Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-08
THE WEEK IN POLITICS
Summary of National Developments Based on Reports
From The Stars Special Correspondents
ard Staff Writers.

nopeIui IMAM tney were before the
conventions.
Illinois and Missouri, particularly
the latter, are to be holly fought
over. In Missouri leaders In both
parties are falling into line. Liquor
and religion are the chief factors
there. too. and Smith seems to start
with an advantage on account of
the sentiment for him in Republican
st. Louis
The dyed-in -the-wool La Toilette
voters In Wisconsin will not support
either side. but both wings of the
anti-La Toilette Republicans are for
Hoover, Still the Democrats will
not let the election go by default
and hope to win.
In the wheat and corn belt the
Democrats are hopeful of winning
some votes that usually are Repub-
lican, william J. Bulow. first Dem
ocratic Governor of South Dakota.
Is a candidate for reelection and
will help the Democrats In their
effort to overturn a normal Re-
publican majority of some $4,000
Because many Nebraska Republican
farmers like the Democratic farm
plank, they are reported ready to
vote for Smith, but a good many dry
and Protestant Democrats are ex-
pected to vote for Hoover. A big
normal Republican majority must be
overcome by the Democrats Of Ne
blraSka to win Iowa and Kansas
will know they have been through a
campaign and surprises are In order.
These States, too, usually 60 Re-
publican, and the Democrats have
uphill fights there. The liquor
question appears to have thrown
Montana into the doubtful column
In the Far West spectacular cam
paigns are foreshadowed in Oregon,
California and other States. There
are indications that the rock-ribbed
Republican stronghold Of Oregon
may slide into the doubtful column
for the reasons that obtain else
where California. Hoover's home
State, is worrying the Republicans.
Colorado and Utah are called doubt
full. The Republicans seem to have
a slight advantage in Washington
The whole West Is looked upon as a
battlefield by both parties. These
States have usually gone Republican
in the past, however. and therefore
that party starts with an advantage.
1t looks as If the solid South will
stay solid. going Democratic as
usual, much as 1t will hurt many
drys and Protestant church folk to
so vote. Alabama, the home State
of Senator Hefiin. archenemy OF the
Catholic Church, is regarded as safe
~ Democratic. although some of the
Democrats are expected to remain
away from the polls. Mississippi is
reported as sure for Smith. even
the dry woman voters there promis-
ing to support him. Reports that
Florida Democrats will turn to
Hoover are not borne out by the
latest advices, although many DEM
ocratfc newspapers are lukewarm for
Smith.
In Virginia preparations are being
made to put beyond the party pale
any Democrats who fail to support
Smith. 1t Is proposed under the
State law to make them ineligible
to vote In the next Democratic State
primary. II many of them bolt the
party. the Old Dominion may be
left In the control OF the moist"
faction. and q moderate on the.
liquor question might be elected
governor next year, some observers
think.
- Il
Only q few dry Democrats are now
fighting Smith In Texas. which
seems safely Democratic as usual.
The anti-Smith sentiment in North
Carolina Is dying down. although
Senator Simmons has been tardy in
announcing support OF the Smith
Robinson ticket. The conference of
dry leaders OF the South. called by
Bishop Cannon Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church South to meet at
Asheville, Is apparently causing lit
tie interest in that State. The
Democratic revolt on the religious
issue looks rather serious In Ar
kansas. but the State is believed to
be safely Democratic.
The border States OF Kentucky
and West Virginia will see lively
battles throughout the campaign.
While West Virginia is usually Re-
publican and Kentucky usually
Democratic In national elections.
both parties have chance to
change things this year. The
liquor and religious issues are para
mount IN these States. For the
same reasons Tennessee and per-
haps Oklahoma. both usually Dem
ocratic, may later slip into the
doubtful column.