The Pittsburgh Press (October 13, 1944)
Ferguson: A good Congress
By Mrs. Walter Ferguson
With commendable fervor, members of the League of Women Voters are devoting their efforts from now until November to Congressional races.
The women of this organization, most of whom are well informed politically, believe that Congress runs the country. The men we send to Washington as our legislators will have together more power to shape the future than either Mr. Roosevelt or Mr. Dewey.
Unfortunately, for 11 years the emphasis has been on the executive branch of the government. there was a period when Congress appeared about to abdicate. It seemed possible that the American people might decide to trust one man and his appointees with the full responsibility of national affairs.
At the moment, the presidential candidates monopolize the headlines. Yet our country’s fate rests neither with Mr. Roosevelt nor Mr. Dewey. It rests perhaps with the men we send from local districts to Washington.
The country is sharply divided on issues. If you’re willing to hear both sides you cannot honestly assert that sincerity and high purpose is the sole possession of either. Instead, you realize that the majority of Democrats and Republicans stand on their convictions. Both are sure this election will be a fateful one. New Dealers feel truly that without their head man, international matters will suffer. But then, quite as truly, Republicans believe the same thing about their head man.
Let us then concede sincerity to our political enemies, and vote our own convictions, remembering always that the main job is to get a good Congress, because without one neither Mr. Roosevelt nor Mr. Dewey can accomplish much.