Evening star., 1928-02-10
Democratic Organization
Leans to Governor Despite
Dry-Protestant Protest.
NAMING OF SECRETARY
SEEN AS HOPE OF G. O. P.
Uninstructed Delegations to Hous-
ton and Kansas City Predicted in
Move to Smother Opposition.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

Democrats in considerable numbers do
not hesitate to say openly they are for
the nomination OF Gov. Alfred E. Smltn
of New York.
Louisiana, however, Is the one State
In the solid South, where this Is the
case.
But even here in Louisiana. where
delegation favorable to Smith probably
will be chosen, 1t is not believed now
that the delegation will be instructed 10
vote for the nomination OF the new
York Governor 1t probably Will go un-
instructed and vote for Smith. There
are reasons for this
In the first place many OF the South
eru States have been in the haplt OF
sending uninstructed delegates IN the
past and letting them work out the sal
vation of the Democratic party as best
they could In the second place SOUTH
ern Louisiana. and more particularly.
New Orleans, Is wet and has large
Catholic population, but northern Louis
lana is Protestant and dry.
The nomination of Gov. Smith Is not
going TO make any more OF hit with
the people of northern Louisiana than
1t does with the people OF Alabama and
that is no hit at all. So while there
are strong influences at work Tor Gov.
Smith In the State, there Is also the de-
sire not to fly into the face OF the
Protestant and dry northern parishes"
the name they have for counties down
hereby instructing delegation for
Gov. Smith His friends Will be en-
tirely satisfied II the personnel OF the
delegation is favorable to the Smith
nomination, without its being spread
broadcast.
Strong Liberal Sentiment.
louisiana is perhaps one-third Cath
olic, two-thirGs Protestant. with a very
liberal and wet sentiment In New
Orleans.
The percentage OF Catholic population
may be somewhat more than a third.
Al any rate. the people OF Louisiana
have for years been accustomed to vot-
ing for Catholics for office, and the
situation in Louisiana will not be any
thing like that in Alabama and Mis-
sissippi. where In some counties boys
grow 10 manhood without ever having
seen Catholic priest.
Louisiana has two Catholic Senators
today. members OF the House and thinks
with respect and admiration OF the late
Chief Justice White. native son.
Despite the fight which viii doubtless
be made on him If he be nominated,
Gov. Smith Is expected TO carry the
State Of Louisiana.
And this viii probably be true whether
the Republicans nominated for PreSt-
dent Secretary Herbert Hoover or not
There Is no mistaking the fact that the
people OF Louisiana feel very kindly
toward MFR. Hoover for his flood relief
work He probably will get a large vote
II nomnatcd~~largcr than any other
Republican could get or has ever re-
ceived for President In this State. In
1924 President Coolidge pollcd 24.670 to
93.2l8 for Davis. Democrat. and 4.063
for La Toilette. Progressive.
The late President Harding received
38. 538 votes 10 87.5l9 for Cox. Demo-
crat, at time when there was not n
little resentment against the Demo-
cratic administration as war after
math These figures do not really give
fair picture OF the difference Ia
strength between the Democratic and
Republican parties In Louisiana.
Democratic Poll Strong.
In a Democratic primary II the con-
torial fight nearly 100000 votes are
cast But IN general election many
Democrats do not trouble to go TO the
polls. understanding their ticket Will
surely win,
There are some Republican enthu-
siaSta who insist that Mr.. Hoover can
carry Louisiana, II he is nominated.
and especially II Al Smith Is the Demo-
ciaiic choice for President, Victor
I.oihcl. "A Republican leader and an ad-
mircr Of Mr. Hoover. told me that scores
Of Democrats have said to him that
they will vote the Republican presiden-
tiai ticket II Secretary Hoover Is the
Republican candidate
Up. NJ Lambfemont. former iieuten-
ant governor OF the State came To my
Office aud told me that he would vote
for MIR, Hoover. and that other Demo.
Gratis he knew would do the same" said
Mr. Loisei
This sounds like pretty strong Demo-
cratic Endorsement of the Hoover can
didacy And doubtless Ii considerable
number Of Democrats OF the thousands
who benefited through Tie work Of
MI Hoover when he took charge OF
food relief Ia the State last year VIII
| cast their votes for him. ftut the
Democratic organization hnd the Demo-
cratic leaders will be against him and
tor the Democratic ticket whether
fimith heads that ticket or not. The
Republican organization IN the State
| In a slender reed to lean on, mainly he~
cause there is no real Republican party
| In the State I'D tn date. ana the god
| of uaiitlcui hattiea h usually on the
| side at the strong organization. Some
| onr must pei olli the vote and The or
| uaulyntinu does II, Too many ideailhta
| hud on election day they have forgotten
| 10 ukislrF,
Split IN Party Looms.
The Republican delegation from
| Louisiana to the patty'a national con-
yrutinu Ii expected tn be- for Mt,
| itouyer This Ii IN recognition of his
| Work for the flood huffefera and also III
| recognition Of the fact that he In on
| pr,ted tu he far out IN 'front.' III The
| matter NJ delegates when convention
| time rolla around, Louisiana has ~
| delepaiea to tie Republican national
convention and 30 10 The Democratic
| uatiurai convention
| The uepuhiitanb nf ln,iaatia aeeu,
| to bs headed lnWard split. win The
| lily white faction aiming IN net Ihe
| aral,, 1T Walter Cohen, negro leader.
| At preaeni ihs lily white faction la III
| the aafendenGy aud ekpee's 0 name
tbs delegates ~ The national euntehr
ton when llie ttate convention IN held
soon H. AisHau la All factions. how
tuenlinnsd Oh Page J, Column ~