Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-01-05
Politics at Large
By G.. Could Lincoln.

Democratic preSluenIldl IlOHllIldIlOIl III
1928 during his inaugural address New
Year day it was scarcely surprise.
If any one doubted that Gov. Smith
was a candidate, however, his doubt
has been set at rest. 1t is true that
his announcement was to the effect he
was a receptive candidate rather than
an aggressive candidate. He an
nounced that he was, so to speak, In
the hands of his friends.
Gov. Smith Is the idol of the North
ern Democracy. 1t remains to be seen
to what extent he can gather follow
ing in the South and the West. To-
day he is the outstanding figure In the
Democratic party the country over.
Four times elected governor of the
Empire State, the party there has un-
der his leadership smote the Repub-
leans hip and thigh. Thousands of
Democrats the country over are ask
ing If he is not the Moses to lead the
party nationally out of the wilderness
which has engulfed it since 1920.
Democrats In all sections are weary
of being out of power. If they believe
they can win with Smith, even though
they do not like his wetness or the
fact that he is Catholic, they may
rally to him.
The Governor of New York has the
advantage today of having struck the
first blow. No other Democrat has
yet had the temerity to go as far as
he has in the race for the prize-the
presidential nomination. Others have
shrunk so far from admitting that
they would like to head the ticket in
1929 William Gibbs McAdoo of Cali
fornia, Georgia and intermediate sta
tions has maintained a discreet silence
regarding his plans for the future, al
though former Secretary Meredith of
the Department of Agriculture, in an
interview in New York recently, de-
clared that he was the logical candi-
date.
There are those who say that Mr..
Meredith has an idea he may be the
reSiduary legatee of the McAdoo dele
gates in the national convention If it
becomes apparent that the former
Secretary of the Treasury cannot win.
Gov. A. Vic Donahey of Ohio has in
sisted in season and out that he is
not a candidate for the Democratic
nomination, Notwithstanding the eff
forts of some of his friends to start
a boom for him at dinner given
here by Representative Martin Davey
of the Buckeye State. Senator James
A. Reed of Missouri, the great in
quisitor of the Senate, who has given
the party the sluSh fund issue against
the Republicans, also has denied he
is a candidate, though admitting that
his friends may work for him. Gov
Albert c. Richie of Maryland has
trumpeted his States rights issue
abroad, but has said nothing about
being a candidate. There are 'pos
sibilities" who continue to maintain
discreet silence regarding 1928
among them Senator Robinson of Ar
kansas, Democratic leader of the Sen
ate.
The frank admission by Gov. Smith
that he is a receptive candidate may
have the effect of Fastening other as
pirants for the nomination to declare
themselves. But whether 1t does OF
not, the governors announcement Is
a distinct challenge to the field
Moreover, it will be considered dis
tinct challenge to the dry element IN
the party. Those Democratic Sena
tors who have been willing to discuss
the statement made by the governor
now view the approaching Democratic
national convention as a contest be-
tween the vets and the drys. Out
side of wet Democratic Senators who
are strongly in favor of the nomina-
ton of Gov. Smith. like Walsh or
Massachusetts and Copeland OF New
York. there appears to be decided
feeling in the Senate that the wet
issue will do more to kill of the
candidacy of Gov. Smith than any
other issue, not excepting the religious
issue. Possibly that is because tney
themselves are drys and nave op-
served a long line of dry victories IN
the immediate past.
The dry element so far is plnnlnS
its faith either to McAdoo or TO Dona-
hey. with Meredith as the dark morse
in case neither of them is succeSslui.
One thing appears certain: Inc airy
orga niZations of the country are out
TO do their utmost to keep Wet
whether Gov. Smith, Gov. Rltcnle OF
Senator Reed, from winning the noInl'
nation. If they can so, maneuVer that
both the Democrats ana tne hepup-
licans nominate dry Candidates lol
the presidency, they Will nave accoin
plished their end. u.
In some dry quarters there is talK
of dividing the wet strength IN '.e
1t may be strategy "
hoost another wet, Senator Reed LOT
oyamnle as Senator Caraway of Ar
Kansas has recently done, for the
Get the vets fighting
among themselves and victory Tor
the drvs will be all the more certain.
A wear ago. and even later, GOV.
smith declared he did not wish TO
he a candidate for reelection as
Governor of New York or for the
Senate against Senator Wadswortn'
He desired. he said. to retire TO
private life and give attention 10 the
business of laying up competence
for his family. But he never Salu
that he would not be a candidate Tor
the presidential nomination In 1873.
Indeed. there is not the siightest
doubt that he has had the bee In
his bonnet ever since the last Demo-
cratic national convention when ne
rolled I'D a great block OF votes
and stopped Mr.. McAdoo's trlumphal
Senator Reed of Missouri has
come into his own in the Senate. lie
is the most carefully watched man
on the Democratic side of the Sen
ate and today seems to have the
greatest amount of influence among
his colleagues. He demonstrated
this only a day or two ago when ne
went into conference with them and,
by force of his arguments and his
leadership, won them over to sup
port q motion to send the creden-
tails of Col. Frank L. Smith or ILL
nois to the privileges and elections
committee IL and when Col. smith
presents himself at the door OF the
Senate for admission. Prior to the
stand taken by the Missouri
Senator the Democrats were divided
as to what should be done about
swearing in Col. Smith II he came
to take his seat under appointment