Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-19
SMITH HAS SOUTH,
DANIELS ASSERTS
Governor ConterS With Farm
and Dry Heads-Finishes
Acceptance Speech.

tant conferences with farm and pro
hihition leaders marked the final weel
for Gov. Al Smith before the actua
beginning of his campaign next weel
with his formal notification Wednesda,
of his nomination for President on tht
Democratic ticket,
BY the middle OF the week the gov
ernor had completed work on his mott
fication speech. Before putting thI
final period to the document he waiteC
only long enough 10 talk for ssyera
hours at the executive mansion with
short dozen men listed as farm
leaders" from various parts Of the
country. six of the ten also being listed
Is Republicans. The latter classified
ton included George N. Peek of Moline
III. who has taken upon himself the
rounding up Of agricultural support fol
Gov. Smith because Of his disSatisfac-
ton with the Republican handling OF
the question
The aEriculturists talked long time
with the governor. Then both gave out
statements. both in substance claiming
mutual admiration and apparent good
feeling. but neither saying anything
especially definite That is to come
When The governor gives his notiflca-
ton speech.
Daniels Is Visitor,
The same thing applies to the pro-
hihition question. Senator Glass or
Virginia, Josephus Daniels Of North
Carolina, Senator George of Georgia
aud Senator Walsh Of Montana were
the dry champions who were invited 10
the mansion on succeeding days 10 con-
fer with the outstanding wet in mod
ern-iay politics, now their national
standard bearer.
Just what uanspired in the gov
errors mansion rs the drys conferred
with the governor is not known. Mr.
Daniels alone was laxative. and al
though he spoke freely to newspaper
men. IT vas before his talk with the
governor. Afterward he had nothing
TO say.
Mr.. Daniels did make one thing very
clear which is that in his opinion the
South generally is awaiting Gov. Smiths
notification speech. especially his words
on national prohibition and the
eighteenth amendment with greater
interest than has been displayed in any
such announcement in q long time.
In fact. Mr.. Daniels left the impression
from his talk that great deal may
depend on what Gov Smith sees fit TO
say on the subject.
The former Secretary Of the Navy
under President Wilson declared he
still regretted the presidential eandi-
dates bold telegram to the Houston
convention in which he said he hoped
TO be able to point the way out OF the
present enforcement difficulties. Never
theiess. he said. he did not think the
governors message amounted to re-
nunc:stion of the Democratic platform.
Seuth Is Seen Safe.
The solid South" Mr. Daniels un-
6oubteily told the Governor, Judging
from his words Just before entering the
conference, he believes TO be safe for
Coz. Smith. But still there was the
under current of suggestion that too
strong q stand on repeal or modifca-
ton Of the prohibition amendment
might easily result In unexpected oc-
curTences.
The feeling has been growing here.
based partly on the governors bold
move In teiegrsphing the Houston con-
vention as ne did-taking the pro-
hibition bit firmly In his own teeth and
interpreting the party platform as Civ
ing hira leeway TO do this-tnat the
notification speech is not going 10
soften this attitude any and that the
governor may go even farther.
There is no question of the fact that
his dry visitors saw the governor
speech-it was finished before their
visits began. Undoubtedly they dis
cussed together the prohibition amend
nnent. but whether 1t struck the dry
leaders or what they told the governor
Ia not known Next Wednesday night
viii have 10 decide that question.
A strange train Of events this week
ieft Goth major parties In New York
State without a titular State head.
FIRST Lieut.. Cor Edwin Corning placed
fn the hands Of the governor his reslg-
nation as chairman Of the Democratic
State committee. A slight heart dila-
ton. necessitstins absolute rest for
gorne time 10 come. was announced as
the reason BY Mr.. Corning's physician
in q telegram from Northeast Harbor,
Me, where the Cornings have their
Summer home
Morris Drops Dead.
Then. two DAYS later. George K.
Morris. Republican State chairman.
dropped dead in his hotel in New YORK
City. A cerebral hen1orrhage removed
him from the political arena Just as ne
vas about 70 enter one Of the greatest
battles Of hts career as chairman.
Mr.. Cornings resignation has not yet
been presented. nu. 70 all intents and
purposes he is out OF politics. This
untoward turn Of affairs places q
woman in charge Of the State organi-
eaton Of both parties for the time
beinr. The Republican vice chzirms n
IA Sarah Schuyler Butler Of New York
daughter Of Or Nicholas Murra7
Butter. president Of Columbia Univer-
atty. politically active for many years.
Caroline OTDay Of Rye is the Demo-
cratic vice chairman.
The keenest interest is being dis
played In the question Of who will Sue
ceed afr. Morris Many hold that fate
eppears 10 have had q hand in this
again Mr.. Morris wGs a Arm draft
Coolidge for President man, even NO
20 the last minute At Kansas City the
New York delegation failed 70 clint
on the Hoover band wagon until the
very lest minute This fact. Hoover :
successful DID for the nomination an0
various other happenings have served
IN bring decidedly 10 the front IN New
York state G. o. r. circles william Fl
HiH. former State Senator and Bing'
kznton newspaper publisher.
Mr. Hi was one Of the origina
Hoover supporters. With Un6ersecre-
tary Of the Treasury Ogden l.. Mills 81
Esw YORK ne fought from tae begin
ring for the nomination Of the Com
r.erce Secretary He Ia nov the loaical
successor IN Mr Morris MANY claim. n
take over lhs helm Of the party In yifp
~ the fact that he 10 already head o.
the State Hoover campaign.