Evening star., 1928-02-22
Politics at Large


ton in Illinois has developed prospects
of a knock-down drag-out fight-a
fight which may result in the rise OF
new powers in the State. Apparently
in an effort to make certain his renom-
ination and reelection to the Senate.
Col. Frank l.. Smith, recently denied a
seat by the Senate itself, has jeop-
ardized himself, Gov. Len. Small and
Mayor Big" Bill Thompson. Col.
Smith brought about the alignment of
these two leaders with himself. the
governor being candidate to succeed
himself, and the mayor intent upon
electing an unpledgcd delegation to the
Republican national convention.
In the twinkling of an eye the re-
form forces the IOWden followers and
the Deneen faction have banded to-
gether against Small. Thompson and
Smith. Those people In Illinois who
have had it Gin" for them individually
and collectively figure that at last they
have them "all in one bag" and they
intend to pull the strings together and
smother them politically II it can be
done. They have put up Secretary Of
State Emerson, who has been in office
for more than dozen years. to run
for governor. They have prevailed
upon Attorney General Carlstrom, who
intended to run for governor, to seek
reelection. and they have placed State
Senator Otis Glenn, an active cam
paigner and a great talker, in the race
for the senatorial nomination. Added
to this they are going out to fight for
Lowden delegates to the national con-
vention.
Only a few days ago there seemed
little hope of halting Small in his effort
to be reelected governor or of defeat
ing Smith for the senatorial nominal
ton. Now the opposition is full of
that with the new alignment Small
may be defeated, and Smith also. and
the colors of Mayor Thompson trailed
in the dust.
Smith was elected to the Senate in
1926, but his victory was due to the
fact that he was on the Republican
ticket and Illinois is overwhelmingly
Republican. He was running against
George Brennan, the Democratic boss
of Cook County (Chicago), a wet and
tarred with the same brush as Smith
he had received contributions from
Samuel insult. the public utility mag
nate. who was also the Smith angel in
the senatorial primary. Magill. an in
dependent Republican. put forward by
those who were incenSed because Smth,
while chairman Of the Public Utilities
Commission, had accepted large con-
trbutions to his campaign from insult
and other public utility men. received
$4,000 votes, although he had no or
ganization worthy of the name and the
regular organization and the Anti-Sa-
loon League were backing Smith.
u +
While many of the voters in Illinois
feel that Smith should have been seated
by the Senate, whether he were turned
out later or not, they are not ready TO
send him back to the Senate. 1t is said.
Not few Of the Republican voters are
glad the Senate acted as II did. Otis
Glenn is regarded as a strong opponent
of Smith. and with the aid he Will re-
ceive from Observation-Disclosures people
and those who are supporting Emerson
against Small. not to mention the De-
ncen following. he may well defeat
Smith in the primary OH April 10.
Senator Jim" Reeds swing through
the Southwest and West. regarded III
some quarters as inimical to the nomi-
nation OF Gov. Al Smith OF New York
by the Democratic national convention.
who will be reasonably favorable 10 the
New York Governor. II Reed dele
gates are chosen III several OF these
States. particularly Kansas and OKLA
homa. it would not require very long
step for these delegates 10 vote for
Smith Reed Is wet. II delegates
favorable 10 one wet are sent TO the
convention they might be expected TO
vote for another. II It became evident
that Reed could not BE- nominated.
Whatever may be said in regard 10 the
trip Of Senator Reed being antagonis'!c
10 the ambitions Of the New York Gov
ernor. it Is well understood here that
Senator Reed is not anxious TO antago-
n!ze the Smith followers in the West
or in other parts Of the country. Smith
will so into the convention with far
more delegates back OF him than any
other Democratic candidate for the
presidency. II Reed is ever 10 be nomi-
mated he will have 10 have much OF
this Smith support To antagonige the
governors followers would scarcely be
the better part OF politics,
However. the Reed incurSion into the
Wes. Is the first real semb!ance Of &C
tiv!ty on the part OF Democrats in the
hope o. Wrestling the nomination from,
Smith. There has been much talk o!
the Smith opposition rally!ng about
this or that Donahey OF
Ohio. McAdoo o. California, George Of
Georgia. Woollen Of Indiana. etc.-but
there has been no real concerted ac-
tn.ty for any Of them. Senator Reed
has gone out 10 fight his own battles.
as he always does. His progress will be
followed with keen interest.
~
Republicans III some of the Southern
States are inclined 10 feel asgyieSed at
the suggestion that money brought into
those states by prospective candidates
for the Republican presidential nominal
tion is an improper contribution. II
takes money 10 perform the mere me-
chanics necessary to choose deleGa-
ton to the Republican national con-
ernt!on. 1t Is estimated that il requires
$1,000 10 $4,000 ~ do all the necessary
advertising, hire halls and bring OF
the county. district and State cGnIen-
tions. Many OF the delegates 10 these
conventions are men who have not the
means To travel 10 the conventions ana
10 house themselves while III attend
ance A practice has arisen ~ paying
their travelling expenses and their board
while attending the conventions, Inc
leaders say that these expenses are just
as legitimate as the expenses paid III
other States to hold similar conNen-
,ions. and that money put up III other
States Is put up for self interest. JUST
as il Is the case where II is carried into
Southern State from outside, Ih!s
years Is u lean year, however, WIN Saa-
dldates afraid 10 step oW III tne
South. fearing the inautrins eye u con-
gressional investigators.
Having chosen Houston, Ten, rs the
Democratic national convention city. the
Democrats III New Work and other
Northern cities which have large col
ored populations are chavy about pick
Ing any colored delegates tn send Ia the
national convention, Tammany. Tor en-
ample, has u candidate for the pressden-
tial nomination, Its own Al smith, Tam"
ntnnN L. nnxiAiiS IN NlncAiE the SNNtM In