MUSIC WINS GOVERNORSHIP

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 September 1938, Page 11

MUSIC WINS GOVERNORSHIP

“POET AND BUSINESS MAN.”

NEW YORK, August. 1

A novel figure has arisen in American politics in the person of an obscure Texas 1 flour-salesman who is to be the next Governor of his State, having gained a sweeping victory as ‘‘poet, musician and business man.”

He defeated eleven- other candidates, two of whom w’ere endorsed, by President Roosevelt, for the Democratic nomination, which will ensure him the Governorship. This candidate, who by spectacular methods of vote-getting has wrecked all political precedent in Texas, 4s Mr. W. Lee O’Daniel, an affable business man of 46. His bizarre election methods recall the exploits of the late Huey Long. Proclaiming himself totally, disinter ested in politics. Mr. O’Daniel, ably supported by his wife, daughter, and two sons, campaigned across the length and breadth of Texas with a “hillbilly” band, and reinforced his appeal with a regular radio hour. His programme was composed of such diverse ingredients l as the .Ten Commandments, the Golden Rule and a promise to pay everyone over 65 £6 a month.

He travelled hundreds of miles a day in a motor ’bus equipped with a platform at the back, from which he expounded his unusual doctrines. Stopping in various towns, he par- j aded through the streets with a band blaring and flags -flying, flanked by his two handsome sons, with his wife and daughter singing in the background. The voters have given him a comfortable majority of 17,000, which assures him the Governorship. Mr. O’Daniel boasts that he has no hobbies. docs not play bridge, golf or i fish, but.spends all his time working j or “having fun with his family.”