Election 1944: Interval news

[NormanStewart]

Heffernan: Likes results of GOP convention

I should have preferred John W. Bricker as the Republican candidate. But although the splendid American who for three terms has served the state of Ohio has been named not for first but for second place, I find the Republican ticket satisfactory and the Republican cause eminently so.

Mr. Bricker about expressed my sentiment when he said the cause for which he had been fighting was bigger than his own or any man’s ambition. It is bigger than this columnist’s personal preference.

I like the result of the Republican gathering because I think the managers of the party intend that the platform shall not be as empty of real meaning as are such declarations generally. “The acceptance of the nominations made by this convention,” says the so-called pledge of faith, “carries with it as a matter of private honor and public faith an obligation by each candidate to be true to the principles and program herein set forth.”

What are those principles? What is the program? To win the war against all our enemies and establish a just and lasting peace, cooperating with sovereign nations to that end, employing force where necessary but believing that force alone will not be sufficient but that understanding and amity among the peoples must be cultivated. But, and here is the cardinal virtue of this platform:

We shall seek to achieve such aims through organized international cooperation and not by joining a world state.

We shall keep the American people informed concerning all agreements with foreign nations. In all of these undertakings, we favor the widest consultation of the gallant men and women in our Armed Forces who have a special right to speak with authority in behalf of the security and liberty for which they fight. We shall sustain the Constitution of the United States in the attainment of our international aims; and pursuant to the Constitution of the United States any treaty or agreement to attain such aims made on behalf of the United States with any other nation or any association of nations, shall be made only by and with the advice and consent of the Senate of the United States provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur.

That, and the declaration for constitutional government and against a presidential tenure of more than two terms, plus the pledge to reduce bureaucracy and abolish the policy of deficit spending, mark a realization of the evils which threaten the Republic if the New Deal again shall triumph at the polls.

Inconsiderate internationalism, which means expropriation and Marxism at home and the exploitation abroad of our treasure and our manhood at the dictation of a superstate, made an effort to burke this Republican convention as it did that of 1940. Mr. Willkie’s effort to raid the primaries and dictate the platform were the spearhead of that movement. It failed. The Republicans are to be thanked for giving a fair opportunity to those who believe Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln better defined and more splendidly exemplified democracy than Lenin, Hitler or Laski.

Having said which, I’ll bid my readers au revoir, for a spell.

[NormanStewart]

The Evening Star (July 4, 1944)

Georgians vote today in Democratic primary

By the Associated Press

Atlanta, Georgia –
Georgia Democrats combined the Fourth of July holiday today with their primary to select nominees for the Senate, four seats in the House and numerous county offices.

Negro Democratic leaders planned to attempt to vote to initiate legal grounds for a test of the party rule which restricts balloting to white voters only. The first reported efforts of Negroes to vote were in Atlanta, where they were rejected and left the polls without comment.

Senator George, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, was opposed for renomination by John W. Goolsby, a Washington, Georgia, farmer and businessman. It was the only statewide race. Six of the 10 Congressional races were uncontested.

A light vote from the approximately 500,000 qualified white Democrats was expected. Nomination in this state is equivalent to election.

[NormanStewart]

Gould Lincoln: The political mill

By Gould Lincoln

Two weeks hence, the Democrats will be on the eve of their national convention. Today the Democrats have not heard directly from President Roosevelt that he will run again. The same situation existed in 1940, two weeks before the President said he would accept a third-term nomination. He may or may not tell his followers his decision about a fourth-term nomination until the Democratic convention is actually underway.

If he wants the nomination, it is his. He does not have to worry about that. He might worry about another election. And certainly, no man has had as much reason as the President to wish release from the arduous job he has – after approximately 13 years.

The fact remains, however, that he is still to make a formal statement regarding his future political plans. He may feel that he cannot with propriety say whether he will accept a nomination until it has actually been tendered him. But if he has no plan to run for the Presidency again, he is late in disclosing his attitude. Certainly, a sudden declination, made to the delegates assembled in Chicago, would bring about a chaotic situation. No other candidates have been brought forward.

So, it is taken for granted that the President will permit his name to go before the coming convention and that he will accept its decision. Recent visitors at the White House, without quoting Mr. Roosevelt, have come away insisting he will be a candidate. Many weeks ago, Democratic National Chairman Hannegan said flatly he believed the President would run.

The Republicans, having nominated their national ticket – Dewey and Bricker – and written their party platform, are awaiting the results of the Democratic convention. Their campaign and its character will depend on the Democratic nominee and the Democratic platform. All of their platform. All of their speeches, including those at the recent Republican National Convention, have been written in the belief that Mr. Roosevelt will run again. If at the last minute, a new presidential nominee should be trotted out, the Republicans would amend their campaign plans materially.

Far more delegates to the coming Democratic National Convention have been ‘‘instructed” for President Roosevelt than were “instructed” for Governor Dewey before the Republican convention. Yet the “draft” of Mr. Dewey was accomplished with ease. Governor Dewey, like the President, had never said personally he would accept nomination. But some of his closest political friends and advisers went to Chicago, the convention city and issued statements declaring their belief the New York Governor would run if nominated.

It remains to be seen whether the draft of President Roosevelt for a fourth-term nomination can be obtained with as great unanimity as was the draft of Mr. Dewey. Delegations from some of the Southern states, especially Texas, Mississippi and South Carolina, are inimical to a fourth term. Indeed, a revolt not only against the nomination of Mr. Roosevelt but also against his reelection is threatened in the South.

That the “draft” of Mr. Roosevelt will go through, unless he halts it, is certain. But there are drafts and drafts. His “draft” in 1940 met with opposition in the Democratic convention. His own former chief political lieutenant, James A. Farley, was strongly opposed to a third-term nomination. Mr. Farley is still opposed to a President’s having more than two terms in the White House. It is expected he will have part in any attempted insurrection against the renomination of the President that crops up.

If the President is renominated, two New Yorkers, one a former Governor and the other the present Governor, will toe the mark in the presidential race. This recalls the 1920 contest, between Ohioans, one the late President Harding and the other former Governor Cox. In that presidential campaign, Franklin D. Roosevelt was the vice-presidential candidate on the Democratic ticket with Mr. Cox.

[NormanStewart]

Dewey may put off heavy campaigning until after Labor Day

Albany, New York –
A “down-on-the-farm” summer campaign, with political and state business carried on in Albany and speech-writing done on weekends at his 486-acre Pawling farm, was outlined tentatively yesterday by Governor Thomas E. Dewey.

Strengthening reports that his strategists want to keep the Republican presidential nominee “under wraps” until after Labor Day, Governor Dewey told a news conference in his executive office that he planned no major speeches in the next two months, but “may have to travel in the next month,” apparently to a campaign conference with other Republican Governors.

Gov. Dewey would not answer questions about national policies. He gave correspondents instead a detailed account of the historical background of the Quaker Hill community at Pawling (population, 1.446). Neighbors expect to hold a reception for him there Friday afternoon when he leaves Albany for a weekend.

May attend governors’ parley

Although Governor Dewey at first said all he knew about a prospective conference with other Republican governors was what he read in the newspapers, he later conceded he had discussed the possibility of such a meeting with Governor Earl Warren of California.

Governor Warren has promised to head an intensive campaign in California for Gov. Dewey and Governor John W. Bricker of Ohio, the vice-presidential nominee. Governor Dewey would not answer questions about Governor Warren’s refusal to be “drafted” by last week’s convention for the second-place nomination.

Chicago has been suggested as a possible meeting place for the governors. If the conference materializes, that probably will be Governor Dewey’s first trip out of New York since his flight to accept the nomination.

No plans beyond week

The nominee insisted, however, that his plans were not definite beyond this week. He is spending the Fourth of July in the Executive Mansion. working on the “enormous” congratulatory mail he said has stacked up. He had no appointments for visitors this week and said he planned to receive none at the Pawling farm.

“I would like to stay here for the next two months and go down to Pawling week ends.” he told reporters.

He said Republican headquarters would be opened in New York City tomorrow in the “Theodore Roosevelt” Hotel (his quotes), adding that Herbert Brownell Jr., new national chairman, would announce details soon.

Governor Dewey refused to discuss the government’s action in severing diplomatic relations with Finland and would not comment on the possibility that foreign policy might be ruled out as a campaign issue.

[NormanStewart]

Illinois Democrats back fourth term

Chicago, Illinois (AP) –
The Illinois State Democratic Convention last night adopted resolutions asking that President Roosevelt be drafted for four more years and urging that Senator Lucas be considered for the vice-presidential nomination in the event Vice President Wallace is not the candidate.

Both resolutions were presented by Mayor Edward J. Kelly, chairman of the Cook County Democratic Committee, who declared President Roosevelt should give the nation “the benefit of his leadership in these trying times.”

Mayor Kelly told the crowd of delegates and visitors at Chicago Stadium, estimated at 17,000, that he did not know whether a change in the party’s vice-presidential candidate was contemplated, but urged that Senator Lucas be considered in case a change were made.

Robert E. Hannegan, National Democratic Chairman, told the delegates that after a tour of more than 30 states he was “confident that President Roosevelt will be renominated and reelected.”

Mr. Hannegan reported:

The actual draft has already taken place and more than a majority of the delegates to the coming convention already have been pledged.

Senator Lucas, a candidate for reelection, urged the session to “draft and reelect” Mr. Roosevelt.

Senator Lucas asserted that the “same Republican old guard leaders responsible for the Hoover collapse controlled the delegates at the recent Republican convention.”

[NormanStewart]

The Free Lance-Star (July 5, 1944)

Wagner declines vital party post

Refuses chairmanship of Democratic Platform Committee; another is sought

Senator Robert F. Wagner (D-NY), two-time chairman of the platform-making Resolutions committee at Democratic National Conventions, has declined the job again and party leaders were reported today to have offered it to a prominent House member.

The Democratic National Committee expects to announce the name of the new chairman before the weekend. That will permit appointment of a subcommittee which will assemble in Chicago before July 17, hold hearings, and put up a scaffolding for erection of the 1944 national party platform.

The subcommittee will have no power to act. The convention itself, which begins July 19, must create the resolutions and other major committees.

Scrap may develop

It will be in the Credentials Committee that a scrap may develop over seating fourth-term or anti-fourth-term delegates from some order of business will have to pass on Southern demands for the restoration of a rule that a two-third vote is necessary to nominate.

One reason Wagner turned down the resolutions chairmanship is that he is attending an international monetary conference at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire. The conference will probably overlap the Democratic candidate picking.

Except for the Democrats’ planning, the Fourth of July was largely a holiday politically. New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey, the Republican presidential nominee, took things easy.

George renominated

In Georgia, a quiet Democratic primary was marked by the efforts of Negroes to vote. They were refused permission, but their efforts laid the basis for a court test.

Senator Walter F. George easily won renomination. Rep. Cox of Georgia’s 2nd Congressional district, a critic of the Federal Communications Commission, was apparently headed for return to the House and Reps. Peterson of the 1st district and Gibson of the 8th district held commanding leads over their opponents.

In Mississippi, Rep. John E. Rankin held a strong lead in the state’s 1st district congressional race, heading his opponents by about eight to one. Rep. Whitten held a three-to-one lead in the 2nd district while Rep. Abernathy held a lead of about 4,000–300 in the 4th district with half the precincts counted.

[NormanStewart]

FDR overseas trip called conjecture

Washington (AP) –
Presidential Secretary Stephen Early today characterized as “pure speculation” published conjecture that President Roosevelt may be planning another overseas trip which might lead to his acceptance of a fourth-term nomination from abroad.

Some of Mr. Roosevelt’s recent news conference comment has given rise to speculation on another foreign trip but in each instance, the President has accompanied his remarks with laughter or gestures which left reporters unable to decide whether he was teasing them or dropping a hint.

[NormanStewart]

The Free Lance-Star (July 6, 1944)

Dewey criticized by South Carolina Governor

Anderson, South Carolina (AP) –
Governor Olin D. Johnston of South Carolina criticized Governor Thomas E. Dewey last night for Dewey’s attendance at what Johnson termed “a Negro drinking party.”

In a radio address at Anderson, Johnston declared:

If additional proof is needed that South Carolinians should remain Democratic, look at the Republican presidential nominee as he attended a Negro drinking party as pictured in the issue of LIFE Magazine of July 3, 1944. President Roosevelt has never been pictured at a Negro liquor party.

In Albany, Dewey declined comment.

The pictures to which Johnston referred were those taken at a gathering of Negro newspaper publishers and editors in New York a week before the Republican National Convention.

Johnston is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate seat from South Carolina now held by Senator Ellison D. “Cotton Ed” Smith.

Neither picture showed Dewey drinking or with a drink in his hand.

[NormanStewart]

McCormack to be platform writer

Washington (AP) –
House Majority Leader McCormack (D-MA) was reported to be the choice to head the Resolutions Subcommittee that will write the Democratic Party platform.

His selection is expected to be announced late today by the Democratic National Committee, along with the rest of the subcommittee memberships. As head of the subcommittee, McCormack would be in line for chairmanship of the full Resolutions Committee at the convention opening July 19 in Chicago.

McCormack, now in Massachusetts, is expected to get the subcommittee together in Chicago a few days before the convention opens for preliminary work on the platform.

[NormanStewart]

Republicans seek Willkie support

Backing is sought by campaigners for Governor Dewey; weeks approached

Albany, New York (AP) –
An oblique effort to draw Wendell L. Willie into camp moved forward today as supporters of Governor Thomas E. Dewey bid publicly for campaign cooperation from Congressional and senatorial candidates.

Although the GOP presidential nominee carefully avoided any appearance of soliciting Willkie’s backing, he gave the strategy left-handed approval by including Senator Sinclair Weeks, longtime Willkie enthusiast, in a list of Massachusetts Republicans invited to confer with him here Monday on campaign plans.

Headed by House Majority Leader Joseph Martin, the list of Massachusetts visitors includes Congressmen seeking reelection and candidates such as Governor Leverett Saltonstall. The latter is running from the seat vacated by Senator Henry Cabot Lodge Jr., when he went into the Army and filled temporarily by Weeks. Weeks is not a candidate.

Cake is chosen

Dewey insisted there was no significance in the Weeks invitation, but in New York, National Chairman Herbert Brownell Jr. capped this move by naming both Weeks and Ralph Cake of Oregon on a 15-member executive committee. Cake was Willkie’s campaign manager before the latter quit the presidential race after the April Wisconsin primary.

Appraised of this action, Weeks said both he and Clarke had told Governor Dewey they would do anything they could to help him win the election.

Sprague heads group

The executive group named by Brownell is headed by New York National Committeeman J. Russell Sprague, who is generally regarded as Dewey’s No. 1 strategist and is one of the few of the inner circle of Dewey advisers who has maintained cordial relations with Willkie.

Other executive committee members include Mrs. Worthington Scranton of Pennsylvania, Mrs. Reeve Schley of New Jersey, Mrs. Robert F. Archibald Jr. of Colorado, Clarence J. Brown of Ohio, Mrs. Chris Carlson of Minnesota, Col. R. B. Creager of Texas, Harry Darby of Kansas, Mrs. W. P. Few of North Carolina, Harvey Jewett Jr. of South Dakota, Barak T. Mattingly of Missouri, Carroll Reece of Tennessee and Mrs. Jessie Williamson of California.

[NormanStewart]

The Pittsburgh Press (July 7, 1944)

Keynoter’s son not impressed

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (UP) –
Governor Robert S. Kerr said today he hoped the Democratic delegates to the National Convention would appreciate his keynote address more than his six-year-old son, Billy.

Mr. Kerr quoted this exchange of questions and answers after he had read part of his address to Billy:

“How many pages to your keynote speech?”
“About 20.”

“How many did you read to me?”
“Three.”

“Do I have to go to the convention?”
“No, son, you don’t.”

Mr. Kerr said he had whittled another two and a half minutes off the keynote address, to be delivered July 19 in Chicago, but said it was “still five minutes too long.” He refused to estimate length of the address in minutes.

[NormanStewart]

Editorial: Young Harry at the front

Governor Dewey, with his “accent on youth,” spoke in his acceptance speech of “stubborn men, grown old and tired and quarrelsome in office” at Washington. There are such.

But we cite you one old man in office who is neither tired nor quarrelsome, and only stubborn about things that involve principle.

Henry L. Stimson, the Secretary of War, will be 77 come September. He has just flown to Italy and is now inspecting our troops there.

He is a Republican. Over some protest from fellow Republicans, he took a hard job in his old age. He has served in a statesmanlike manner, without partisanship.

We wish him a safe return from the front.

[NormanStewart]

Heath: Candidate Dewey will pick out his own issues

By S. Burton Heath

S. Burton Heath is substituting for Peter Edson, regular conductor of the Washington Column, who is absent from Washington for a few days.

Washington –
Political oratory is tricky stuff. It is designed to sound like a lot but say as little as possible. Its purpose is to enthuse party workers, give slogans to supporters, create doubt and discontent among opponents, and provide a minimum of ammunition for the enemy’s counterattacks.

Speakers at the Republican convention from Keynoter Warren to Governor Dewey followed the pattern. They secreted their nuggets of wisdom carefully in long strings of pretty words. Yet nuggets were there – if not wisdom, at least of information for those who were curious what Candidate Dewey would try to make the issues of the coming campaign.

In sifting the wheat from the chaff, it is helpful to bear in mind that, unlike Alf Landon in 1936, Tom Dewey is not going to let others dictate his strategy and select his issues. There having been no meeting of minds in advance, one should not seek clues to the issues in what was said by Herbert Hoover or Clare Luce or Joe Martin or even by John Bricker, who in the interest of party unity was given the vice-presidential nomination.

Of the speakers in Chicago, three have long been in close accord in their political philosophies. It is safe to say that what Governors Warren and Griswold said comes close to what Mr. Dewey thinks. If you will analyze the speeches, they will fall into two quite dissimilar groups – those of Messrs. Warren, Griswold and Dewey in one, all the rest in another. The first may be assumed to forecast the general tenor of the campaign.

One-man government

If that is so, you won’t hear much about New Deal totalitarianism in terms of European ideology. You will hear a lot about one-man government (New Deal) versus the teamwork that would be substituted by Mr. Dewey.

You will hear a lot about the vigorous, forward-looking mental youth that the GOP wants to substitute for an administration that “has grown tired, complacent and cynical… quarrelsome… decadent” – beset with squabbles among Cabinet members, feuds among department heads, bitterness between the President and his own party leaders – “wrangling, bungling and confusion.”

For this Mr. Dewey will propose to substitute a Cabinet made up of the ablest experts he can find, in the various fields, to whom he will promise to delegate full powers under his general leadership.

You will be told that when 11 million men and women are mustered out of uniform they will want real jobs, not charity or made work. That the nation’s economic history up to the moment war created an artificial prosperity will be cited to demonstrate Mr. Dewey’s contention that northing yet down in 11 years of the New Deal indicated the incumbent administration’s ability to create work and opportunity for the use of individual initiative.

No secrets

The Republicans will seek to keep the war out of the campaign. There will be no question whether we should be in, and fully agreement that we must not only whip Axis armies and navies but wholly destroy the will of the Axis peoples to fight wars.

Insofar as international relations are brought in by the Republicans, it will probably be through accusations that the President is playing power politics, which have failed in the past to preserve peace and, in the opinion of many, have led to war.

The Republicans can be expected to inquire what commitments the President may have made, other than purely military, to Messrs. Churchill and Stalin and Chiang, and to promise that if Mr. Dewey is elected, there won’t be any secrets from the people, and from Congress about what they are being let in for.

These are generalizations, of course. They are like the main topic-headings, in Roman numerals, with which the material is subdivided before even the broad detail is filled in. They are subject to change. But, in the main, you will find them fairly accurate.

[NormanStewart]

Stokes: Wooing Willkie among Dewey’s chief projects

Candidate disregards personal feelings
By Thomas L. Stokes, Scripps-Howard staff writer

Albany, New York –
The wooing of Wendell Willkie has become a major project with Governor Thomas E. Dewey and the managers of his campaign for the Presidency.

Just what is Mr. Willkie’s political value to the Republican Party, measured in influence and votes, is a matter for argument. But the Dewey forces would rather have him on their side, plugging for the ticket, than outside, either in a passive or an actively belligerent role.

Governor Dewey is trying to become President and he’s going about it in a very businesslike manner, without emotion, and without regard for personal feelings. It’s no secret that the two men don’t care much for each other, which is not unusual between politicians who are rivals for public favor.

Score about even

The 1940 candidate got quite a shoving around at Chicago, or rather he was just locked out coldly, but he did a little shoving around on his own when he issued his rather caustic statement about the foreign affairs plank in the platform. The party and Mr. Willkie are about even now.

But Governor Dewey, since his nomination, has made several gestures in Mr. Willkie’s direction which are plain enough in their intent. At his first press conference in Chicago, he announced that he expected to consult Mr. Willkie along with other party leaders about his campaign. And now two of the Willkie satellites, National Committeeman Ralph H. Cake of Oregon, his pre-convention campaign manager, and Sinclair Weeks of Massachusetts have been included on the newly-appointed executive committee selected by Governor Dewey and National Chairman Herbert Brownell Jr.

Willkie’s future in doubt

Mr. Weeks, likewise, was among the first invited here to confer with the candidate, as a member of the Massachusetts Congressional delegation which will see Governor Dewey here Monday. Indirect overtures through go-betweens are also now going on.

Involved basically in Mr. Willkie’s decision as to his course is whether he wants to continue in politics. This raises another question: What is Mr. Willkie’s political future? Some count him out as far as actual public office is concerned. Some think he may yet come into his own. Most agree that he is likely to keep his hand in.

Whatever are his political prospects, it also seems agreed that he probably would improve his positions with the politicians by getting into the game actively, that is, by seeking some public office below the Presidency. If he should be successful, he would have an advantageous position from which to try to advance himself to his heart’s desire, the Presidency.

May run for Senate

There is a good deal of talk about the possibility of him seeking the Republican nomination for the Senate from New York to run against Senator Robert Wagner in November.

This would offer an avenue of rapprochement with Governor Dewey and the party, and his presence on the ticket might help Republicans to swing this state against Mr. Roosevelt, with Mr. Willkie’s appeal to liberals Republicans, some Democrats, and to left-wing elements, particularly on the score of foreign policy.

Mr. Willkie has made his fight on principle on the question of international collaboration. For that reason, he attacked the platform plank. But that plank, in the end, will mean what Governor Dewey says it means, and if he satisfies Mr. Willkie, this would clear the way for the latter’s acceptance of the ticket and its program, foreign and domestic.

[NormanStewart]

Democrats map work on platform

Subcommittee named; women included

Washington (UP) –
The Democrats were ready to begin spade work on their proposed “thumbnail” platform today with appointment of a 23-member Platform Subcommittee headed jointly by House Democratic Leader John W. McCormack (D-MA) and Rep. Mary J. Norton (D-NJ).

The appointments were made by Chairman Robert E. Hannegan of the Democratic National Committee. He said that the group would start immediately to formulate tentative planks for submittal to the full committee, which will be named after the convention opens July 19. The subcommittee will meet in Chicago two days before the convention gets underway.

Women to have big voice

Women will be given a big voice in drafting the platform. Eleven were appointed to the subcommittee. Those named:

• Senators Robert F. Wagner (D-NY), Carl A. Hatch (D-NM), Joseph O’Mahoney (D-WY), Harry S. Truman (D-MO), Claude Pepper (D-FL), Theodore F. Green (D-RI) and James M. Tunnell (D-DE).

• Reps. McCormack, Norton, Thomas D’Alesandro Jr. (D-MD), George J. Burke (D-MI) and Ed W. Izac (D-CA).

• Doris I. Byrne of New York, Mrs. W. T. Bost of North Carolina, Mrs. Albert E. Hill of Tennessee, Mrs. Scott Stewart of Utah, Mrs. Lucille Stewart of Kansas, Mrs. Charles G. Ryan of Nebraska, Mrs. Nellie T. Ross of Wyoming, Mrs. Sue Ruble of Oklahoma, Mrs. Fred M. Vinson of Kentucky (wife of the economic stabilization director), Mrs. Julia Porter of California and Joseph Daniels (presidential secretary).

Platform to be short

Senator Tunnell said the platform would be “short like the Ten Commandments, with a good many ditto marks at that.”

The Democrats will require less than the 4,600 words used by the Republicans, he said, “because we have a long record platform that reaches back to the end of the Hoover era.”

He acknowledged that a brief platform would relieve his party from spelling out a stand on racial issues which might antagonize the South.

“But,” he said, “I shouldn’t pay much attention to the Republican platform in that regard. They don’t.” The GOP adopted a plank advocating a permanent Fair Employment Practices Committee.

[NormanStewart]

Dewey confers with Congressmen

Seeks views of Republican leaders

Albany, New York (UP) –
Governor Thomas E. Dewey began a series of conferences with Republican Congressional leaders today to discuss the issues of his campaign for the Presidency.

The Governor said he plans to obtain the views of as many Republican Congressmen as possible and, at the same time, offer his own ideas on important problems facing the country.

Mr. Dewey talked with Senator Arthur Vandenberg (R-MI) on foreign policy for two hours at the Executive Mansion last night, indicating that international affairs will play an important part in his drive to oust the Democratic administration in Washington.

Ten-word policy

Mr. Vandenberg, Republican expert on foreign policy, said he and the Governor were in complete accord and that the GOP position could be stated in 10 words: “We intend to preserve America and cooperate with the world.”

The Michigan Senator, second Republican Congressman to talk with Mr. Dewey, said the Governor’s acceptance speech “went over big in the Midwest” and predicted his election in November. He said Mr. Dewey was sure of 300 of the 531 electoral votes, but declined to explain how he arrived at that figure.

More conferences scheduled

Mr. Dewey will hold one more conference with Congressional representatives today before leaving for a weekend visit to his Pawling, New York, farm. Senators Warren R. Austin and George D. Aiken and Rep. Charles A. Plumley (R-VT) will lunch with Mr. Dewey. They will discuss campaign issues.

Mr. Dewey will resume conferences with Republican Congressional representatives Monday, when the Massachusetts delegation, including House Minority Leader Joseph W. Martin and Governor Leverett Saltonstall (a candidate for the U.S. Senate), visit him.

[NormanStewart]

Is Dewey strong opponent? President declines to say

Mr. Roosevelt also refuses to answer query whether he’s found a running mate

Washington (UP) –
President Roosevelt was peppered with political questions at his news conference today, but wouldn’t give any information.

He said the answers probably would be evident sometime around next November – or maybe this month (the Democratic Convention meets July 19).

Meeting with reporters for the first time since the Republican Party nominated New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey for President, Mr. Roosevelt faced a barrage of political questions.

“Have you found a candidate for Vice President yet?” he was asked. This, the President said, sounded like an unfriendly question. He smiled, declined to answer it.

Not writing platform

Another reporter wanted to know what views Mr. Roosevelt, “as head of the Democratic Party,” had about the 1944 party platform. The President replied that he was not writing any platforms.

The question “Would you care to say whether you think Governor Dewey will be a strong opponent?” produced a roar of laughter in which Mr. Roosevelt joined.

Instead of answering, he said he was making notes for history on the procedure and methods of White House correspondents.

“Do you mean you don’t want to answer the question?” the reporter persisted. The President shook his head, chiding the reporter, a woman, for being a Pollyanna and a cheerful little girl.

[NormanStewart]

The Pittsburgh Press (July 8, 1944)

Vice Presidency still studied

Democrats completing convention plans

Washington (UP) –
Democrats were completing final plans today for their forthcoming National Convention in Chicago July 19 with the question of who should be the candidate for the Vice Presidency reportedly still undecided.

It is generally believed that President Roosevelt will be offered, and will accept, the presidential nomination and that he consequently will have the determining voice in choosing a running mate.

There has been considerable objection within the party to the renaming of Vice President Henry A. Wallace, and the names of War Mobilization Director James F. Byrnes and Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas are being prominently mentioned for the post.

Democratic National Chairman Robert E. Hannegan spent an hour with the President yesterday and was close-mouthed when he emerged. He wouldn’t even admit politics had been discussed.

It is presumed, however, that they discussed final plans for the convention.

[NormanStewart]

Editorial: Dewey and the British

Our British allies are not at all disturbed by Governor Dewey’s nomination and possible election, William Philip Simms recently reported from London. The normal American reaction to that would be: Why should they? But remembering the astonishing British statement in the spring, craving a Roosevelt fourth term, London’s second-thought wisdom is welcome.

Nothing could be more disastrous to Anglo-American friendship than London interference in an American presidential election. At first, the Churchill government did think that only Roosevelt’s reelection could guarantee American war effort and post-war international cooperation. Though it had the good sense not to publicize that absurd myth, some British citizens and journals were less discreet.

Two things, apparently, cause intelligent Britons now to observe the possibility of Mr. Dewey’s election without worry – if not with pleasure. One is the Republican attitude: The Mackinac Declaration, the vote on the Connally Resolution, and the Dewey pledges. The other is fear – born of Woodrow Wilson’s experience – of what a hostile Congress might do to a Roosevelt treaty, compared with the chance that Mr. Dewey and a friendly Congress could accomplish more.

Doubtless also the Dewey and Chicago platform praise of the present Chiefs of Staff, and emphasis on political noninterference with military conduct of the war, have clarified some muddy thinking abroad as well as here at home.

Since the blundering British cracks of some months ago, and the London government’s effective efforts to prevent repetition by any responsible spokesman, there probably has been little danger of even the appearance of English meddling in American politics. But more than meddling is involved; there is also the matter of British confidence in us,

The British have a right – as any ally – to absolute assurance that America is determined to do its full share in winning the war and winning the peace. Any doubts of that, however unfounded, could have a cruel effect on those who have fought so long and suffered so much. So for their sake, as well as outs, we are happy they understand that our basic policy is neither Democratic nor Republican but American; that no change in administration will change this policy.

[NormanStewart]

Background of news –
Senate seats for ex-Presidents?

By Bertram Benedict

Herbert Hoover, our only living ex-President, was listened to with considerable respect by the 1944 Republican National Convention. The reemergence of Mr. Hoover has reawakened proposals that former Presidents be given seats without votes in the Senate, where theirs would be the voice of experience.

Rep. Canfield (R-NJ) has introduced the bill to make former Presidents voteless members of the Senate. They would receive the same remuneration as elected members. Mr. Canfield points out:

President rate high in their ability to voice with force and accuracy the views and aspirations of a great number of their fellow-citizens. Congress is itself the nation’s sounding board of public opinion.

A precedent exists in Congress for voteless members. The House has four such – a delegate each from the Territories of Hawaii and Alaska, a resident commissioner each from the possession Puerto Rico and the Commonwealth of the Philippines. The two delegates are elected for two years, the commissioner from Puerto Rico for four years; the commissioner from the Philippines is appointed by the President of the Commonwealth. The four traditionally speak only on subjects affecting their constituencies.

Example of John Quincy Adams

Only two former Presidents of the United States have been elected to Congress. One was John Quincy Adams, who was elected to the House for nine terms beginning two years after his retirement from the Presidency and lasting until his death.

The second Adams as a member of the House fulfilled the purpose for which seats in the Senate are now sought for all ex-Presidents. Disdaining partisanship, he spoke out fearlessly on almost all topics of the day. A former Secretary of State, he became chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House.

Prof. W. E. Ford has written of him as a member of the House:

At the time of his election, no member has sat in the House who possessed such varied experience and appropriate qualities. He was familiar with the inside political history of 40 years abroad and at home… As a debater, he was listened to with respect and, when aroused, with nearly as great fear, for his integrity was unquestioned his information vast and ready… His Congressional service [was] quite the most important part of his career.

Johnson member of Senate

Andrew Johnson, leaving the White House on March 4, 1869, came close to being elected to the U.S. Senate by the Tennessee Legislature in that year. In 1872, he was defeated for election to the House, but in 1874 was sent to the Senate. He served during the brief special session of 1875, in the course of which he denounced President Grant for aspiring to a third successive term. Johnson died before the Senate met for regular session in December 1875.

Grant left the Presidency a poor man, and for a time subsisted on income from a trust fund set up for him by friends. That may have been one reason why he tried for a third term. When his trust income dwindled, he joined a brokerage firm; its failure in 1884 threw him into personal bankruptcy, and ultimately Congress had to revive for him the rank of general, with salary. His memoirs brought in large sums only after his death.

Some of our recent Presidents (Cleveland, Theodore Roosevelt, Hoover) could fall back upon private means after leaving the White House. Others, like Coolidge, found remunerative pursuits open to them. Taft became Chief Justice. In Great Britain, a retiring Prime Minister almost always remains in Parliament.