Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-02
c. O.P. HOLDS EDGE
IN RHODE ISLAND
But Democrats Feel They
Have Strongest Ticket
Ever Presented.
BY 6. GOULD LINCOLN,
StaH Correspnndent OF The Star.


PROVIDENCE, r. l., September t.
The Democrats OF Rhode Island fee
they are going to the bat November
with the strongest ticket they have had
in years, headed by Gov. Smith of New
York for President and Senator Peter
Goelet Gerry for Senator. Their candi-
date for governor is not yet finally Sc
lected, but there is likelihood that he
will be of French extraction, possibly
Alberto Archameault, State senator
or Felix Toupin, former lieutenant gov
ernor. Theodore Francis Greene OF
Providence, too, is mentioned as a pos
sible gubernatoriai candidate.
They argue that Senator Gerry has
twice been elected in Republican
state, and that he is therefore invinci-
BILE. They say, too, that Gov. Smith
is the first Democratic candidate for
President put forward in years who
really makes an appeal to the citizens
of Rhode Island They had no par
ticular liking for John W. Davis IN
1924 or former Gov Cox of Ohio IN
1920. But Smith, with his wet appeal,
his strong personality and his interest
fer the late corners TO the country,
they feel. will add great strength TO
the ticket.
Republicans Confident.
While the Democrats are cocky. the
Republicans have by no means lost
confidence. They insist that Herbert
Hoover makes real appeal TO the
business interests of the State. which
are large, and to the women because
OF his humanitarian work all over the
world and his work as food admins
traitor during the World War. For
governor, the republican leaders are
planning to nominate. Gov. Norman S.
Case, who became governor when the
late Gov. Pothier died In February
OF this year And for Senator to run
against Gerry. they have virtually
selected Felix Hebert, French
American Judge OF a district court
and a widely known insurance lawyer.
How the political leaders in this state
do love the French this year---aTid for
that matter. every election year. Eacn
side is intent Just now on naming
strong Frenchman on their state TICKET,
TO aid in bringing the French american
vote into line. This vote is estimated
at 10000 or about 20 per cent OF the
total vote cast in the State. With the
City of Providence, which has perhaps
40 per cent of the total population and
of the total voting strength OF the
state. pretty evenly divided between
Democrats and Republicans. the Dig
French vote, which is located almost
entirely out in the State, practically
holds the balance of power. AS indicat-
ed in this writer's dispatch In yester-
day's Star. the French vote has been
strongly Republican In the past, though
II has swung to the Democrats in sew
eraI State elections, giving them victory
Also. the French have been arltagoriiStlc
politically TO the Irish Americans which
gives the Republicans further cause ior
nope this year.
Foresees Hoover Victory.
Reuublican state Chairman W. G
petty insists that the state VIII not only
cast it6 electoral vote for Hoover, pu'
also that it will elect Judge Heberl over
Senator Gerry and that Gov. Case WI
walk into Office again. He Is backed u[
In this prognostcation by Frederick .
Peck, Republican national connnilltee'
man a power in politics in this State
Eui Col. Patrick II. Quinn, Democratic
national committeeman, Is no less sure
that Smith will win the State electofa
vote and that Senator Gerry VIII n'
Te~eIected.
Senator Gerry was first elected TO TN
Senate in 1916, defeating former Senator
! Lippitt He repeated in 1922, when ~
defeated former Gov. Beekmafi. lie ma
built up In the State strong persona
organization and following, and ne ma
been actively engaged in his campaign
| for reelection for more than q year
| HIS Republican opponents insist thai n
| follows the Tammany method that ~
! spends great sums 0f money Y
! strengthen flis position. The Democrat
/ say he is generous and contributes q
! l6,nrti,,,,ed on page Column %