Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-05-01

pubic IlSuI6S Oh his ClIQe.
Sc, nearly "a years in the Senate
he emblazoned his name on the
# of this century.
ne to be known affectfonately as
cuff better than most men dc
with preparation.
Had Sharp Jibes, Too
Senator Barley was noted fol
the humorous touches in his
speeches. But his humor could
have an acid touch to it, as In
last Wednesday nights National
Press Club speech. Speaking oil
his party's plans for November
Senator Barley said the Demo-
Gratis would send Eisenhower
back to Gettysburg. where Sc
many other military heroes rest.
Only ten days ago he was
one of the principal speakers at
the Woodrow Wilson Centennial
dinner at the National Guard
Armory. An orator of the old
school. he flayed the Eisenhower
administration as one which
favors the interests" and big
business.
Having grown up in the era
when a public speaker had to rely
on his own lung power to be
heard, Senator Barkley's voice
fairly doomed out through mod
'ern simplifying systems.
Stepped Out of Race
Perhaps the most disappoint-
ing moment in his long career
came at the 1852 Democratic
convention, when he found it
necessary to step out of the race
for his party's presidential
nomination.
The Kentuckian had gone to
Chicago filled with hope that he
might be the dark-horse choice
to succeed Mr.. Truman. who
had announced he would not
run.
Realizing that his age-74-
would be used as an argument
against him, the Weep marched
from the railroad station to his
hotel, when he arrived, to dem
onStrate his vigor.
But his hopes were quickly
dashed when a group of leaders
of organized labor regretfully
notified Mr.. Barley they could
not support him because of his
age. In a Democratic conven-
ton this was body blow, and,
in a midnight statement. the
Kentuckian withdrew from the
race.
Despite his disappointment,
Mr.. Barkley addressed the con-
vention, and never was his ora
torical stature so great. His
booming voice completely be-
lied his age. He went on to work
for the Democratic ticket in the
campaign.
Oldest to Become Vice President
In 1949, Mr.. Barley, at II, was
the Oldest man ever to become
Vice President. But it remained
for him to lift the title and the
office from anonymity to a vital,
pulsating part of the American
scene.
That he succeeded in publ
Ching the Office as it had never
been publicized before is more a
tribute to Mr.. Barley, the hui
man, well loved, q story telling
parliamentarian, than it is in
dicative of any broadening of the
Vice Presidents duties.
Mr.. Barkley's name and fame
already were perpetuated by his
party leadership in the Senate
through the war years, his
Staunch support of Rooseveltian
New Deal policies. his skill as
Idebater and orator, his persua-
SiveneSs as national convention
keynoter and his keen political
acumen.
Ready Wit Was Popular
He carried into the vice presi-
dency a singular popularity that
bridged partisan interests. 1t
was the kind of popularity epit-
omized by frequent appearances
at public affairs. where his ready
wit and good humor earned for
him the self-indorsed title OF
Weep"
After nearly four years of hav-
ing no Vice President at all, the
country embraced Mr.. Barley
as romantic hero. Romantic
for. at the age of 70. he married
charming Mrs. Carleton S. Had
ley. a 38-year-old st. Loui:
widow in a courtship that out.
did anything Hollywood coulc
offer. He was the first Vice
President to marry while ii
Office.
The courtship had kept the
Nation guessing while Mr.. Bark.
ley made several flying visits tt
st. Louis. 1t ended with the mar.
riage' in st. Johns Methods
Church there on November 10
l949.
Marriage ended another of the
early portraits of Barley the
t"Veep"-a smiling. genial mar
who invariably showed up al
affairs where there was a newly
crowned contest queen to be
kissed But it introduced a new
chapter in which Mr. and Mrs
Barley were the toast Of Wash
Iington society.
Gave Lie to Own Anecdote
! To all intents and purpose:
MI Barley gave the lie to one
of his own favorite stories. g
yarn he spun on his nationa