Should I Stay in Politics? - Page 6

Personal recollection of Hays' campaign defeats of 1928, 1930 and 1933 and career in government administration positions-6- Came 1933. Senator Robinson recommended me to the Secretary of Labor for an appointment and while applications were being considered the Congressman from my district resigned. ‘How to fill the vacancy?’ immediately engaged the attention of the politicians. In the 1932 State Democratic Convention I had put through three changes in party rules, one being to require the Central committee to order primaries for the selection of nominees in special elections. It appeared that the Committee was prepared to disregard the rule and that put me in a fighting mood. After a hard fight we secured the primary and immediately I found my friends organizing for a congressional race. I had no money. My name was still being considered for Miss Perkins for a place on her staff, and there were other reasons why I should not run, but the friends prevailed. The filing fee was $500 and this sum was raised largely by subscriptions of one dollar each. Just after I announced I received a letter from Miss Perkins inviting me to come to Washington to accept a position. I wrote a courteous note explaining that the past campaign had given my friends a claim which I could not ignore and that I felt compelled to stay in the race for Congress. A hectic campaign followed. The 1933 Legislature had finally adopted the run-off primary plan which I had advocated for several years. With three of us in the race it was apparent that a run-off would be necessary. In the first primary I lead the nearest candidate by 1600 votes but the two candidates combined on me in the run-off. It was a bitter fight. I feel quite sure I was the rightful nominee but the Central Committee certified my opponent. One county with 1651 registered voters (including over 300 Republicans who were not permitted by law to vote) reported 1838 votes for my opponent and 616 votes for me. Outside that county I had a majority of 595 and in no other county did the vote exceed 70 percent of the registration. The Supreme Court heard variou