Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-10-02
The New York Contest.

Today's Developments at Rochester, III
the Democratic State convention, mdl-
cate that Gov. Smith. as candidate for
the presidency. is making his strongest
bid for the support OF himself in til"
national contest. The selection of
Franklin D. Roosevelt rs nominee of the
party for governor. effected after he had
repeatedly declined to be considered for
the honor. on account of the condition
Of his health. unmists&aoly increases the
chances Of Democratic success in New
York next month. Mr.. Roosevelt is de-
eervedly popular throughout the State.
A man of culture. of eminent family.
bearing a name that is beloved by the
people of New York. with high record
OF achievements in public office and OF
unblemished personal integrity. he will,
despite the frailty of his health. be
powerful factor for the State ticket.
1t is recognized as one of the few Ger
tainties of this campaign that unless
Gov. Smith can carry his own State ne
cannot be elected President. He may, II
certain conceivable combinations Of
electoral votes, carry it and still lose the
big race. But to win the presidency he
must obtain the forty-five votes of New
York. To this end IL is vitality important
that the State contest be conducted
with the strongest possible ticket, and
such a ticket the governor himself has
written, using his own personal infiu-
ence with Mr.. Roosevelt to induce him
to reconsider his refusal to engage this
year in political campaign.
The Republicans have likewise named
Q strong ticket. advancing to the head
the attorney general Of the State, who
has made an excellent record in Office
and has large personal following. He
is a Jew. and it was expected that the
Democratic ticket, in view Of that fact,
If Mr.. Roosevelt persisted in his re-
fusal to take the nomination. would
likewise be headed by a member of that
race, as counter bid for support. The
nomination of Col Herbert Lehman,
who is finance director of the Demo-
cratic national committee. in some
measure effrcts this appeal to the Jew
ish vote of the State.
A close friendship has existed between
Gov. Smith and Mr.. Roc evelt for many
years. They have been associated IN
politics and in public affairs. At the
Houston convention 1t was Mr.. Roose-
welt who placed Gov. Smiths name in
nomination, with speech that was
rated as the most effective deliverance
Of that gathering. Thus the State ticket.
as finally shaped In consequence of the
governors urgency and personal plead
ing, represents the national ticket In a
degree that is rarely attained in state
politics.
Both candidates for governor are
highly popular. Both are men of I'M
blemished record in public and private
life. Both are good campaigners. al
though in this contest the Republican
nominee for the governorship will have
somewhat the advantage Of the Demo-
cratic, on the score of the latter's physi-
cal handicap. In view of the great i'm
portance Of the contest it may be ex-
pected that not even the disabilities in
cident TO his deplorable atfiiction will
deter the Democratic candidate from
contributing his utmost to the effort to
secure Democratic success for the State
ticket, which may mean success for the
national.