The Daily Alaska empire., 1928-07-02
THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET.

In selecting Gov Alfred F. Smith of New York and Senator J. T Robinson of Arkansas for it's standard bearers in the forthcoming national campaign, the Democratic Party has acted with a great deal more of wisdom and political acute ness than it eustomarily displays in it's quad rennial national gatherings. Certainly it ex- pressed in it's choice the wishes of a very large majority of the members of the party through out the country That the delegates were so quickly able to gree upon the Presidential and Vce-Presidential nominees, with a minimum of dissenson and almost bitterness of factional feeling displayed, augurs well for a united party in the Fall elections.
 Nor could the convention have selected two abler and better qualified men from almost every standpoint. Judged by their public service a period extending from the beginning of the present century they are worthy of not only the honor bestowed them by their party but of occupying the high offices for which they put forward
 Gov. Smiths services to the people of New York have stamped him as an able, fearless, forward looking and progressive executive. The record he has made is plan written into the history of the State of New York in such fashion that neither he his party need fear it can be successfully attacked by the opposing party. It has been told far and wide in recent months so that there are few persons able to read and understand the English language who un- familiar with it. AS campaigner there are few in public life today who his peers His is a forceful and compelling personality, that wins friends and followers easily and holds them fast. No Governor of New York in modern times has captured the popular imagination so completely as he. Without making any personal effort during the pre-convention campaign for the party's nomination, the magic of his name clearly established by the manner in which he swept State after State that had been counted against him. prominent Eastern Republican politician is credited with having said that if Al Smith could talk to every voter it would be impossible to defeat him for the Presidency. It will be vastly interesting to watch his progress during the coming months.
 Two questions that will be to be dis cussed during the campaign will be Gov. Smith s religion and his stand Prohibition. That the former will seriously injure his chances for eec- tion is unthinkable. All past history of the republic to indicate that the forces of religious intolerance powerless against the American traditions of far-play and religious freedom The Anti-Masons and Know Nothings futile organizations. And the Ku Klux Klan. which is now nearly so numerous as four years ago, cannot hope to be more cessful. That it will fight Gov. Smith must be recognized But it's very opposition is more like ly to add to his strength than diminish it.
 Gov. Smiths position National Prohibition has been defined so often that there can be none who ignorant of his conviction that the Volstead Act is mistake profound believer in the doctrine of State Rights, he holds that each State should be permitted to write into it's laws what it considers to be intoxicating liquor. He has not altered this opinion since he became the leading candidate for his party's nomination. Apparently his position has the sup port of liberal forces in all sections of the country and particularly in the big Eastern, in- dustrial States like New York, Pennsylvania, cost him in sections of the country prob ably will be than made up by gains in such commonwealths
 Senator Robnsons qualifications are not less notable than those of Gov. Smith. He brings to the ticket years of experience in the United States Congress rounded out leader of the Democratic minority in the Senate He is as much of a two-fsted political fighter his run ning-mate. He is equally good campaigner as the New York executive. His nomination should be sufficiently gratifying to the Southern States to prevent any serious dsanection His record the farm relief legislation during the last two sessions of Congress is one that will appeal to the farmers He not only voted fer the McNary- -Haugen measure but also voted to override the Presidents veto of that measure Probably the convention had in mind placating the Southern dry Democrats and appealing to the farmers in turning to him for second place on the national ticket. But these are not the only reasons for his selection Sheer ability en- titled him to the place. in fact would have made him not altogether unavailable candidate for the Presidency under different political condi- tions than now exist.
 The Democrats at Houston have acted like a