Milford chronicle., 1928-07-13
METHODISTS ASSAIL
CHOICE OF SMITH
Temperance Board Says Democratic
Nominee "Heads Straight Back
To The Saloon"

Washington, July 10. - Accom-
panying a compilation of the record
of Governor Smith on Prohibition
the Methodist Board of Temperance
Prohibition and Public Morals, in
the current issue of it's "Clip-Sheet,
today charged that his nomination
as Democratic presidential candi-
date "heads straight back to the
saloon"
Governor Smiths record on liquor
legislation, as set forth by the
board, was compiled by Orville S.
Roland, of the New York Anti-Sa-
loon League, it was announced.
Among the statements made by
the board, most of the conclusions
having been drawn from Mr. Po-
lands report, are the following:
1.-THE New York wet organization
twice prevented the nomination by
the Democratic Party of a logical
dry candidate for the Presidency
and preferred certain defeat to lack
of absolute control. Then that or
ganization knitted the Democratic
ticket in return for State political
advantages.
cat the Democratic convention in
New York in 1924, Mr.. McAdoO was
the leading candidate, quite obvious
" having the support of a majority
of Democrats and of many more
than the number of Democrats re-
string the nomination of Governor
Smith in 1928. The New York wet
organization prevented his nOmina-
ton solely because he was dry, in
jecting the false issue of religion as
a last desperate means.
Says McAdOO Was UnselfiSh
when it became apparent that a
continuation of the contest between
Mr.. McAdoo and Governor Smith
would rend the Democratic Party,
Mr.. McAdOo showed his unselfish-
ness by Withdrawing his name from
further consideration. The fIii1ein i ls g. g.
Governor Smith seized upon the re-
sulting situation to press the name
of their fractional candidate.
1.-THE method of building up Gov
ernor Smiths candidacy has been
without parallel in United States po-
Iitical history. Republican papers
have printed loaded, large-type edi-
torials insisting upon his nominal
ton.
"The whole matter is covered
deep with suspicion. 1t is perfectly
apparent that no other candidate,
no other man, in America has been
sable to command such an extent
powerful unseen influences.
1.-THE nomination of Governor
Smith by the Democratic convention
at Houston demands of the South
and West a violation of conscience,
a disregard of principle and honor
and a public, recorded humiliation.
That this nomination heads straight |
back to the saloon is perfectly ap-
parent. Platforms and profession |
mean nothing in the face of facts, |
utterances, and records made before |
the days of campaign expediency.
Urges Democrats to Protest
eff a Democrat is elected Presi-
dent it will Immediately be claimed |
that the nation by popular vote has
disavowed the prohibition law and
a massed assault all along the line
will Immediately be ordered for the
purpose of restoring a S5,000,000,00
trade in intoxicating liquors.
Beyond doubt, many men at
Houston voted for the nomination
of Governor Smith in the hope, per-
haps a forlorn hope, that the party
might be delivered from the body of
this death. If this is to be done, the
nation must speak with utter final
ity.
THE best service that a Demo-
crat can render the Democratic
party in the. present situation is to
register an effective protest at the
ballot box. Governor Smith has
been for various fake referenda and
straw votes which have masquerad-
ed under the name of referenda, but
on real referenda questions he has
been consistently opposed to the
principle. His record
as a legislator speaks for itself"