Evening star., 1950-03-25
The Political Mill
Dewey Decision Awaited
On Race for Reelection
Third Time Governorship Is
Necessary to His Public Life
By Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
NEW YORK, Mar. 25-For nearly a
quarter of century Gov. Thomas E.
Dewey of New York has been in the public
eye-the last eight years as chief execu-
tive of the Empire State, and twice dur
ing that period the nominee of his party
for President. Gov. Dewey has now to
decide whether he is to be a candidate
for reelection or step out into private
life. in an elder-statesman role.
Public life and public service have been
IN his blood for years. He has been
large figure in the Republican Party He
was the first Republican candidate in
years to win election as district attorney
OF New York County. He was the first
Republican in years, too. to be elected
Governor. 1t has been under his leader
ship that New York returned to the Re-
publican fold. 1t is argued here that if
he is to retain an important place in
public life, he must seek reelection
and win tin the November contest.
To relinquish the spot in the limelight
which Gov. Dewey has held for years
may come hard Also, it is only human
for him to desire to vindicate himself
again at the polls, after the unexpected
defeat of 1948 in the presidential elec-
tion. He could step out of public Office
and into private life in 1854, if he should
win reelection with better taste In his
mouth.
Would Help 1856 Bid.
If he still has aspirations for the presi-
dency-and a man who has sought that
high Office and come so near usually
does continue to aspire-he would be in
better position to make his bid in 1856 if
he won the New York governorship a
third time.
On the other side of the picture lies
probably brilliant career at the bar if
Gov. Dewey goes back now to the pri-
vate practice of law-With perhaps an
appointment to the Supreme Court in
years to come. Such a private practice
would yield him a competence for his
family and himself which he could not
hope for in public office.
The party nominations for Governor
are made in State conventions held next
September. 1t may be that Gov. Dewey
will hold off and let nature take its
course. If the Republicans, in conven-
ton, should demand his denomination,
he could yield to the draft. So far as
Franklin D. Roosevelt, in 1910, awaited
call from the Democratic National
Convention to run for third term in
the White House. Mr.. Roosevelt took
the nomination-after keeping his party
guessing for months including his chief
political lieutenant, Democratic National
Chairman James A. Farley.
On the other hand, if Gov. Dewey has
determined not to be a candidate, he may
announce his plans early-perhaps after
he has taken action on the many bills
which the State Legislature has passed
and which he can approve or disapprove.
This would give the Republicans longer
time to settle on another nominee for
Governor, and to build him up To take
such step-as announcing he would
not run-Would necessarily lessen Gov.
DeWeys influence for the remainder OF
his term, influence which might be an
important factor in the selection of a
candidate for Governor and a candidate
for Senator.
"OId Team" in Good Jobs.
Gov. Dewey has placed nearly all of
the important members of the old Dewey
team" in Well-paying State Offices This
action has been interpreted in some
quarters as indicative of determination
on his part not to run for Governor.
Paul Lockwood, who has been his secre-
tary and been with him since racket
busting days, and long string of others
have been given these appointments. AS
matter of fact, they would still be very
much available for aid if Gov. Dewey
decides to run next fall. Further, he
will surround himself, presumably with
still other men of adequate qualifications,
who also could help in a campaign. The
going of his old aides, therefore, might
indicate he is not going to seek presi-
dental nomination in 1852, but it would
still leave in doubt the question of his
candidacy for Governor.
Take it by and large, Gov Dewey has
been able to get his legislative program
through the session of the Legislature,
and it has received favorable comment.
In fact, the program will provide some
major issues for the State campaign next
fan, among them the development Of
waterpoWer through State action with
out waiting for the Federal Government
to move into construction of the ST. Law
renee SeaWay, in conjunction with
Canada. The construction of the super
through-way highway into New York,
which Gov. Dewey is bringing about,
is another, and a third is rent control
legislation. If he is a candidate, he is
in position to go to bat for all of these
and his Democratic opponent may have
a difficult time answering.