The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-26
KEEPING UP
With
THE NE WIS
BY LUDWELL DENNY

BY LUDWELL DENNY
HOUSTON, Texas, June &c.
L When the Democratic conven-
ton opened today there seemed to
be only one major question In
doubt.
Can the drys and anti-Catholics
create enough bitterness to make
Smith reject the nomination?
Most of the delegates, the bosses
and the political observers agree
that the New Yorker can beat any
combination that is rugged against
him.
Many of them are certain that it
all will be over not later than the
third ballot, or even the first ballot.
These predictions are based upon
the belief that such "favorite SON
States as Indiana and Ohio will
swing to AL on the second ballot, on
may change their votes at the end
of the first roll call
In either case the Smith total
would mount so close to the neces-
sary two thirds for nomination that
the band wagon boys would break
for the winner.
1t would be Kansas City and
Hoover all over again.
n
XXTHILE that is the probable re-
w suit, there is always a chance
that the die-hards can make trou-
BILE. They have not given up Few
if any of them expect to stop Smith
in an open fight.
But they still hope if not to rule.
then to ruin.
They we're willing to force a party
split to make impossible AIS cleo
ton in November. They say to you:
For generations our people have
voted the Democratic ticket, but I'M
der no conditions will we vote for
Catholic"
Some are not so frank. They
curse Smiths wetness and his Tam
many connections, when they are
driven by fear and hatred Of a
"papist" They will not answer
when you ask them why Senator
Jim Reed of Missouri who is just
as wet as the leading candidate, is
acceptable to them as a compro-
mise.
OF course, there is a straightaway
dry opposition here, unconnected
with anti-Catholicism and the
Klan. But they are not part of the
bitter-end movement. If they were,
the dangers Of split would be
serious.
Such men, for instance, as Sena-
tor Harrison of Mississippi, Senators
Robinson Of Arkansas and Repre-
sentative Hull Of Tennessee. If the
New York Governor is nominated by
a fairly we'll united party it will be
largely because such drys as these
so far have refused to make this
another Madison Square Garden.
THEY know that a split can
i work both ways. 1t would be
bad enough if a minority of dele
gates started an anti-Catholic third
party under a dry banner, which
would throw doubtful States to the
Republicans.
But, they reason, it would be worse
if Smith, the leader Of the proven
majority, should use this justif1ca-
ton for withdrawing. Could the
party survive?
Many persons, who should know,
are convinced that AL already has
definitely decided to withdraw II the
balloting is artifically prolonged.
they say: ~
He is not thin-skinned, nor
afraid of fair fight. His record in
New York State politics and at the
last national convention proves
that"
But he is not willing to be a
scapegoat. He does not want the
nomination unless there is a chance
Of election. His pithy campaign re-
mark that Hoover would be easy to
beat, assumed that the Democratic
nominee would have his party be-
hind him. Unless there is going to
be such Democratic harmony, he
would prefer to let some other cam
didate have the privilege of being
defeated by Hoover.
THERE is thus a close analogy
l. between the Kansas City and
Houston conventions.
In both cases a single issue was
out forward to block the nomina-
ton of the leading candidate
There it was farm relief here it Is
prohibition. Persons with other
motives tried to use farm relief for
their purpose, as the anti-Cathollcs
here try to use prohibition.
In both cases there was failure
of opponents Of the leading can
didates to form an effective alliance.
This threw the decision into the
hands of one man.
At Kansas City it was known and
widely written in advance, thai
Hoover's nomination was assured
unless Coolidge permitted an ulau-
thorized third term candidacy.
At Houston it seems that Smiths
nomination is assured unless he
himself decides it is not worth hav-
ing on the terms offered. That Is
DOSsible hut bioh1v it11nrOha t,la