Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-11-05
Calm Settles Over
Texas Before Storm
OF Ballots Breaks

confidence. predict he will fail to
receive a majority mt all. Many OBJ
servers believe II will fall consider
ably short Of the usual democratic
majority so nonchalantly reported
in former years. First nomination
for president by a major political
party of "A Catholic. who is also a
wet, injected new elements in Texas
presidential politics and observers
have been perplexed in attempting
to assay the im5roglio. That there is
a revolt against the standard bearer
is not denied, but its extent will not
be revealed until the ballots are
counted.
Notable events OF the unusual po-
litical year have included departure
from leadership in the regular state
democratic organization of Thomas
b. Love and Marshall Hicks, long
powerful in national affairs of the
party. the holding Of a national CON
vcntion for the first time within the
borders Of the state. split in the
party after the nomination of Gov
ernor Smith, and defeat for renom-
nation of the last office holders
elected in the hey day Of the Ku kluN
Khan. United States Senator Earle II.
Mayfield.
Love. Moody Split
For the frs thine in a quarter en-
fury. Hicks this year was not includ-
ed in Texas delegation TO the ma
tional convention.
Selection OF Texas forty delegates
to the national convention was the
first dish served up for the delecta-
ton of those enjoying their politics.
An interesting angle for this phase
OF the campaign was the break be-
tween Governor Dan Moody and Tom
Love, destining 10 have an important
bearing on future events. 10 occur
red after Moody's address at a meet
ing in Dallas, where were present a
number of irrecOncilable opponents
Of the New York governor who made
addresses bitterly as~sailaing Smith.
in contrast to the more moderate at
titgde az the governor. On Moody's
return TO Austin, he issued a state
ment dcnouncing Love and character
izing the l~atter's efforts as base and
insincere." This led to an open break
between them and eventually the two
led opposing factions at the state
convention al Beaumont. Friends of
the governor charged the Dallas
meeting had been arranged 10 en-
barrass him. Today. Love is sup
porting the republican nominee while
Moody has announced his loyalty to
the democratic ticket.
The Love and Moody factions were
expected to fight il out for Texas
40 delegates when the state conven-
tion assembled at Beaumont. but
when the county delegates assembled
il became evident that the New York
governor had considerable support.
The struggle thus became a three
%cornered fray, with no one side hold
Ing a majority. This situation gave
rise to one Of the most dramatic in
cidents of the year. when Governor
Moody interrupted n roll call to
plead for the defeat Of a resolution
he feared might jcopardiEe fulfill
nent Of the mandate imposed at
county conventions and possibly lead
10 Texas votes going TO Smith. The
I plea had its effect, and the resolu-
ton was defeated.
Love Quits Race
Assisted by the Smith forces,
Moody and his adhercnts gained con
troll. and TO the young GOVERNOR fell
the honor Of heading Texas delega-
ton to the national convention.
Love. one Of the Immortal forty
who held out for Woodrow Wilson
NJ Baltimore in 1912 until success
crowned their efforts was swept
aside for another leader.
Then came the democratic national
convention ut Houston where Moody
made his memorable fight for inclu-
sion Of a strong prohibition plank in
the national platform. His efforts
failed when other dry leaders ac-
cepted n plank calling for strict en-
f~orccment. with neither praise nor
censure for the eighteenth amend
ment.
The next fight on tho years card
were the first and second primaries.
usually tho main attraction In Tex
as' political shows. Out OF the smoke
and fire engendered BY the campaign
emerged Moody an easy winner IN
the first primary. Lieutenant Cow
crnor Barry Miller won rcnomina-
ton when Senator Love withdrew
after first primary. and Congress
man Tom Connally dccisively defeat
ed United States Senator Mayfield
in their run-off CAMPAIGN.
Boilers Sat Upon
The post-primary convention IN
Dallas saw the So-callcd "boltcrs"
finally banished from the councils
of the regular democratic ~organiza-
ton. The half dozen or so anti
Smith contesting delegations were
heard, then firmly waived aside. and
the convention proceeded haamoni-
ously to endorse the national con
vcntion's nominee and platform.
This. thought the electorate. was
the end Of the show. but 500 came
the rumblings Of another battle. Il
! grew in volume until a surprised
state found itself in the throes Of
an unaccustomed late summer and
autumn strife. with the i~rreconcila-
BILE foes Of Governor Smith ranged
on the side Of Herbert Hoover and
the regular" democrats striving 20
keep the state in line.
A hot fight has been waged right
up TO election time. with both sides
bringing heavy artillery into the
fray. Besides the local leaders
ranged on one side or the other.
such notables as United States Scna-
tor Morris Sheppard, author Of the
eighteenth amendment. campaigning
for Smith. and United States Senator
William u. Borah. speaking for Hoo
yer. have Joined in the struggle.
Now il is all over. the arguments
are all in, and the weary common
wealth awaits the verdict. Whatever
the outcome. Old Man Texas, il Is
( predicted. will take the result philo-
s~ophically. Cattle. hog and sheep
prices have been good. and a. the
old man fondles the huge bankroll
he receives for his five million bales
of cotton, he seems able 20 survive
easily any shock the election nay
bring forth. IL has been a hot sum
mer. politically and otherwise. but
whitening leaves and chill breezes
from the north remind him that the