New Britain herald., 1927-04-18
REPLY BY SMITH IS
 VIGOROUSLY LAUDED
(Continued from First Pagei

Governor Donahey in commenting today on the pronounccment of Gov ernor Smith of New York, on sepa- ration of church and state, declared: The happy thing about the ex- change of letters is that both Messrs. Marshall and Smith believe in the separation Of church and state, which principle alone has made the United States the most worthwhile nation in the world"
 The governor said he had gone on record for the same principle when he vetoed the Buchanan compulsory schools Bible reading bill two years ago.
 Waterbury. April IS Rt-Mayor Francis r. Guilsoie. Judge W. F.. Thoms, City Comptroller Peter Fitz- henry, and Senat or Joseph II. Law Tor. joined today in proclaiming the reply of Governor Alfred E. Smith as magnificent declaration of Amer ican principles by great American.
 Stamford Conn, April Is UP) Schuyler Merritt, president manu- facturer and republican representa- tive in congress for number of years, today commented on Cover nor Alfred l.. Smiths answer to the Marshall questions as follows:
 "Of course l do not think Gov ernor Smith should be elected presi- dent Of the United States. but for reasons totally unconnected with his religion. Governor Smiths answer IS well written and 1t covers the ground completely and satisfactorily. In fact, the history Of the United States. with two of it's chief justices Roman Catholics and with its thousands of Roman Catholic sol diers and patriots Is a complete an swer to Mir. Marshall's questions. I hope that these letters written in good faith and in . tolerant spirit. will prevent any religious issue in the next presidential campaign, whoever may be nominated. Noth- ing could be more unnecessary or unfortunate.'
 Homer s. Cummings, former Con- necticut democratic national com- mitteeman and supporter of Will liam G. McAdoo in the last con- vention declined to comment, say ing he had not read the smith an- swer,
 Editorial comment on Governor Smiths statement of his views Of state and church, as applied to a practical Catholic and an American citizen, follows:
 New York Times, independent- He has with a clear and direct hon. esty set his foot upon hideous prejudice, slimy and un-American superstition, which has been threat ening to dominate our public life. but which after this will scarcely dare to raise it's head in the open. His answers to MT. Marshall's questions are downright, explicit, categorical.
 4SeW ] OTh "Ollu, ernor Smith has declared without reservation and without qualification that the Catholic church has not made. and for him can never make, any claim whatsoever. to temporal power in the United States; that for him It's privileges, it's rights, its status and It's command over his conscience are exactly the same as those which any other church has for it's own communicants.
 Philadelphia Evening Bulletin, re- publican - Smith has rendered service to the nation by bombing the fog Of religious prejudice and in nuendo which threatened to beset next presidential campaign, and by his clean, unmistakable definitions has made it easier for men and women of all faiths to understand and to perpetuate the American ideal of separation Of church and state and freedom of religious be- lief"