Evening star., 1951-01-07

publicans from these sections Of
the country (the q. o. P. has only
two representatives from the
South, both from TENNESSEE.
The II Southern States pro-
duce % Of the Democrats 40 Sem
ators, leaving q from the other
sections of the country, and eight
of these are from so-called "bor-
der" States, Kentucky, Maryland,
Missouri. Oklahoma and West Vir-
ginia. The Republicans, on the
other hand, have At Senators, all
from States outside of the South.
Party in Distress
It is clear that with the IL
Southern States delegations elm
mated, the Republicans would
control both Houses of Congress
by large majorities. For the Dem
ocratic Party, the allegiance of
the South is imperative, under
1851 conditions. How long the
Democrats of the South can be
kicked around by the so-called
liberal Democrats of the rest Of
the country without dangerous re-
percussions at the polls is a ques-
ton. The democracy of the South
still remains. however, the hard
core of the party.
The recent political campaign
ard its results have left the Dem
ocratic Party in important States
OF the North and West in a bad
way. These States stretch from
California to New York. Work.
ing East from the West Coast, the
Democrats suffered severely in
california, Utah, Colorado, Iowa
Wisconsin. Illinois, Indiana
pennsylvania and New York. In
California the COP. picked up a
second Senator, Nixon, and re-
elected Gov. Warren by a stupend-
Gus vote over the late President
FRANKLIN D. Roosevelt's son.
James. Gov. Warren's vote ex-
ceedeo that of Mr.. Roosevelt bv
l,l1!,S9S votes, although Califor-
ma has 1,117.393 more registered
democrats than Republicans. A
total Of 1882 per cent of the reg
lsteled voters in California partic.
lpated IN the election. In number
OF votes received Gov. Warren
broke all previous records both for
himself and all other candidates
Tor office. No other major party
candidate in California history
has ever been defeated as deci-
slVely as was James Roosevelt.
GcV. Warren carried all So coun-
ties OF the State. Only in the
House delegates did the Democrats
break even with the Republicans.
ana considering the party regis
tration figures, this is not a good
showing.
The Democratic organizations in
the great States of New York and
LIMOS proved utterly inadequate
to meet the Republican attack. In
New York, Gov. Dewey was re-
elected with lead of over half a
mlilicn votes. and the Republicans
made a net gain of two in the
House delegation. While Demo-
cratic Senator Lehman was re-
elected, had it not been for the
letter writing proclivities of his
opponent. Joe Hanley, he too.
mighl have been DEBATED. AS of
today. the New York Democratic
OF ganization is fiat on it's back.
Illinois Republicans not only
elected their senatorial candidate,
Everett Dirksen, by a large ma
jority over Senator Lucas, Demo-
crat, but they increased their
House strength by four. They
gave the Cook County (Chicago)
Democratic organization a ter
rible drubbing-and Jake Arvey,
its chairman, announced he was
through. With Arvey out and the
late Ed Felley, Mayor and for
years a dominent figure in Il
linois democracy, dead, the Demo-
Gratis there are in a bad way. In
diana Republicans not only re-
elected Senator Capehart, but took
five House seats away from the
Democrats.
Get Top Assignments
These are only samples of what
happened to the Democratic Party
outside of the solid South-in
the last election. Is it any Won
der that the Democrats of the
South are seeing themselves again
in the ascendency in the national
party? Or that the administra-
ton. whether it likes it or not,
must give more heed to what the
Southern leaders say?
In both House and Senate
Southern Democrats hold the
chairmanships of most of the i'm
portant standing committees, and
the Speaker of the House is a
Texan, San Rayburn, and the
President Pro Tempore of the SEN
ate is Tenlesseean, Kenneth Nc
Kellar. These honors-important
poSts-come to them because of
long, continuous tenure of office.
The Fair Dealers are tremendously
handicapped when it comes to
such assignments because they are
comparative newcomers.
President Truman has expressed
his approval of the selection of
Senator Mcfarland as majority
leader of the Senate and of Sena-
tor johnson as assistant leader
and whip. Whatever he may have
felt, the President gave no sign of
dismay at the coalition action
in the House which restored the
old powers of the Rules Com
mittee. That he will renew his
recommendations for the Fair
Deal legislative program in his
to Congress is taken for
granted. Whether he will stand
like rock against any amend
ment of the labor laws which does
not provide outright repeal of the
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