Gov Thurmond
and Gov. Wright Of Mississippi. who con-
stituted the States rights ticket against
MIR. Truman two years ago
Gov. Thurmond is now engaged In n
campaign for the Democratic senatorial
nomination in South Carolina. The more
recent Truman Snub may help him. rath-
er than hurt him. in his contest with
Senator Johnston. It's fact that john
ston has been campaigning as an enemy,
a violent enemy. of Mr.. Truman's civil
rights program. and even goes to the
length OF telling his audiences that he
absented himself and his guests from a
table right in front Of the President at
the JefferSon-Jackson dinner In WASH
fngton the winter of 1919. But Gov.
Thurmond points out that Mr.. Johnston
stood aloof in the 1948 presidential cam
paign. and that Mr.. Johnston hurried
oack into the Truman camp after that
election.
Another Jolt for Truman?
The South Carolina primary takes
place July II. If Gov. Thurmond is the
winner in the senatorial primary-and
former Secretary of State Byrnes is NOM
mated for Governor-this will be another
jolt for the Truman Fair Dealers, though
not as severe as the blow in North Caro-
Ina. North Carolina has been the BAN
ner Truman State in the South-up un-
til few days ago. OF all the Southern
States, its delegation alone In the l94S
Democratic National Convention stuck to
MIR. Truman and failed to vote for Sem
ator Russell of Georgia for the presiden-
tial nomination. 1t gave Mr.. Truman a
big majority on election day. But when
Senator Graham. in the senatorial run
off primary last Saturday. was defeated
by Willis Smith. violently anti-Truman,
the Tar Heel State moved long way
away from Mr.. Truman Senator Gra-
ham has been the fair-haired boy Of the
Fair Dealers and their allies, the CIO
and AFL.
Willis Smith. former president Of the
American Bar Association, ran $4,000
votes behind Senator Graham IN the first
primary. In the run.off. however, he was
$4,000 votes ahead Of Senator Graham.
In the interim. the Supreme Court, in
two decisions. dealt severe blows ct segre-
cation of races in college education.
These decisions did not help Senator
Graham.
Other Possibilities.
The result to date has been the loss of
two Democratic Senators who supported
all or nearly all Of the Truman Fair Deal
measures. 1t means that In the next Con-
gress the Truman program will have that
much less Democratic support. II Gov.
Thurmond wins nomination, the Truman
opposition will be further strengthened.
Southern Democrats, resentful Of the
Presidents attitude toward Cows. Thur
mond and Wright. point out that Henry
Wallaces running Innate in 1948. Senator
Taylor OF Idaho, was received back in the
Democratic fold and given his place as
a Democrat in the Senate organization,
without any protest from Mr.. Truman.
Senator Taylor is seeking denomination
in Idaho as Democrat Southern Demo-
Gratis ask why Mr.. Truman is more tender
to member of the Progressive ticket,
which in l948 had bright red, Commu-
mist tinge. than he is to the members Of
the States rights ticket.
The democracy Of the South is demon
strating that 1t has little in common with
the Truman Fair Deal and that the
Democratic Party Is so divided 1t cannot
function legislatively in the present Con-
gress, and probably In the 82d Congress.
when 1t shall have been elected.