Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-09-28
Smiths right Here May Be or
New Type.


Governor Smiths candidacy has intro
duced so many new factors into the cam
paien that political observers say it is
impossible to predict the type of race the |
Democratic nominee will make in Balti-
more.
Democratic leaders. speaking for publi- |
cation, have predicted his majority in the |
city would be ct least 10000. Republican
leaders assert that IL Hoover does not carry
Baltimore. he will lose it by a margin OF
less than 10000.
Neither side can prove their assertions,
although both offer arguments to substan-
tiate their contentious. The Democratic
meeting at the Maryland Theater Tuesday
night was one Of the largest and most en-
thusiastic ever held here in Presidential
campo ign without the presence of one Of
the two heads Of the ticket The same is
true of some Of the county meetings.
The Republicans have yet to bold city
wide meeting. When they begin to hold
such meetings, 1t may be found that their
campaign is attracting as much enthusiasm
as that Of the opposition. That the people
Of Maryland are taking an intense interest
in this campaign is apparent everywhere
from Western Maryland down to the coun-
ties Of the Eastern Shore.
Although it is impossible yet to guase
the exact current Of sentiment that is max
ing no ripples on the political surface, GER
tain facts and circumstances are apparent.
In the first place Maryland normally Is
Democratic only in State elections. The
State went Republican twice for Mckinley
and once for Roosevelt. Taft, Harding and
Coolidge. Woodrow Wilson twice carried
il, and Grover Cleveland had Marylands
vote in all three Of his campaigns.
10 1924, Coolidge carried the State by
approximately $4,000. Robert M. La Fol-
lette, running on the third party ticket.
received $4,000, or more than 10 per cent
OF the total vote cast. The largest So
cialist vote ever cat in Maryland was for
Debs in 1920. 1t was slightly more than
5000. and il is agreed generally that the
Socialists contributed not more than 1000
votes to La Toilette.
Therefore, at least $4,000 votes that
went to the third party came from either
OF the two major parties. Democratic
leaders have contended that the La Fol-
lette candidacy was responsible for Mary
land going Republican in l924-that the
majority of the votes he received came
from Democrats.
With no third party in the field this
year, Democratic leaders confidently ex-
poet Governor Smith to receive al least
seventy-five per cent. Of the vote that
went to La Toilette in Baltimore, where he
obtained 32.958 votes. II this is true, the
Democrats will get approximately $4,000
votes from this source. which they did not
have in 1924.
The Democratic estimate is based on the
theory that Governor Smiths candidacy
represents the liberal view of American
politics and represents many of the things
that La Toilette advocated, Persons who
voted for La Toilette. it is argued. would
be attracted more easily toGovernor Smith
than to Me-. Hoover.
Many Of those associated with the La
Toilette movement in Maryland already are
at work for Governor Smith. The normal
Socialist vote. however. is expected TO 90
to Norman Thomas. the Presidential candi-
date OF that party.
Democratic leaders further assert that
| 10 fhn iraa Nh,
more, and In many counties will be split
In Baltimore this vote opportunities 25-
600. Governor Richie, In some of his
campaigns, ii is believed. received as MANY
as 1000 negro votes.
But in the November election, the Demo-
cratic leaders assert. as many negroes as
vote for Mr. Hoover will vote for the Demo-
cratic nominee. The reason for this de-
lection from the Republican ranks, as re-
ported to be nationwide. is that Governor
Smith attracts the negroes as no other
Democrat has.
Most Of the negroes. IL is asserted. are
opposed to prohibition. and they like Gov
ernor Smith for his attitude on that ques-
ton. As Governor Of New York he has been
sympathetic to legislation designed to aid
the educational and physical development
OF the negro. 1t is pointed out.
But the reason assigned as the most
appealing is that in Governor Smith the
negro sees symbol OF protection against
such groups as the Ku klux Khan. They
know, It is argued. that this Group is as
opposed to Governor Smith as L Is to them. |
and that he would do nothing to encourage |
the khan activities.
Some Democrats and many Republicans
hold serious doubts that the negro vote Of
Baltimore will be of any aid 10 the demo.