Evening star., 1954-11-06
The Political Mil
Independent Morse
Cast in Key Senate Role
Where He'll Go, Portywise,
Is Now the Big Question
The Political Mil
BY Gould Lincoln

By Gould Lincoln
The key man in the organization Of
the Senate for the 84th Congress els
Senator Wayne Morse of Oregon, in
ependent-unlesS. indeed, changes In
the close Oregon and New Jersey sem
atorial races should bob up to give the
Democrats 40 Senators or to leave them
with only a.
AS things stand today. the Demo-
Gratis are credited with 48 Senators
just half the total membership of the
Senate-and with the aid of Senator
Morse's vote can take control of the
upper house. In Oregon, the unofficial
count gives Richard L. Neuberger,
Democrat, lead of 2,099 over Repub-
lican Senator Gordon. Clifford P. Case,
Republican. holds lead of 3,308 over
Representative Howell, Democrat, in
the New Jersey contest.
Presumably, however, an oficial
count or even recount will not change
the Neuberger and Case victories. If
this proves true, next January Senator
Morse will cast his vote with the Demo-
Gratis, giving them a bare majority of
one in organizing the Senate -electing
president pro tempore, a secretary,
sergeant at arms and the chairmen of
Senate committees. Obviously, Senator
Morse is in position to demand favors
at the hands of the Democrats.
He is not making any demand upon
them whatever. He is emphatic in
saying this. mo one owes me anything"
is his comment, despite the fact he
aided greatly in the campaign which
gave Mr.. Neuberger victory in OREGON,
and despite the fact Senator Morse
spoke for Democratic candidates in II
States outside of Oregon-in some Of
them not once, but number of times.
His record as campaigner for the
Democratic cause was remarkable. He
made Ill major speeches. beginning
last Labor Day in Florida and winding
up in the State of Washington.
Will Seek Reelection.
Senator Morse, a native of Wisconsin
and for much of his life an assistant
professor and professor of law at the
University Of Wisconsin, the University
OF Minnesota and finally at the Uni
versity OF Oregon. to which he went
in 1929, is only 81 years old. Where
his political ambitions will finally land
him is anybody's guess. He intends to
seek reelection to the Senate in 1856.
While the victory of Mr.. Neuberger,
scored with Senator Morse'S aid, does
not mean certain victory for Senator
Morse two years hence, it goes a long
way toward assuring Morse victory.
Had Mr.. Neuberger been defeated, the
picture for Senator Morse would be
anything but bright.
The Oregon Senator resigned from
the Republican Party and became an
independent at the time of the Eisen-
hover presidential campaign. He has
been denounced by Republicans in
Oregon and in other States as a rene
gade. Senator Morse, however, takes
the position that he did not run out
on the G. o. P. but that it ran out on
him. There is some reason to believe
that conservative Republicans in Ore
gon-who hate Senator Morse-were
largely responsible for his decision to-
quit the party. Nor was the Eisen-
hover encourage wholly without blame.
Senator Morse himself tells the story.
of Republican opposition in his own
State. He was the first Republican
Senator to declare for Eisenhower for
President. He ran more strongly for.
delegate to the Republican National
Convention in 1852 than any other
candidate except the then Gov. Nc.
Kay-now Secretary of the Interior
But while Senator Morse was attending
the Senate in Washington prior to the
national convention, his opponents;
were able to put resolution through
the Oregon delegation to deny SEN
ator Morse membership on the resolu-y
tions or platform committees of the.
national convention. Also, after the
Eisenhower nomination, Senator Morse,
was not consulted, it is reported, re-
garding vice presidential candidate
"They talk about my leaving the Re-
publican Party" Senator Morse COM
ments. "The party left me-"
"QuO Vadis?"
One large question remaining un-
settled-wil Senator Morse now reg
lister as Democrat and become a
member Of that party? Or will he
continue as the sole member of the
Independent Party" In the Senate2
His inclination is toward the latter
course. my intention" he says, sis
to do whatever is best for the liberal
cause" Running as independent can.
didate in Statewide contest-for the
Senate-is no easy job, however. Also,
if Mr.. Morse should join the Democratic 6
Party officially, he could expect to goV
much farther up the political ladder
than if he remains kind of lone-woIf
Independent.
When the Republicans declined to
continue Senator Morse in his i'm
portant committee assignments in 1858,
the beginning of the present Congress,
he got no support FROM the Democrats.
This coming Congress will present a.
different picture. Democratic Leader
of the Senate Lyndon johnson Of
Texas. already has indicated that he
can have what he wants. One Of the
jobs he really desires is membership
on the Senate Foreign Relations Cons
mittee. He insists his seniority In the
Senate entities him to it.
Incidentally he is no isolationiEf