National Affairs: Living Proof

“Look at me,” said the U.S. Representative-elect in a high-pitched, emotional voice. “I am a living proof of America’s democracy.” Dalip Singh Saund had good cause for his excitement: a native of India, Democrat Saund had just been elected to the House from California’s longtime-Republican 29th District in the lush Imperial Valley—where Asians have not always been happily tolerated.

Saund defeated Republican Jacqueline Cochran Odium, who was herself born in abject poverty. She rose to fame as an aviatress, and to wealth as the wife of Financier Floyd Odium and as a highly successful businesswoman (cosmetics). But during the flamboyant campaign, some voters decided that high-flying Jackie Cochran was trying to dazzle her way into public office. Others resented the fact that after years of aloofness she had become neighborly only during her campaign. “Saund,” said one, “is at least one of us. Mrs. Odium is not.”

This week, while Jackie was back at the Odium ranch, Dalip Singh Saund was happily planning to keep a heartfelt campaign promise: to go to India to show himself as a living proof of America’s democracy.