The Wolf Point herald. (Wolf Point, Mont.) 1913-1940, 1928-03-02
PRESIDENTIAL PREDICATIoNS

Making political guesses in March that cannot be verified before
November appears to be taking unnecessary chances. NeveItheleS
it is an even money bet right now that Herbert Hoover will be the mex
president of the United States. The biggest reason for such a guess
is that he has the Republican party behind him. The Republican
party is well established in the saddle, and the organization is strong
~ reinforced in the ways that count
Hoover is reasonably popular and will prove a vote getter be
cause he is recognized as a man of large caHbre- something not al
ways considered necessary in choosing presidential timber. Score
tary Hoover is a man Of natural and trained ability who has fuy
proven himself as engineer, economist and executive. By conviction
and association he takes his view point from the big business angle
The farmers of Inc country II allowed IN privilege QUO choose
another man, Lowden or Norris, perhaps. Hoover will have to de-
clare himself favorable to legislation that gives agriculture a more
even break with other lines OF production sue as tn McNary-Hau
gen measure, before he can line up many delegations from the strict
Iy agricultural states. But he will have plenty from the East and will
not need the farm bloc strength. Only a split and a deadlock can
keep the nomination from Hoover. In such a case Dawes or a dark
The vets may try to talk it down and laugh it off but wet or dry
is bound to be a large consideration with the voters whether it is with
the party leaders or not. Prohibition is a troublesome doggie. The
leaders would like to send it home but it is determined to tag along
and will be close by when the race is finished in November. Hoover,
according to his declarations is at least so per cent dry. He's for the
amendment And he is wise because it is n the constitution to stay
anyway. He is for its enforcement which is fine II he acts O the
principle. Volstead revision is still left as the hope of the vets for
Hoover is silent on the subject.
Governor Smith is almost as sure of the Democratic nomination
as Hoover is of the election but will not win the honor n a walk
If VIM G. McAdoo is brought into the race another bitter fight is GER
tain to take place at houston with chances goa Lor son nma man
quite possibly Senator Thomas :. Walsh OF Montana There IS
p rsSmTiG nan ma Ge popI hon1d he ~ T tis IS Is said without NV refer rf
ence to religion. Smith is N able and a clever nan a mixer and a
vote getter. That's all. He is a proven success a a machine polti
clan, he sticks for the gang, he wins for the party, rewards his friends
He's sopping wet, which means he is not in sympathy with the laws
of the country and the provisions of the constitution. He would be
an easy mark for a candidate o the Hoover type. Hoover may be
the representative of capital and big business, but real businessmen
are not wet at the ballot box regardless If what their personal habits
may be- AS Ifeutenants, and managers of millions of men they know
tha booze and business are not on terms.
Evidence is lacking that either of the great political parties has
enough strength or courage within its controlling faction to listen to
the call of the times, defy tradition and policy, scorn hairspHttng,
fence straddIng platforms and name a man rather than a candidate
A man Of conviction and principle whose vision goes beyond self or
faction or party. seeing only the future good of the government and
the American pep0e. A man with ideals who stands like a Lincoln,
for honesty in business and politics, for education and ceanness in
the home, for economic methods, equality and justice for ALL in
government A man with the courage, the Independence, the power
within himself to lead, not party but the people, and make good. Either
party can find such men if it wants them. The parties do not want
them now. Perhaps the time VIII come when they dc.