Evening star., 1952-08-05
The Political Mill

All Of Party Nominees
But Hybrid Ticket May Cost
Democrats Many Votes
By Gould Lincoln
HYANNIS, Aug. 5-Gov. Adlai Ste
venson Of Illinois. the Democratic white
hope, chides Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower
because the general says he's going to
support all Republican nominees for
Congress. even If he differs with them on
some issues. Does this mean that Gov.
Stevenson will not support the re-elec-
ton Of Senators Byrd of Virginia. STEM
mis- Of Mississippi, Holland of Florida and
Senator Connally's successor for the
Democratic nomination for the Senate
in Texas because he does not see eye to
eye with them on the civil rights issue?
Or does it mean that Gov. Stevenson
sees the civil rights issue just as these
Southern senatorial candidates see it?
If he does, how can he go along with
those Stalwart Fair Dealers, Benton Of
Connecticut, Moody of Michigan and
Pastore Of Rhode Island. all up for re-
election?
The Illinois Governor. now his party's
presidential candidate, really stepped on
the gas when he started that line Of
argument. AS a matter Of fact. how
ever. Gov. Stevenson is going right along
to help elect all these Democratic Sena-
torial candidates, no matter on which
side Of the civil rights issue they happen
to be. II he came out against Harry
Byrd Of Virginia ct al, just where would
1t leave hirn-and his running mate.
Senator Sparkman Of Alabama-with
the Democrats Of the South? Senator
Sparkman was put on the Democratic
ticket to help hold on to the electoral
votes Of the solid South.
1924 Choices Recalled.
All this adds up to the fact that it is
usually mistake to nominate. as head
of party ticket, a candidate who be-
Neves one thing, and to nominate as his
running mate candidate who believes
the exact opposite. The Democrats back
in 1924 did just what they have done
now. After long and bitter fight in
their national convention in the old
Madison Square Garden in New York,
they picked John w. Davis, a conserva-
tive old-line Democrat from West Vir-
ginia and New York. for President and
then took Charley Bryan Of Nebraska.
brother of William Jennings. for Vice
President.
This civil rights issue-which, to the
colored voters. means a compulsory Fed
eral FEPC-actually threatens to tear
the Democratic Party wide open. Repre-
sentative Adam Clayton Powell, jr.. rep
resenting Harlem district in New York,
has proposed that Gov. Stevenson and
Senator Sparkman take q very, very
definite stand in favor Of enacting with
out delay q Federal FEPC law. Mr..
Powell Is a Democrat. but he is urging
all Negro voters to stay away from the
polls next November If he cannot get
an FEPC pledge from Stevenson and
Sparkman.
The Democratic presidential nominee
is in worse shape over this division in
his party than is Gen. Eisenhower over
the division in the Republican Party on
foreign policy. The Brickers, the Nc
Carthys. the Malones and Kems are not
going to try to throw their States to the
Democratic candidate just because Gen.
! Eisenhower disagrees with them on for
= eign aid, etc. But II Gov. Stevenson
comes all out for a Federal FEPC law, If
he declares for an amendment to the
Senate rules to cut of debate by a
majority vote. he may find some of these
and other Senators from the South try
ing desperately to keep him from getting
the electoral votes of their States.
Senator Sparkman. unless he decides
cfo nj fNp t.
be stone around the neck Of the Dem
ocratic presidential candidate in New
York. Illinois. Pennsylvania and other
States where there Is big Negro vote.
Another Run-Around Likely.
OF course. Gov Stevenson and Senator
Sparkman may refuse to be forced by
Mr.. Powell and other Negro leaders into
taking any firm stand in support Of
FEPC. They might even gain some votes
by refusing to do so. for. except for the
Negro population and one or two other
minority groups, a Federal FEPC Is not
popular in the North, South, East or
West. For example, an effort to start an
FEPC in California was overwhelmingly
beaten at the polls. and even In Illinois
Gov. Stevenson was unable to have such
q law put on the statute books.
The results Of a hat denial by Gov.
Stevenson and Senator Sparkman to have
anything to do with FEPC as an i'm
mediate proposition would certainly have
the effect Of losing them many Negro
votes. These are the votes which have
been helping to elect Democratic presi-
Dental candidates ever since 1892.
For 20 years, the Negroes have been
knocking at the Democratic door for
civil rights legislation for 20 years
they have knocked in vain. No wonder
the present hybrid Democratic ticket,
with a supposedly strong supporter Of
FEPC at one end and strong opponent
Of FEPC at the other end. is giving them
concern. It looks to them. just what it
is-another run-around.
ForeweII to Chincoteuque
At last the hoot beats echo as the horses
0GlIop through the bush,
Circling and turning toiuards the iOater's
ed0e.