Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-21

Concedine that Gov. Smiths fortunes
have been undergoing a bit of a slump
during recent weeks, Democratic leaders
believe that the Omaha speech is des-
tined to mark definite turning poin:
for me better. They are comparing the
present juncture Of the campaign with
the corresponding period in the second
Wilson campaign, At the end of Sep
tember, 1916, the tide seemed to be
flowing irresistibly in the Republicans
direction. Then came tho famous
"OLeary letter. truculent communi-
cation to the President accusing him of
pro-ally leanings. Wilson rejoined that
he did not want the support Of dis
loyaliSt" The Presidents friends then
and afterward always claimed that the
"OLeary letter" swung public opinion
around to a degree that spelled Hughes
doom few weeks later. Gov. Smith.
his adherents contend, has now begun
speaking out "in meeting" in the sledge-
hammer fashion that makes votes. The
Oklahoma City speech, they say rams
home the impressions created by the
Omaha blast.
Contrary to popular expectation. pro-
hibition is not likely to enliven proceed
ings at the forthcoming tricnnial gen.
| at Washington III October The coun-
try has been led to think such fireworks
we're in sight because OF recent poll
Of the Episcopal clergy by the Church
! Temperance Society, which disclosed a
considerable wet sentiment. The Tenn
Derance Society is an entirely unofficial
! body. II has no connection whatever
! with the Episcopal organiza ton. The
church apparently is taking no stand on
| the prohibition issue. pro or con. and no
arrangements what ever have been made
| to discuss it at the Washington tri-
ennial. Not many people know that
| the Federal Government insofar as our
| legislative system is concerned. adhcreS
| closely to the ancient legislative Struc-
ture of the Episcopal Church. The lat
ter since time immemorial has been
governed by "tWo-house" SvStem-the
House of Bishops. corresponding to the
Senate. and the House of Clericals and
Lay Deputies, corresponding to the
House of Representatives. The two
Episcopal houses will deliberate in
Washington in separate sessions, as
Congress does. All decisions must be
legal.
Word drifting down from the granite
|
and disappointed over the shortncss of
President Coolidge's visit to his native
State this month It is narrated that
when he notified Gov. Weeks some time
ago that the visit would take place, the
President said he would tarry for "a
brief spell" Vermonters seem to con-
slider two-day sojourn too brief to be
considered any kind of spell
| x X X X
His official biographer and Stanford
University roommate. viii Irwin, dis
closes that Herbert Hoover at college
had to "set himself painfully to perfect
the art of expression" Irwin declares
that Hoover lin English was not a
promising pupil" The Republican
nominees speech at Newark is being
discussed AS the highest spot rhetor-
ically, that Hoover ever touched To-
ward the end of the Jersey address. the
Californian perpetrated a phase which
might have been inspired by Bryan's
cross-of-gold masterpiece. Enduring
national life" said Hoover, cannot be
builded upon the bowed and sweating
backs of oppressed and embittered men
and women" Senator Curtis reply to
an Iowa heckler on September 10 in
dicates that the G, o. p Second-place
man has a gift for words too. Probably
nothing the Kansan has ever said
not even his remark about Hoover on
the eve of the Kansas City convention
will be remembered as long as his slam
at his Hawkeye interrupter, who was
told he was too damned dumb" to
understand Curtis answer to his ques-
ton.
| X
The stumps OF the country are fairly
ringing with winged words. and no
party or speaker has a monopoly OF
them. In the Washington press gallery