Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-30

pretty well demonstrated that the re-
volt of the dry element among the
emocrats would be very strong
against any out-and-out wet. like
Smith, who might be nominated.
Some Drys Threatening.
Prediction is made by some of the
dry Democrats that II Gov Smith
| were nominated there would be Sec
ond Democratic convention and a dry
Democrat put in the field. The drys,
1t Is pointed out, are drys before they
are party men and women, particular.
ly the latter. What the drys will do
was demonstrated in New York last
Fail. when 100000 dry Republicans
voted for an independent dry Republi-
can in order to defeat the regular
nominee of the party, Senator Wads-
worth, because he was wet. There is
no way to estimate how many dry Re-
publicans failed to go to the polls at
all. contenting themselves with that
form of registering resentment against
the wet stand taken by Senator Wads-
worth. The drys in the Democratic
party are no less stanch than the
dry Republicans, and they will make
themselves felt in the States where
they are numerous.
Prediction Is made, on the other
hand, by Senator Bruce of Maryland
that If the Democrats nominate dry
the vets in the party will split off, hold
another convention and place a wet
in nomination. 1t would seem more
reasonable to believe, however, that
the vets might go. along. even with
a dry nominee in the coming cam
paign, hoping to be so strong In 1889
that a wet candidate could not be
turned down
Groundwork Being Laid.
During the present short session the
Democrats in Congress have sought to
lay the groundwork for issues against
the Republicans in the next national
campaign. This was to be expected
Under the leadership Of Senator Reed,
chairman of the Senate campaign in
vestigatfng committee, the slush fund
issue has been laid before the country.
One Republican Senator-designate Col
Frank L. Smith of Illinois, already has
been prevented from taking the oath
Of Office. In the next Congress, which
meets in December, there will be much
more talk of Republican siush funds.
The Democrats have undertaken to
convince the country that President
Coolidge and the Republicans have
been false to their talk Of tax reduc-
ton. Senator Reed OF Missouri has
taken lead in this move also, Of
fering the Presidents own tax re-
bate proposal as an amendment to a
deficiency bill, while Republicans as
sailed the plan.
The Democrats hope to arouse the
Western farmers against the Coolidge
administration on the farm issue.
They have shown signs Of lining UP
In favor OF the McNary-Haugen farm,
relief bill. which has been ON the
black books OF the administration.
There Is q possibility now that WITH
Democratic aid the bill, with some
amendments, VIII be passed. But II
they do succeed in passing the bin,
and the President does not veto it,
they win have disposed Of the farm
problem for the President. and II will
not be an issue in the 1928 campaign.
The foreign policies of the admins
tration have been under fire by the
Democrats particularly in connection
with Mexico and Nicaragua But the
administration seems in a fair way
to get through these Latin American
troubles. and the country Is not likely
to become excited over them.
Some Issues May Be Effective.
Some Of the issues raised by the
Democrats might prove effective in
a national campaign, If the Demo
Gratis could present a candidate about
whom all factions, wet and dry,
Protestant and Catholic could unite.
Estimates of strength of the candi-
dates outside of Smith and McAdoo
vary. Senator Reed, il is generally
admitted, would make a whirlwind
campaign. He is an orator and a
fighter. He would have difficulty OBJ
tanning the nomination because some
Of the old Wilson Democrats have not
forgiven him because he did not stand
with President Wilson In the League
of Nations fight. He might run bet
ter In the West and border States
than Al Smith, but he would not be
SO strong as Smith In the Eastern
States.
Gov. Richie. wet, whose
friends hope he will be the residuary
legatee of the Smith strength, would
not make much Of g. dent on the West,
but might make a good run In the
East, the border States ana the
South. Gov. Donahey is not
widely known. IL he were nominated
as a dry Democrat. he would carry
none of the Eastern States and prob
ably few OF the Western States. On.
less there should be an unexpected
revulsion against the administration.
he would be the weakest of the three
candidates mentioned.