Evening star., 1923-02-21
Politics at Large
BY N. O. MESSENGER.

circles in connection with the demo-
cratic presidential nomination. From
the middle west come reports of prop
aganda in his behalf of a character
that does not warrant dismissal of
his possible candidacy lightly. At the
Capitol it is said that former Presi-
dent Woodrow Wilson is very favor
able to him. the only qualification
being his geographical location.
John w. Davis of West Virginia is
also said to be held in high esteem
by Mr.. Wilson, but with a like limi-
tation geographically. Democratic
leaders, many of them. are disposed
10 mold that on account of the appre-
hended closeness of the next presi-
Dental contest the nominee should
come from one of the great pivotal
states.
Republican politicians in Congress
declare that if the shipping bill is
flibustered to death at this session
OF Congress, the restoration of the
American merchant marine is likely
to be a leading issue in the next
campaign. On a test vote on the
passage of the bill, Minority Leader
Underwood predicts that thirty-flve
of the thirty-seven democratic sena-
tors Will vote against the bill. That
action would be classed as official
declaration by the democrats that
they oppose the upbuilding of the
merchant marine by means of a
subsidy. The regular republicans
in the Senate will vote for the bill,
leaving the radical progressives to
vote the other way. Thus party lines
Will be marked.
In is held NV rapnbltcans tbat should
the bill fail the plight of the mer-
chant marine will become SO pitiable
as to attract the attention of the
whole country between now and the
coming on of the presidential cleo
tion and that reaction in favor of up
building the merchant marine will
assuredly set in and create a politi-
cal issue.
With Congress on vacation until
next December. with President Hard
ing recuperating in the south and
later possibly on a trip to Alaska,
affairs Of state and administration
are likely to give way to renewed
days approach there will be gossip
a-plenty.
1t is a cold day when the summer
does bring a flood of dog-day politi-
cal suggestions on candidates. and
policies from the sublime to the ridic-
ulous. Well, let's have 'em when the
season sets in.
Gov AL. Smith of New York says
"shoo-fiy' TO the presidential bee his
friends are trying to set buzzing. He
declares he is too busy a-governing TO
bother with presidential politics, but
AID -t.ata
say that's all in your eye and that
the young governor could be detected
blushing If you inspected him closely
when he denies the soft impeachment" |
OF his possible candidacy.
Democrats from the west and south
who think the sectarian question so Sc
rious as to disqualify Gov. Smith as a
presidential candidate aver that Boss
Murphy Of Tammany Hall is trying to
build up a sentiment for Gov. Smith
merely for trading purposes"-thati is to
say. to create a bloc of delegates, con-
trolled by Tammany, Which could be
swung to some other candidate for
value received in political assets.
Never forget that with the leading
spirits in that powerful organization it
is 'Tammany uber allies"
xx*
They do say that some of the repub-
licans are growing lukewarm on the
considered. Of holding the next republi-
can national convention, in San Fran
cisco, because 1T would give Senator
Hiram johnson too much prestige if he
decides to be a candidate: and with his
state going wild over him the conven-
tion might be psychologically swayed.
That is very complimentary to the
California senator. of course, but 1t
sounds rather spiteful If it is true.
Other republicans say that holding the
convention at the Golden Gate would
make it pretty expensive to transport
the colored delegates from the south.
1t was observed by democrats at the
democratic national convention in San
Francisco that a higher personnel
among delegations had resulted from
the cost of travel, and that from the
east and south many men of affairs in
their states had replaced the former
perennial politicians making up some
delegations.
The newspaper men who went to the
last San Francisco convention are solidly
in favor of the republicans taking their
national convention to the same spot.
The climate certainly was a Gfesaver to
these workers, and if the prolonged
convention had been held in some city
subject to great extremes of heat they
would have been 'tplumb worn OUT be-
fore 1t was over. The most ideal con-
vential hall the country affords is in
San Francisco. and the citizens were
the soul Of hospitality and considera-
ton.
r i: ~
Talk of opposition to President
Harding's denomination. which had a
spurt a short time ago, has again
died down. 1t swings like a pendulum,
and very little is required to start it.
The best judgment of the republican
managers is that no movement will
gain sufficient headway to menace the
party's solidarity, for that is what
they think would result if a contest
for the nomination should be brought |
X X *
Democratic politicians are wonder !
ing if the south will be soIidified in !
support Of any particular candidate |
or whether the delegations will divide !
their support among several at the |
outset. Complimentary votes no doubt |
will be cast on the first few ballots, |
but the south will be looking for a !
the polls, and Friendship ceases"
when that stage of the balloting is |
reached.
Mr.. McAdoo is recognized as having |
potential following among labor |
unions, but that very fact is operat- |
ing to his disadvantage among many |
conservative democrats high in the |
councils Of the party. They do not |
view with equanimity the prospect Of !
possible supremacy OF any particular |
government.
The democratic party will unques-
tionably adopt q very radical plat |