CONNECTICUT: The Bowles Question

Connecticut’s Democratic politicos puzzled over whether they had inherited a has-been or an up-&-coming martyr in Chester Bowles. While Bowles cruised in a 39-ft. yawl off the Atlantic coast with his bittermost memories of Washington and OPA, Connecticut Democrats last week worried over a more specific question: did energetic Chester Bliss Bowles intend to try to be governor of Connecticut or would he go after a seat in the U.S. Senate?

With a weather eye on the White House, amateur politician Bowles had been unmistakably tacking toward a term in the State Capitol and an opportunity to test his administrative reputation on bustling Connecticut. Professionals, who will control the state nominating convention in September, had not planned it that way.

An acceptable organization candidate for governor was already available. Lieut. Governor Wilbert Snow, poet and college professor, could be depended upon to distribute party patronage properly in the event of a Democratic victory in November. The pros thought Newcomer Bowles might learn the ropes more safely as a Senator under the watchful eye of Connecticut’s Democratic leader and senior Senator in Washington—ambitious, young (42) Brien McMahon.

Last week, while waiting for Bowles to make port and make up his mind, Senator McMahon himself passed the lofty hint that it would be a shame for Chester Bowles to waste his abilities outside of Washington. The hint would be passed to Skipper Bowles not long after his boat docked.