The Pittsburgh Press (September 24, 1944)
Farmers urged to fight New Deal
‘Cotton Ed’ heads Democratic group
Washington (UP) – (Sept. 23)
Anti-fourth-term Democrats appealed to farmers tonight to “smash the vicious control of the New Deal” by giving overwhelming support to the Republican Dewey-Bricker ticket in November.
The plea came from the newly-formed National Agricultural Committee, headed by Senator Ellison D. “Cotton Ed” Smith (D-SC), a bitter critic of President Roosevelt and his policies. Mr. Smith was recently defeated for renomination. The drive to place the farmers in the Republican camp is part of a continuing revolt by Southern conservative Democrats which began this summer in South Carolina and spread to Texas, Mississippi, Louisiana and other areas south of the Mason-Dixon Line.
Southern customs involved
One of its primary purposes was to seek to force the administration to go on record in opposition to racial equality, repeal of the poll, tax and other kindred measures involving deep-rooted Southern customs.
The rebellion suffered a reversal today when the Texas Supreme Court ordered names of 23 pro-Roosevelt electors placed on the Democratic ballot in the state’s general election Nov. 7. They will replace a former slate which included 15 members who publicly announced they would not vote for the President.
The action assures the Roosevelt-Truman ticket the support of all Texas electors. since Chief Justice James P. Alexander of the Texas Supreme Court said no motion for a rehearing would be entertained.
Economic freedom urged
Mr. Smith’s organization, in a resolution adopted at the close of a two-day session here, said “it is the patriotic duty of Americans to place the interest of their country above any selfish party affiliation.”
Mr. Smith said:
The time for the economic freedom of the American farmer has arrived. He has been held in virtual slavery for 12 years by New Deal schemes designed to keep him dependent on government handouts which he never wanted.
Ralph Moore, former official of the Texas Grange and secretary of the new organization, said:
This committee will get out a farm vote sufficient to offset any possible gains to be made by Sidney Hillman and his Political Action Committee.