Trainman News

Senator Smith Maine Wins Bring Cheers Of Delegates

MIAMI BEACH-Jubilant cheers of the delegates to the BRT's 30th Convention here greeted the news, announced by President W. P. Kennedy, that a Democrat, Edmund S. Muskie, had won the governorship of Maine, and that Margaret Chase Smith (R) was reelected senator.

Congratulatory telegrams were sent both successful BRT-backed candidates.

Labor and liberal leaders throughout the nation took great encouragement from the facts that developed from the election --Republican majorities were cut down by a considerable percentage, as the Democrats put in their first major state official in Maine since 1934.

Significant was the drop in GOP strength which registered a 58.4 per cent vote for Senator Smith, who won the last election by a 71.4 majority in 1948.

Another source of inspiration for liberal and labor candidates came from Minnesota, where Sen. Hubert Humphrey (D) won in the primaries, scoring a 15-1 win over the total votes of his two opponents.

One of the greatest causes of the delegates' cheers was the fact that both Muskie and Smith won great victories in Maine in opposition to McCarthy-inspired opposition.

A wire to Senator Smith from President Kennedy for the delegates said that the convention "congratulates you on your great victory which we regard as a victory for labor and a liberal expanding democracy.

"We are pleased beyond expression that you will return to the Senate of the United States, where your record already testifies to your faith and militant belief in the fair play principles upon which our country was founded."

To Governor Muskie, President Kennedy wired congratulations for the delegates "on your fine victory" and extended "best wishes for a liberal and successful administration of the affairs of the great State of Maine."