The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-09-27
BY PAUL r.. MALLON
IIni4nh Pra.e Sfnn CorrnSanndnnh

united Press STAN correspondents
WASHINGTON, Sept. 27.-Dele-
cations uninstructed or pledged to
minor favorite sons probably will be
sent by the South to the next DEM
orcratic national convention to op-
pose the candidacy of Governor Al
Smith of New York, unless some
dry Moses rises up to rally these
wandering votes, political survey
conducted by United Press bureaus
indicates.
n Democrats of the vast region from
yhe Atlantic Ocean to the desert
sands of Nevada are centering upon
no candidate, but are smoldering
with opposition to Smith, reports
say.
Republicans Of this fundamental
ly Democratic expanse are sticking
by President Coolidge for reelection
, until they can ascertain which way
the presidential winds will blow.
Want to Follow Winner
They always like to be with the
winning candidate to protect their
patronage appointments to post
masterships and Federal positions in
those sixteen States.
If 1t becomes apparent later that
Mr.. Coolidge will not be drafted,
then Secretary Of Commerce Hoover
may fall heir to this big block of
Southern delegates, the reports in
dictate.
Hoover has won such popularity
in Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisi-
ana by his handling of flood relief
that there is considerable talk about
what will be done in these nominal
ly Democratic States If Smith AMI
Hoover should be the opposing cam
didates. Some threats have been
made that the States might go to
Hoover.
1t is generally felt, however. that
the South will remain in the Demo-
cratic column in 1923. no matter
who is nominated. Senator Fletch-
er, Democrat (Fla), for one believes
that while his own State and others
are opposed sternly to Smith, they
would vote for the New York Gov
ernor if he were the nominee. IS
n Smith Clubs Organized
y Some few Smith clubs have been
organized, one in Milledgeville, Ga,
birthplace of Smiths old political
opponent, william G. McAdoo, and
another in Charlotte, N. O., but the
only southern city of size reporting
strong Smith sentiment is New Or
leans. 1t is doubtful, however, If
Smith can obtain the Louisiana
State delegation, because outside of
New Orleans there is much anti
Smith sentiment.
McAdoo's stated withdrawal from
the race caused no great surprise
and made no change in. the situa-
ton. This regions leaders long ago
gave up hope of McAdoo's nomina-
ton and began talking of favorite
sons.
North Carolina may be pledged
to its Governor Mclean or Josephus
Daniels; Virginia to senator Carter
Glass; Arkansas to Senator Joseph
T. Robinson; Tennessee to Cover
nor Peay; Mississippi to Senator
Pat Harrison and Texas to Cover
nor Dan Moody. Two Alabama
senators, Hefin and Black, have
indicated they might line up their
State for Governor Vic Donatley of
Ohio. The remainder probably
would be uninstructed.
Reed Gets Little Backing
Senator Reed, Democrat, Missouri,
recently went through the South
and was received by the Georgia
Legislature, but he won no great
ovations. Reed is wet and the South
is fundamentally dry. That is it's
objection to Smith, although vide
spread objection also has been made
publicly on the ground that Smith
lis a Catholic. .
What the South wants is a Prot
estant, dry, progressive Democrat
to succeed McAdoo.
The next story will deal with the
Central West.