Evening star., 1927-09-23
Democrats of State, How.
ever, Have Warm Feeling
for Walsh of Montana.
NEW YORK GOVERNOR
MAY WIN BIG BACKING
Some Republicans Feel His Nom
ination May Result in Doubt
full Status.
BY &. GOULD LINCOLN.
Staff Correspondent OF The Star.

MADISON, Wis, September %
Unless all signs fail in these dry
times, Gov. Alfred L. Smith of New
York will have the delegation from
Wisconsin at the Democratic National
Convention next year--the solid dele
CATION in all probability. Three and
half years ago at Madison Square
Garden two of the Wisconsin dele
gates had been elected as McAdoo
men, and while it is said they were
for Smith they voted for McAdoo be-
cause of their instructions.
Wisconsin is wet in sentiment, and
would be wet in fact IL it could. Fur
thermore, although there is a goodly
sprinkling of dry Democrats. the ma
jority of the Democrats-who are not
many, after all-are wet. They look
upon Al Smith as the wet hope. In
addition, a large-very large-number
of the Democrats of the State are
Catholics, and they are favorable to
the nomination and election of Gov.
Smith.
Vets More Sangulne.
I talked with a prominent Demo-
crat who happens to be 'terrifically
dry. With entire frankness, this dry
tion would be for Smith. He added.
however. that he himself would not
vote for Smith, either for the nomina-
ton or in the general election. And,
in his opinion, Smith could not carry
the State of Wisconsin against any
probable Republican candidate for the
presidency. He believes that the de-
sertions of dry Democrats and the
opposition of Protestants to a Cath
olic for President, plus the fact that
Wisconsin is overwhelmingly Repub-
lican, would prevent Smith from win
ming the electoral vote of this State.
The wet Democrats here, however.
are much more sanguine; they are will.
ing to conceded the election to Smith
without a quiver. They talk not alone
of the wet support that Smith will get
here but also Of the support by pro.
gressives because of the progressive
government which Coy. Smith has
given New York.
Progressive Republicans and stall
warts alike say that Smith, If nomi.
mated. would roll up big vote in Wis.
consin. Some of the Progressives say
that the State might almost be placed
in the doubtful column with Smith
heading the Democratic ticket, espe.
cially If President Coolidge should be
gressives do not like Mr.. Coolidge.
In a straight party vote Wisconsin
has not gone Democratic in a national
election since the late John l.. Sulli.
van was baby. In the Bull Moose
split in 1912, with La Toilette hating
both Roosevelt and Taft, the State did
go for Wilson. But four years later,
when Hughes ran against Wilson and
other Western States were falling into
the Wilson column, Wisconsin voted
for Hughes. In 1920 it voted for Hard
ing and in 1924 for the late Senator
La Toilette, on an independent ticket.
The fact that the State could swing
over to an Independent ticket four
years ago gives some of the Demo.
Gratis hope that the voters are inde.
pendent enough to change from the
Republican to the Democratic ticket
next year il Smith be nominated.
Move for Walsh.
There is movement in prospect for
the election of Wisconsin delegation
to the Democratic national convention
favoring Senator Thomas j. Walsh Of
Montana for the presidential nomina.
ton. 1t is sponsored by dry Demo
Gratis, who are anxious to head off
Smith. They point out that Walsh is
q SdtuOliC do well dS 0fHltIl, anu LHdC
he should be acceptable to the Catho.
lie voters of the State and country.
In other words, they believe that the
nomination of Walsh would satisfy the
Catholic Democrats and at the same
time the drys; that Walsh would have
both the South and the West back Of
him in the convention and later in the
election. They say that Senator
Walsh would be strong in the West
because he is of the West, because he
is dry and progressive and that if a
Catholic is to be supported by the
South, Walsh would more easily have
that support. At the same time the
Catholic Democrats of the East should
be placated by Walsh nomination.
Whether Senator Walsh will permit
his name to be used, particularly in
where Gov. Smith Is sure
to be placed before the voters at the
primary next April. is not known.
But his friends here are anxious to
try it out, and they believe that they
would give the Smith people a run
for their money and that they might
beat them. Nevertheless, the chances
are for Smith delegation from Wis.
consin. Senator Walsh is graduate
has a sister living here.
State Is Wet.
The vets in Wisconsin point to the
fact that year ago the State went
wet in a referendum vote. They
point, too. to the fact that the Legis-
lature this year passed the so-called
Duncan bill, which sought to have the
State dry law changed so as to per-
NIT rs per cent beer. The measure
passed both houses and was vetoed by
Gov. Zimmerman. The governor is
charged with having talked wet in
wet communities last year when he
vas up for gubernatorial nomination.
and his opponents believe that he in.
iured himself by his veto of the Dun
IAN bill. However, he was acceptable
1 year ago to the ,Anti-Saloon League,
and doubtless will have the leagues
support again next year IL he seeks
o succeed himself as governor.
But wet as the State is, AL Smith
would have a rough time carrying IL
or President. There Is a big Luz
heran population hailing from the
countries. Many Of
hese people are wet, but they would
not support a Catholic. Some of the
in the State are
and so are the Poles and
he Irish-Americans. But there seems
title doubt but what the religious
ssue would make 1t hard for Smith
iere.
Much as the La Toilette Progressive
eaders may dislike the next nominee
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