"I Have Done My Best"

In his 40-year career he had achieved a record few men in U.S. history have equaled. Almost singlehandedly he brought about abolition of "lame duck" Congresses; he was largely responsible for Nebraska's unicameral legislature, for the TVA. But now the Senate would be without him. George W. Norris, running for re-election at 81, had been defeated.

Reporters found him bewildered, heartbroken : "I have done my best to repudiate wrong and evil in governmental affairs. .. . I have utterly failed. . . . Righteousness has been crucified and the people I love have condemned the things I held most sacred. ... I have lived according to my philosophy of government and now . . . the flag of that philosophy [is] trailing in defeat. ... I accept the . . . final verdict."

George Norris was speaking from a desk piled high with letters, telegrams which said what a crying shame it was that Nebraska had seen fit to unseat Independent Norris, elect instead genial, energetic Kenneth Wherry, 50, an anti-New Deal Republican ("but no obstructionist").

From the Detroit Free Press came the words most typical of the nation's attitude: "You are wrong about that 'final verdict,' Senator Norris. There is never anything 'final' about the lives of men of your heroic mold. You say, 'God knows, I've tried to do the job.' Millions know how magnificently you succeeded."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.