Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1925-04-01
Politics at Large
BY n. o. MESSENGER.

Whether, Gov. Alfred E. Smiths
legislative victory at Albany will
now wait minute: do not go up in
the air and SAY, I'm the name of the
prophet, peace with your presidents
politics." for, although the country
has Just emerged FROM a national
campaign memorable In character and
result, presidential politics is peren-
NAL, and we do not get out of one
campaign before we begin to talk of
the next one.
In point of fact, the subject being
discussed most generally by Demo-
cratic national politicians at the pres
ent time is whether Gov. Smiths eX-
ploits with the Legislature have not
raised the probability that the Dem
ocratic party must face a reopening
or the religious question in the prob
able candidacy of Alfred Z. Smith for
the Democratic presidential ,nomins-
ton in 1928. To them there occurs
the apprehension that such is likely
to be the case and that they aio
facing the probability of an inter
party contest which may become ex-
ceedingly acrimonious.
r
In New York State there is an
abiding opinion that Gov. Smiths
candidacy for the United States SEN
ate meantime is likely to intervene
and which, indeed. would be a step
ping stone to presidential aspirations
IT is admitted that his victory over
the opposition in the New York Leg
islature added to his popula rity
throughout the State and forms 1T
this time a political asset OF great
n he u
to presidential prospects, it is true
that this asset would have been
greater but for his defeat for the
nomination by the last Democratic
national convention. Many politicians
say that, except for this dimming Of
his political 1uster, he would proba-
bly, be accepted as the leading Dem
ocrat OF the country and have II
long running start toward the presi-
Dental goal. His friends contend
that, in fact, he Is the leading Dem
ocrat and insist that the religious
question involved in his nomination
for the presidency must go to a finish
fight once and for all.
Democratic politicians say that,
having in view the fight for possible
success OF the Democratic party IN
the next presidential election, they
would regret the added hazard of a
religious dispute within the party
for the nomination. 1t is conceded
that Gov. Smiths candidacy would
precipitate this, and that in it's prelim-
inar1es 1t Is likely to commence at
once. FASTENED by Gov. Smiths recent
victory.
Since the adjournment of the Legis-
lature analysis of the work of the
Legislature has redounded to the
credit of Gov. Smiths handling OF the
legislative situation and to the adj
vantage Of the Democrats. Facing q
hostile Republican majority in both
the Assembly and the Senate, the
Democrats were enabled to wrest
from this unpromising situation a
certain measure of success for the
measures proposed at the opening by
Gov. Smith. The Citizens Union of
New York, which seeks to make nom
partisan comment upon the work OF
the Legislature, in it's analysis, on
the whole, gave a favorable report.
One fault which was found by its re-
port was that there was a. disposition
to play too much politics with nom
partisan proposals. This analysis did
not agree with the criticism of the
leadership in both houses in lacking
efficiency and which got more or less
free expression. The Republicans
outset that all proposals emanating
from Gov Smith had a political as
pect and should therefore be opposed
by the Republicans as a body. The
Democrats were criticized for blindiy
undressing the policies of Mayor Hy-
Ian Of New York City for partisan
purposes.
Neither party the report said,
has anything to be proud of in the
political shadow boxing in which both
uselessly INDUCED" -.
***s 49,
The report pointed out that the fact
that many OF the governors proposals
were the type Of measures to which
Republicans are additionally and his
torically devoted made their opposi-
ton appear both bone headed and
ridiculous" Nevertheless ana not
withstanding, however. the politicians
agree that Gov. Smith certainly came
out Of the contest With flying colors.
His supporters Immediately cried,
There you are: he has shown his
qualities as a great leader. He has
proved himself an able executive of
the largest State in the Union and a
past grand master OF politics. He has
proven that he is worthy to be the
leader of the national party" So the
Gossip in Republican national po-
litical circles concerns itself mainly
with discussion of the big task which
President Coolidge has before him of
getting the administration and the
party leadership in trim for the test,
which is to come when Congress re-
assemblies, of party efficiency in leg
islation. The results of this test will
involve not only President Coolidge's
leadership of his party, but the lead
ership in the Senate and the House.
1t is said that a demonstration OF
leadership can be expected very soon
after the reassembling of Congress.
4 4 \ y
Recent reports in political circles
assert that President Coolidge will
lean more heavily upon the House
than the Senate in the making of the
party record. which he must count
upon as a leading asset in the party g
appeal to the country in the next Con-
gressional election. Explaining this
expected policy, the gossips point out
that in the House OF Representatives
he will find closer party organiZa-
ton than in the Senate. In the House
the Republicans will have a majority
in fact and not merely on paper.
Moreover, in the House there will ex-
list machinery for producing results
which will not be found in the Senate.
Under the House rules it will be pos
sible to get action, If the twill for
action" exists, as is expected
If President Coolidge. working in
close party harmony with the Re-
publicans of the House, can bring leg
islative results, a violent contrast
with the Senate and its probable pol
icy of disharmony and resultant non