Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1923-07-12
Presidential Possibilities
and Impossibilities
VII-Samuel NJ. Ralston.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

United States Senator Samuel M.
Ralston of Indiana is the first dark
horse Of the democratic presidential
race. He Is hardly as well known as
the other democratic aspirants, but
it is surprising to find politicians of
the old school and the new school
saying that If the convention Is dead
locked Ralston OF Indiana would be
likely compromise candidate.
Mr. Ralston Is dry" That's why
Tom Taggart, the democratic boss of
Indiana, did not warm up to Gov. AL
Smith when the latter visited French
Lick Springs, Ind, recently. How
could Mr.. Taggart show any fondness
for Al Smith, when he had a favorite
son to boost? 1t isn't that Tom Tag
CART is dry" He feels that as long
as Indiana has a chance to win the
nomination for the presidency it is up
to him to play the dry side.
Ralston Lacks Enemies.
Senator Ralston's strength is his
lack of enemies. He has not been
identified prominently with any of the
factions in the party but has simply
been good democrat. Any man who
can defeat former Senator Albert
Beveridge is entitled to consideration
in the democratic ranks. Certainly
if Mr.. Beveridge had won he would
have been an important contender in
can carry Indiana by 10000 votes for
the democrats nowadays is bound to
be factor in American politics.
The record of Samuel Ralston Is a
striking one. He was governor of
Indiana from 1913 to 1916. inclusive,
II, t.1
by reclamation in a state convention
as the party candidate for Secretary
of State.
Mr.. Ralston Is one of the leading
lawyers of Indiana. As governor of
the state, he made record for
economy. A debt of more than a mil
lion dollars was paid off and a COM
Portable balance left in the treasury.
During his term of office the Indiana
legislature enacted the public service
commission law which was written
after careful study of the public
utility laws of other states. He
brought about the appointment Of
commission to study the tax situation
in Indiana and some of the informa-
ton developed by that commission
was used by the republicans to revise
the tax law in 1919. Indiana voters
was faithful to their interests. They
look upon him as safe and sane"
Not Spectacular Individual.
Senator Ralston is not a spectacular
individual but has held to an even
course throughout his state admins
tratior. His popularity in Indiana
is partly due to the fact that he never
las been politically self-seeklng. He
is easy to meet, a kindly, friendly
gentleman. 1t is not without some
effort that the democrats persuaded
Nr. Ralston to become their candidate
for the Senate in 1922. He had held
i;nS:-if in the background. yielding at
The last moment only because 1t ap
peared to be his party's wish. He
has been trying to discourage the eff
forts of his friends to put him in the
presidential race. If he gets into II,
the initiative will not have been his
in any sense.
BY some Mr.. Ralston is regarded as
too aged to go to the White House.
He is sixty-sx years old. His friends
are saying, however, that grand
old man" at this time would be a sal
utary thing for America. NJ Clemen-
ceau did his best work after sixty
years of age. Mr.. Ralston's strength
in Indiana is an asset which the dem
ocrats will not be inclined to over
look. Certainly if he does not win