South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-04-13
SMITH TO CANVASS
ENTIRE DISTRICT
Opens in South Bend Tuesday
Night at High School
Auditorium.
BY HARRY D. DARLING.
Editor Laporte Argus

Laportc. April 12-Ealph y.
Smith. democratic candidate for
congressman from the 18th Indiana
district. viii make "a thorough pre-
primary canvass Of the territory
which ne will again cover II re IS
made the opponent Of Andrew j.
Hickey. republican, who Is without
opposition for denomination.
AIR. Smith will open the campaign
at South Bend the evening OF April
18th. at the high school auditorium.
He viii follow his meeting in that
city by others which viii be sched-
~-led in other parts Of the district.
one OF the meetings viii be held in
the town OF MiIersburg. It was In
this Elkhart county town where
smith began the battle OF life that
he was united In marriage 10 the
present Mrs. Smith.
Ralph ". Smith IS rapid fire
campaigner lie puts a personality
into his speeches. "a drollery that is
inimitable. Illustrations that are
h0mely and humorous. all mbined
with an eIoqueuce that is native.
Smith believes d. hitting from the
shoulder. IN positiveness OF state
faent. IN not paiIiatinC with con-
dItiOns Ia standing squaretOed on Is
sues that are positive. This was evil
dent during his three terms as
prosecutor OF LapOrte county. He
stood for the things which are clean,
which are vital 20 the well being OF
community life. The fact that he
was fought In two Of his campaigns
by elements which were not favor
able 90 his election and his election,
Notwithstanding. made mis- powers
of leadership stand out clear and
defined.
For WIlsOnian Democracy.
Smith is going TO talk plainly at
his south Bend meeting in fact at
au OF his meetings. He is going to
take the stand on the Wilson plat
form of national democracy. He is
unqualifiedly for the League Of
Nations.
re holds that it IS the greatest
document ever pepned for the es-
adjustment OF lasting world peace.
He has no sympathy with men OF
his own faith who would take from
it. by reservation or otherwise It's
yitals. There is not d great political
written into the catalogue
IL Wilson democracy upon which he
does not stand, for which he viii
not fight. He believes in law-en-
forcement I'm legislation for the
ma asses, III woman suffrage. nOl0luE
that the wOnfen OF America have
vital interest in the institutions OF
the republic.
Ralph y. Smith became q COM
handing figure in Laporte county
politics when ne was elected prose-
cutor. His fund Of knowledge. his
comprehensive grasp Of problems.
and the ability which he applied TO
their solution. took him out OF the
ranks Of novices and made his lead
ership typical and representative.
Even though he engendered serious
opDoSition there was no faltering IN
his convictions. He proved himself
capable OF exercising deliberate
Judgment i'm the turmoil OF political
strife.
Works As He Talks. ....
And smith is an intense American.
Love Of country is i'm every fibre OF
his being. When the war broke out
and the United States was drawn in
10 the macIsttom Of conflict, he en-
tered at once upon the performance
of patriotic duty He was for
time chairman OF the county coun-
- OF defense: he spoke in city, town
and hamlet: ne was the leader In
number OF drives His son. Russell.
catching the fire Of his father, went
to "A training camp 20 prepare for
service. while Smith. ST.. was await
ing q call 10 active duty when the
armistice was declared. He worked
as ne talked Action was combined
with words.