OHIO: Night to Howl

• Share

It was four nights before Christmas, and all through the Senate Office Building in Washington, there was merriment and song. The bell ringer of the 1948 Republican National Convention. Ohio Senator George Bender, was giving a Christmas party; a newsman recited a parody:

'Twas Bender's night before Christmas, And all through the house, Not a politician was stirring, Not even a Lausche.

When a photographer strolled in, whispering a late item of news from George Bender's home state, a colleague counseled him compassionately: "Keep it quiet. Let's not break up the party."

Ten minutes later Mrs. Clara Terry, George Bender's secretary, broke the news to Bender. Ohio's five-term Governor Frank Lausche, fabled Democratic vote-getter, had decided not to run for another term as governor of Ohio, instead had announced that day his candidacy for Bender's Senate seat. George Bender turned pale and left the room.

Said he half an hour later: "I'm not surprised. I knew all along that he would try for the Senate. There's nothing I love better than a good fight."