Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-23
Gov Smiths Salutatory.

milton Of views and purposes, Gov
Smiths speech Of acceptance. delivered
YESTERDAY at Albany. is admirable il
leaves nothing 10 be imagined or de
6u-as YeeayS.ne the issues Of the cam
rairn. This vas TO have been expected
from enc WHO throughout his public
career has been given to frank and eX-
plscle statements regarding matters OF
moment 70 the people.
There are no surprises" IN the
speech. It does rot at any point go
counter to the expectations raised by
Gov. Smiths previous declarations or
actions. Interest naturally centers upon
his statements in reference to prohiol-
tion. The speech Of acceptance is an
elaboration Of his telegram 10 the ma
Conal convention at Houston. He would
submit TO the people tire question OF
sonae change in the provisions OF the
eighteenth amendment" This IS some
what IN advance of previous declara-
ttons. being different from the mere
amendment Of the enforcement laws
enacted BY Congress. This change, ne
indicates. should take the form and be
TO the effect Of giving to each incivid-
ual state. after approval by a refer
endl,nl popular vote Of its people, the
right wholly within its borders to i'm
port. manufacture or cause to be man
ufactured and sell alcoholic beverages,
the sale to be made only by the State
itself and not for consumption in any
pablic place" In short, Gov. Smith S
specific prescription for the Ills OF pro-
hibition as now practiced is TO allow
the States to determine for themselves
the question Of engaging in State con-
trolled and administered liquor trafflc
Meanwhile. pending such change
In the constitutional amendment, Gov.
Smith would afford some immediate
relief" through an amendment TO the
volstead law giving a scientific defni-
ton Of the alcoholic content Of an
intoxicating beverage. leaving each
state 70 fix its own standard, not ex-
ceeding that fixed by Congress.
Here is q definite proposition. First,
change ii the statutory enactment Of
Congress, establishing a maximum Of
alcoholic content, with the States con-
forming to that maximum and adopting
their own preferred standards; second,
change in the fundamental constiru-
ttonal law 10 leave the whole question
% tie States for definition and en-
forcement within their boundaries, the
traffic TO be under State administration,
With no places Of public consumption.
Il cannot be said by Gov. Smiths
opponents that he fails 10 meet the
issue with indirection or vagueness. He
Is specific. He stands, he declares,
against the saloon and in favor Of le-
galized liquor traffic conducted by the
States. with a maximum Of alcoholism.
Upon that statement Of the matter ne
rests his case before the country.
In respect to the Republican party's
performances ard record Gov. Smith
adopts the role Of the aggressive critic.
He points ont iniquities that four years
ago we're the cause Of sweeping In
dictmeat Of that party which the cleo
torate refused 10 heed. He assaik as
urdeserved the claim of the Repubii-
cars that their party has been the
medium and cause through legislation
and administration Of the prosperity
with which the country has been blessed
fer seven and half years He scores
the claim that the tax burden upon
the people has been ligntened by Re-
publican management and legislation.
He assaLs the claim that the Repub-
llcaga tariff is a factor for the national
welfare. II this passage in the speech
Of acceptance Gov. Smith Is at his
best. though he furnishes material for
refoir2der that viii probably enliven the
campaign somewhat after the manner
Ct cid.
II was 2 good speech, ringing with
telling phrases. charged with ar ear
nest spirit II gives the Democratic
campaign a momentum. Il does not
greatly. Il at all. strengthen the bid
for tne support Of the discontentec
farmers. but it does not weaken il foi
tack e explicit remedy for tieir Ills
i Is a2o2eiaer 9 performance thal
serves 70 keep The campaign upon tf'
higher Level Of contest and 20 arous'
tre interest and arrest the attention
q tHe American people.
-~-~-~--+ $50 a---~
in . tatzea tlapter one Is THE Hop
&c = WIN La.r-.*..s ~ n many casea Z