Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-25

Continued from First Page
attitude" continued Senator Reed.
which is but a repetition Of what
have for years publicly said" Here
Senator Reed ranged himself alongside
of President Wilson. his old foe, saying;
Il oppose the eighteenth amendment
on the same ground as did. President
Wilson. that is that it was an invasion
of the police powers of the State. Like
wise I voted to sustain President Will
sons veto of the VolStead law
But when the Constitution was
amended it became the supreme law
of the land. When the Volstead act
was passed. it became the statute law
and Constitution and law became bind
ing upon all citizens and public OFF,
Gals. Similarly, the duty devolved upon
the States to honestly support the Con-
stitution. The compact of the States
binds them to uphold the Constitution,
just as it entities them to its protection
and benefits.
Accordingly I resisted the attempt
to repeal the State liquor enforcement
laws of Missouri. because such repeal
would have deprived the people of the
protection of State officers and courts,
and to large extent given immunity to
the bootleggerS who infeSt and curse
many parts of the land
The Constitution and the statutes
must stand and be obeyed unless they
are changed or repealed in the manner
and form laid down by the Constitu-
ton. There should be no evasions.
There should be no attempts to accom-
plish their destruction by indirection.
In my opinion. the eighteenth
amendment will stand until and un-
less the moral forces of the Nation be-
come convinced that there is some
better way 10 deal with the liquor
problem.
My entire public life ought to make
1t unnecessary for me to say what /
now do say. that il I am elected I will
keep the oath of Office and fairly and
impartially seek to enforce the laws of
the land and defend the Constitution
against all enemies, foreign and
domestic"
In many Democratic quarters this
statement brought amazement although
Senator Reed summed UP his record
with entire accuracy. Still he has been
considered wet for so long that his
play to the anti-Smith drys in the con-
ventlon came as distinct surprise.
Robinson Asks Speed.
WlluS 1feBQ Was raising his
anti-Smith flag, another Democratic
Senator, Joe r. Robinson of Arkansas.
Democratic leader Of the Senate, arrived
In Houston and issued statement de-
claring against a long -drawn-out con-
test. Senator Caraway. his colleague.
who has been Reed-for- President man,
Joined with Robinson in this sentiment,
which said:
THE delegates from Arkansas are un-
instructed. Therefore each delegate is
entirely free to vote his convictions with
respect to candidates and platform.
These delegates, both men and won1-
en-, are representative of every business,
occupation and profession. They repre-
sent the membership of all the leading
religious denominations of the State,
and are imbued with the desire to find
just solution OF the problems that con-
front the convention.
THE Arkansas delegates join in the
sentiment that seems to prevail here
that there should be no long drawn con-
test; that the convention should per-
form its labors in a spirit Of patriotism
and concert.
The Arkansas delegates will confer
and advise together. and in due time
viii announce their position as to candi-
dates. The opinion among our delegates
seems to be general that the convention
should declare for the good faith en-
forcement Of prohibition as well as all
other laws
The Arkansas delegation is reported to
be strongly pro-Smith. Notwithstanding
the fact it is uninstructed. The delega-
ton held long caucus yesterday after
noon after its arrival here. While no
formal action was taken. 1t is said that
the sentiment expressed was In favor Of
voting for Smith, probably on the first
ballot. Furthermore, IL necessary, Ar
kansas is reported to be ready to yield
to New York when the roll of States Is
begun for placing candidates for Presi-
dent in nomination. thereby giving an
opportunity for the nomination of
Smith.
Senator Robinson'S name is being
mentioned more and more prominently
in connection with the vice presidency,
in the event AL Smith is the presidential
nominee. The Arkansas Senator al
ready Is slated to be permanent chair
man Of the Democratic national COM
mittee.
The Arkansas delegation. according
to Senator Robinson. Is to hold an
other caucus today or tomorrow, and
at that time is likely to determine
definitely just what II will do on the
first and succeeding ballots In the con-
vention. 1t is confidently predicted
here today. however. that 1t will fall
In line with Smith.
Another demand for harmony and a
brief but pleasantly conducted conven-
ton came from Jouett Shouse, former
Representative in Congress. former As
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