Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-15
Politics at Large

The time for open fighting in the
pre- convention campaigns OF both ma
ior political parties is at hand. The
only two presidential possibilities prom
inently mentioned who have not now
signalized In one way or another their
personal intentions OF getting into the
struggle are Gov. AL Smith OF New
York, on the Democratic side. and Vice
President Charles @. Dawes, on the Re
publican. Hoover, Curtis, Lowden. Willis
-Rep,1blicans-all are avoWed can
didates. and so are Senator Jim Reed
OF Missouri, Senator George OF Georgia,
Gov. Richie Of Maryland and other
Democrats. But up to the present the
New York governor with no little po-
litical acumen. has kept mum on the
possibility Of his candidacy. His FRIENDS
have spread the AL Smith doctrine Tar
and wide, have claimed that ne alone
of all the Democrats has any chance
to win in 1928. But the governor has
said no word which would preclude his
announcement later that he was not
and has not been candidate for the
nomination this year. And there are
still some Democrats who cling to the
hope that such an announcement Will
be made. particularly In the South.
Vice President Dawes has said ne Is
not a candidate but favors the nomi-
nation Of his fellow statesman, Frank
o. Lowden. 1t would be idle 10 say
however. that the vice president mas
not a large army of followers who are
hoping he will succeed to the Lowden
strength in the national convention
and also gather much strength OF his
own.
The principal opposition to Gov.
Smiths nomination lies in the dry and
Protestant States of the South. 1t Is
true that the opposition to the New
York governor Is strong, too. In Indiana
and one or two other dry States OF the
West. But what the South does in
the national convention in Houston
will make tremendous difference to
the Smith fortunes. provided he re-
mains IN the race A recent canvass
of sentiment in eight States OF the
South-Vir1iria North Carolina. South
Carolina. Georgia. Alabama. Louisiana.
Mississippi and Tennessee-shoWed
strong oppo:ltion TO the nomination of
Smith. In Louisiana alone OF these
States was there real belief that Smith
delegates would be sent to the conven-
ton. and even in the case OF louisiana
1t is expected the delegation will be
uninstructed. Much depends upon the
intensity of the opposition among the
delegates chosen from the Southern
States. If they are opposed to Smith.
but are also opposed to another Madi-
son Square Garden struggle. they may
yet permit the nomination OF the New
York governor If they go to the con-
vention resolved to die In the ditch
rather than allow Smith to be romi-
mated. a very different situation arises.
The great difficulty which the South
ern States face in their opposition 4,
Smith is the failure of any dry and
Protestant candidate to develop suffi-
cient strength to make him a real con-
tender with the New Yorker I found
that many OF the Democratic leaders
while strongly opposed to Smith. have
about reached the conclusion that he
Is TO be the party nominee. II he Is
the party nominee. the solid South Is
still likely 10 vote the Democratic
ticket a break TO the Republicans
may be expected in Tennessee. which
went Republican in 1920. But the rest
Of the States I visited are probably tr
go for Smith. although there will be
strong opposition In North Carolina and
Virginia. The Democratic habit. the
Democratic organizations and the race
question are likely TO prevent a swing
TO the Republicans.
Senator George Of Georgia. presented
he- hfS taf thn candidate nF fhn
South for the Democratic nomination.
has the respect Of Democrats In other
States OF the South. He may yet be-
come their rallying post in the Houston
convention. But so far the leaders In
States outside his own have not come
round to that position. Many Of then,
think 1t would be i'll advised 10 seek
the nomination of a Southerner this
year They are hoping that in few
years Southern man may be nomi-
mated for President. with real chance
of election But they are convinced
that if Smith is turned down this year
no Democrat will have chance 10 win
So Southern leaders in various States
are talking OF Owen D. Young Of NcE
York and Newton p. Baker OF Ohio and
Meredith n Iowa, but without great
deal Of conviction. All the time they have
In the back Of their heads that they
NAV yet be compelled 10 support Al
Smith. and most Of them are saying
little about the New Yorker for puolica-
ton Indeed. there are few who de-
clare for his nomination. believing that
II would be the wiSest move on the part
of the Democrats and prevent great
descrtion OF the party by Northern and
Eastern Democrats. But this last group
Is comparatively small.
To date. the Republicans o: the South
appear to favor the nomination OF Sec
rotary Herbert Hoover OF the Depart
ment Of Commerce. II they cannot have
President Coolidge nimself Mr., Hoover
Is popular In the States Of the M,Ss!s-
sippi Valley and has made many per-
sonal contacts there during his food re-
lief work. His greatest asset perhaps
Is the belief among the Republicans
that he is the most likely candidate 10
be nominated. The Southern States Re-
publicans are Just as willing 10 be "on
the band wagon" as the Republicans OF
Northern and Western States, and per-
haps little more so. In Virginia and
South Carolina the Republican situation
is dominated by two men. BaScom
Slemp in Virginia and Joseph W, Toll
bert In South Carolina. Both are ma
tional committeeman II they Jump 10
Hoover. and there have been signs re-
Gently they are inclined 10 favor him,
the State delegations will be for Hoover.
In North Carolina the sentiment Is
pretty we'll divided between Hoover and
Lowden. and In Alabama. Georgia,
Louisiana. Mississippi and Tennessee the
sentiment Is strongly for Hoover, Ten
neSSee also has many Lowden support
erS and a sprinklng Of Curtis followers
The Senate did The expected and put
through the La Toilette anti-third-term
resolution. Whether II will have any
effect on the draft -Cooliige" move
ment. now under way In New York and