New Britain herald., 1928-09-07

more successful than = political con-
yenticn! The audience u bound to be
receptive. easily warmed up to flights
Of eratory ~ well ~ facts plainly
stated. We should say that under
such circumstances It - easier to
score heavily" as the spellbinders
usually put it, than anywhere else.
A certain amount OF care must be
exercised. however. az such speeches
usually obtain . wide circulation
through the press. 1t u more Inn
portant, In fact, to declaim with the
public in view rather than merely
for the benefit Of the gathering be-
fore the platform. Indeed, a political
speaker at a state convention Is
bound to consider the effect of his
words upon the voting public with
greater care than the effect In the
hall. Many q successful speech from
the standpoint OF the immediate
audience hearing it has been = fall
ure in the huskings and byways.
Congressman Merritt told his hear
ers nothing that they did not already
know. Hence the only reason for
mentioning the issues encompassed
in his address was for the effect
elsewhere. This explains the pains he
took. no doubt. to daily with the
thrifty manner In which the Repub-
licans have conducted the state
since Governor Holcomb's admins
tration:" how the state IL practically
out of debit" how all public affairs
in the state are 100 per cent per-
feet.
1t was in order to influence some
wavering voters on the outside
rather than the stalwarts in front Of
him that he referred to the Tam
many Tiger" and the staggering
load Of taxation in New York state.
This was by way of comparing the
lack Of such staggering load In
Connecticut. To analyze the differing
conditions between the two states
would have taken more time than
the congressman had at his disposal.
1t came natural to the speaker to
liken the efficient and economical
record of the Coolidge years with the
years Of Republican rule in Con-
necticut, and proving from this with
out dissenting voice by any of
those present that the Republican
party is the only organization cap
able of producing such a record. His
attack on democratic tariff prin-
ciples" was expected; this barrage
is becoming common throughout
New England. where Senator Curtis
has been setting the pace in tariff
discussion. 1t means that the old re-
liable arguments are to be heard
from once again despite the state
ments made by the Democratic plat
form and the acceptance speech of
Al Smith. 1t Is clear that the Re-
publicans don't intend to believe the
modified Democratic stand on the
tariff. Whether tariff talk will gain
many listeners in the face Of the In
terest achieved by the prohibition
issue, however, is a question.
Congressman Merritts views on
prohibition coincide with those of
many q Republican. in spite of the
surprise at the convention. He
said he did not agree with Hoover
as to the 18th amendment, as favor
ed its repeal. He agreed with Smith
on some of his statements on this
subject, but did not think Smith
could alter conditions. Hence in spite
of his personal attitude toward the
18th amendment he favored Hoover.
This no doubt is a prevailing attitude
among many Nutmeg Republican
leaders. The investigation promised
by. Hoover goes as far as they care
to travel At this time.