Evening star., 1928-10-28

want them corrupted by the blithing
influence Of prohibition enforcement
However, he was entirely satisfied and
willing that the Coast Guard under
the Secretary of Treasury and for
which he had no responsibility be put
In a position where they might be cor
rupted. This is what he refers to as
"a noble experiment" But he did not
want any of his men to have anything
to do with it.
Lately I have heard a great deal of
Republican gossip to the effect that
Smith could do nothing about the
prohibition laws If he were elected"
Gov. Hughes voices that thought
Where did hear that before? That
was the stock argument made against
me in the State of New York for years
in the attempt to draw Republican sup
port away from my candidacy for the
governorship when I advocated drastic
changes in the structure and form OF
the government in the interest Of econ
omv and efficiency.
Under our New York State constitu-
ton it is practically impossible to elect
a Democratic Assembly IN 1922 when
carried the State by 387, 900 plurality
was confronted with y Renublican AS
sembly. The word had been spread
around by the Republican organization
workers and leaders that there is no
use in voting for Smith. He can't do
anything to benefit the government OF
New York State beacauSe the Legs
lature won't be with him."
The Republican platform itself openly
declared against constitutional execu-
tive budget. They were bound by
solemn party promise not to do any
thing about it, and that lent force to
the argument that Smith would not be
able to accomplish his constructive
reforms.
All Are Accomplished.
They have all been accomplished:
Reorganization of the government.
shortening of the ballot, executive bud
get by constitutional law, bond issueS
for the elimination of dangerous rail-
road crossings at grade, bond issues for
parks and parkways looking to the
health and comfort of future genera
tions, bond issues for the rehabilitation
of the States hospitals, plants ana
structures. After quarter Of century
of Republican neglect these have all
been accomplished in the State OF New
York In spite of the argument that
"Srnith couldn't do anything with
hostile legislature" And how were
they accomplished? BY direct appeal to
the peaple, by the marsha'ing OF pj'h-
lie sentiment, by the focusing OF public
demand for these things directly upon
the legislative bodies. 1t is matter OF
history that these reforms were taken
by the Republican partv rellctantIV, AZ
though after once having been accom-
plished they sought the credit for them.
Suppose the kind OF argument now
made by Gov, Hughes had prevailed IN
the minds of the people OF New YORK
we would have had no reorganization,
we would have had no improvement in
the Government, things would have
stood stiu. Nevertheless that is a part
of the argument that Mr.. Hughes now
offers and it is a part Of the whisper
ing campaign to the effect that Smith
can accomplish nothing so far as pro-
hibition Is concerned"
What did Mr.. Hughes do himself
when he was Governor of New York?
When he suggested something to the
Legislature of his own party which they
rejected, using his own words, he ap-
pealed to the people. He did not be-
lieve that he was carrying on any
sham battle He stated that he was IN
q real fight and he carried it directly
to the rank and file OF the people OF
the State of New York, and they backed
him up.
Promises Enforcement.
He knows what say is true. because
he admits that my election will inten-
sify the demand for a change in the
prohibition laws.
Gov. Hughes says that he feels that
my election would impede the efforts
at enforcement. What efforts? The
situation could not be worse than 1t is
today all over the country Is he sat-
isfied with it? Is he willing to take
his place alongside Mr.. Hoover and do
nothing about it, except to call 1t a
noble experiment?
If had to admit that the American
people were helpless to change the in
tolerable conditions which exist today,
/ would be forced in the next breath to
deny the efficiency of Democratic rep
government.
I believ that with the facts clearly
before them the American people will
express their dissatisfaction with the
present condition. I believe they are
ready to remedy it.
If elected, I shall discharge my con-
stitutional duty and enforce the exist
ing law to the very best of my ability.
At the same time, / shall carry this
matter straight to the American people
and lay it before them frankly and
clearly.
I have suggested remedy which, in
my opinion, will wipe out the evils OF
corruption and bootlegging, promote
real temperance and restore respect fur
law. It rests upon the fundamental
doctrine of States rights. 1t would give
to the people of each State the power
under the conditions set forth in my
acceptance speech to determine for
themselves the position they wish their
State to take with respect to prohibi-
ton. It would make the law ogain re-
sponsive to the will of the people them
selves, and I am satisfied that the pco-
pie themselves under constructive and
intelligent leadership can be relied upon
to effect this reform. Gov. Hug1es need
not worry-thiS is no sham battle.
Refers to Tariff Issue.
While we are correcting statements
calculated to becloud the issues OF the
campaign, let me correct a statement
by Mr.. Hoover himself made in his
speech at Boston. After referring to
the fact that "the Tariff Commission Is
most valuable arm OF the Govern
ment,' and that sit can be strength
ened and made more useful in several
ways" he said:
But the American people VI, never
consent to delegating authority over
the tari1 to ans commission. whether