Watauga Democrat. [volume] (Boone, Watauga County, N.C.) 1888-current, 1928-07-12
SENTIMENT IN WEST
STRONG FOR SMITH
Republican and Independent Voters
Dissatisfied With Two Last Re-
publican Administrations, Will
Vote For Smith in November
By ROB RIVERS

lrdVellng as QlQ through Ine MID
die western and Rocky Mountain
regions during the period in which
the two major political parties held
their conventions and named their
presidential candidates., l was
forcibly impressed by the feeling
which was manifested toward the
two men who are so shortly to enter
into a death grapple for the White
House honors. l happened to be in
the city of Denver when the nomi-
nation of Herbert Hoover was GER
tainty. The naming of the COM
merce secretary seemed to have been
taken as a foregone conclusion and
there was little nthusiasm. Out of
the large crowds of tourists from
various sections of the country who
frequented the hotel lobbies, sur
prisingly small per cent lent an at
tentive ear to the radio accounts of
the Kansas City conclave. Hoover
was the man, his nomination was as
sured prior to the opening of the
convention and while his friends
were satisfied, they were not jubi-
liant. However, when the news of
Governor Smiths victory was broad
cast the bonds of silence were broken
and there were friendly arguments
on every hand.
Strange to say, however, conversa-
tions centering about the New York
executive were carried on for the
greatest part in very friendly
spirit. l failed to find Democrat
opposed to his election but conversed
with groups of Republicans who,
while not discrediting their nominee,
declared their intention of voting for
Smith in November. Especially
through the farming regions of In
diana, Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska
did this condition exist. The city
| Republicans favored Smith princi-
pally because of his prohibition atti-
tude and his record of honesty in
governmental affairs. The farm
population seems to value the two
planks on farm relief as about
equally balanced, but lean to Smith
as the candidate most likely to car
ry out the platform in this connec-
ton, if elected. Great dissatisfac-
ton is expressed among this element
on account of the fact that the Re-
publican party gave agriculture
vague promises during eight years
and nothing more. They appreciate
the fact that in New York state,
Governor Smith has always fulfilled
campaign promises. In every in
stance where l was present when
poll of sentiment was taken, re-
gardless of whether the assembly
was Republican or Democratic, Smith
feeling predominated. On train
coming to Chicago from Denver
/ check showed that of IA passengers
on one car, 10 favored Smith. l was
the only Southerner present, most of
the passengers were from Illinois
and Pennsylvania and almost solid
Republican. | could recite other in
stances as interesting as this along
the same line and will mention the
further fact that in the sections |
visited there was no evidence of local
women organizations fighting Smith
or of ministers becoming involved in
the fight Some Of the Catholic
churchmen, however, have thrown
down their allegiance to the G. o. P.
this year and will support Smith be-
cause of the attacks of Senator Hef-
lin of Alabama. Should the Catho-
lie vote go Democratic this year, the
result would be very interesting, in
view of the fact that the strongest
Catholic states are in New England,
where there are as many as two to
one over the Protestants, and where
the Democratic party has never poll
ed victory.
These brief observations are not
intended as a forecast that Governor
Smith will be the next president of
the United States but are submitted
merely as the feeling of the people
with whom | came in contact and
passed along for whatever they may
be worth. To say the least the feel
| ing that is abroad over the land
would indicate that the election this
year will be a different proposition
from the two previous ones when
there was no fight to be made by the
| G.. o. P. With some southern ex-
ceptions, where the Democratic ma
jority is so overwhelming that no
state can hardly be lost, it appears
that there is absolute harmony in the
Democratic ranks and that they will
be supplemented by hordes of Re-
publican and independent voters.
Whatever the outcome Of the cam
paign may be, the country is prom
ised pei haps the most colorful cam
paign Of it's history.