Evening star., 1953-04-23
The Political Mill
GO. P. Hopes to Defeat
Humphrey and Douglas
Prominent New Dealers
Will Foce Voters in 1854
The Political Mill
BY Gould Lincoln

Will Foce Voters in 1854
BY Gould Lincoln
The congressional elections of 1854
may have terrific impact on the con-
troll of the national Democratic Party
two years later. For example, two out
standing New Deal-Fair Deal Senator's
are up for reelection next year-Sen-
ator Douglas of Illinois and Senator
Humphrey Of Minnesota. IF one or both
Of them should be knocked of by Re-
publican opponents, the so-called liberal
element in the Democratic Party would
take body blow. The more conserva-
tive branch might have much more to
say about the party platform and about
the presidential candidate in 1856.
Two other prominent figures in the
New Deal-Fair Deal wing Of the party
also may figure in the 1854 elections,
Gov. Mennen Williams Of Michigan
and Representative Franklin D. Roose-
velt, jr.. Of New York. They played
widely publicized parts in the Demo-
cratic National Convention of 1852.
Gov. Williams may take one of two
courseS-he may run for Governor
again or he may run for Senator
against Republican Senator Homer
Ferguson. Mr.. Roosevelt, who will be
40 years old next year. may be groomed
for the Democratic nomination for
Governor-provided he decides to make
a bid for it. Gov. Williams is serving
his third term in State which has
shown itself Republican in recent elec-
tions both for President and for Con-
gress. He has large personal follow
ing-aS Governor. How he would do in
a senatorial race is another matter. If
anything should happen next year to
dim the political luster Of these two
young leaders Of the liberal wing, or
either of them, it would mean serious
loss to the New Deal-Fair Dealers.
Looking for Candidates.
The Republicans in Illinois and Min
nesota are still casting around for
candidates to oppose Senator'S Douglas
and Humphrey. Half dozen or more
prospective and willing candidates for
these nominations are talked of in each
State. The Republicans are hopeful
they can find winners. They point out
that both were elected to the Senate
in 1948. bad year for Republicans,
when their national ticket was taking
a licking. They are banking strongly
on successful record for the Eisen-
hover administration and the con.
tinued popularity of President Eisen-
hover to have important bearing on
these senatorial contests. In Illinois,
If the Republicans do not become in
volved in bitter strife over the sena-
torial nomination, the G. o. P. leaders
think they can defeat Senator Douglas.
They recall that he was elected by a
big lead in 1948, when the voters turned
strongly against the then Gov. Green
and his senatorial running mate, Sena-
tor Brooks. The Republicans say they
Will be under no such handicap next
year. Three members Of the House.
Mrs. Church in the 18th district, Will
liam E. McVey in the 4th and Timothy
P. Sheehan in the 18th, are among
the seven candidates mentioned. Two
other potential candidates who have
strong followingS are the president pro
tempore Of the State Senate, Walker
Butler. and Joseph Meek, president of
the Illinois Federation of Retail Asso-
Citations
Humphrey Is Tough.
The Republicans admit they will be
up against tough opponent in the
Minnesota senatorial race. Senator
Humphrey. once Mayor of Minneapolis,
is brilliant campaigner and he will
have strong labor support. Represents
atlve Judd, who also halls from Min
neapoliS, is the potential candidate most
often mentioned to run against Senator
Humphrey. He, too, is good cam
paigner. The sooner the Minnesota
Republicans come to decision upon a
candidate, the better off for the party.
He must be built up and canvass the
State thoroughly if he is to have a
chance.
There are other Democratic Sena-
tors who belong to the liberal wing of
the party who must run the gantlet
OF the elections, among them Senator'S
Anderson Of New Mexico and MURRAY
OF Montana. Both these States pumped
for Eisenhower and elected Republic
can Governors last year.
Conservative Democrats, who were
Shunted aside in the party's national
conventions Of 1948 and 1852, still hold
commanding places in Congress. They
still desire to get the national party
back on more conservative track
and to play their part in the conven-
lion OF 1856. -Four Of their States voted
Tor Eisenhower. Virginia, Florida.
tennessee and Texas. It is Of interest
that in the first election since last
November involving a Democrat who
bucked Adlai Stevenson, the Demo-
cratic candidate for President, this re-
calcltrant Democrat was nominated
and elected to the House, former Gov.
William Tuck of Virginia. This is very
different treatment from that accorded
Democrats who bolted AL Smith back
IN 1928-for example, the late Senators
Summons Of North Carolina and Hefiin
OF Alabama. Both were defeated soon
after their bolt.