The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-08-11
Fiery Democratic Activity and
Studied Republican Quiet
Features
Smiths Offer to Debate DR..
ton Attracts Varied
Attention
BY BYRON PRICE

BY BYRON PRICE
(Assoeiated PRESS Staff Writer)
Washington. Aug. 1l.-M-That
oftcn-rcpeated prophecy Of = spec
tacular, history-making, political
campaign in 1923 now seems to be
speeding toward complete fulfill
ment
A week Of fiery Democratic activ.
ity and studied Republican quiet has
preceded the Hoover notification
ceremonies 1T which the Republican
campaign is to be formally af1Gl
late TO-DAY. During that week all Of
the highly explosive controversial les
that surround this unusual battle for
a. presidency have been brought to
the point Of open discussion in high
Democratic places. The Democratic
leaders now speak directly OF
"bigotry" and OF q whispering
religious campaign" against their
nominee. Governor Smith, himself
has challenged = celebrated Baptist
clergyman, DIR. John Roach Srraton
of New York, to debate from tho
pulpit his long record in public
office and h.j right to moral leader
ship.
Meantime, as they scnverged On
the silent precincts of stanford Uni
versity tor today's notification cere-
monies the Republican leaders, like
their candidate, have been saying
nothing on these subjects, and almost
nothing on any other. 1t has pecn
given out that the ceremonies tkem.
selves will be Of the n.nss quiet and
dignified character; that once he has
formally accepted the nomination,
Secretary Hoover will maks . few
campaign trips and do no barn
storming; and that. finally, the Re.
publican campaign will lot really
begin at all until af:"r Smiths noti.
fication at Albany On August ~.
Outside the central organizations
Of the two major parties. .hc weak's
political news has included deci-
sion by the executive council Of the
American FEEDER alton Of abor to
remain neutral; : speech Of accert.
ance by the prob ,Dltio:. parry NOM
inee tor the presidency, William F.
Varney, in which he accused the
party of Hoover Of betraying the
eighteenth amendment and said he
saw no reason to expect ANGLING
better under Smith; and Il Miscel-
lany of state primary elections,
whose significance are matters Ut
dispute.
Debate Attracts Interest
Among all Of these Developments,
Governor Smiths offer to debate
next month with DR.. Straton, who
had attacked him lroln the pulpit Of
the Calvary Baptist chIlc., attract
ed tho most varied attention. II
the meeting materiaii1es, " it ap-
parently will, millions will fi9ur-
atively sit in the congregation. For
similar attacks on the governors
Tammany associations have been
made from many other pulpits, par
ticularly in the south.
Some Of the Democratic leaders
have not hesitated to ascribe the
southern bolt, in part, 1t least, to Z
hostility based on Smiths member.
ship in the Roman Catholic church.
Chairman Raskob himself has pub.
licly accused Bishop. Cannon, leader
of the anti.Smith southern move-
ment. Of "bigotry." Senate: Ed.
wards Of New Jersey declared Smith
was being subjected to . whispering
campaign on the religious issue, and
Smiths running mate, Senstor Rob-
inson, has told = meeting Of his
neighbors that ministers Of the Cos
pei "invite laughter when they wills.
pered that if Mr.. Smith becomes
president the priests will dominate
the 60. eminent"
The practice Of the Republican
managers iE to make no comment on
these subjects. At the outset, Re.
publican headquarters promised that
so far as it was concerned, the cam.
paign would be fought out on issues
other than religion.
Farm Issue Coufpses
In the farm relief sector, the
issue b becoming increasingly con-
fused. Smiths rejection Of the
equalization fee apparently surprised
some leaders In the farM country.
There was further speculation about
Chairman Raskob's appointment Of
Prof. E. r. A. Seligman OF Columbia
to make . scientific study Of the
whole problem. On top Of this
Frank w. Murphy Of Minnesota, .
delegate to the Republican national
convention and . leader in the fight
for a McNary-Haugen plank in tie
platform, issued = statement that
everybody seems to have taken to
mean he would support Smith. and
then issued another saying he only
had meant he was against Hoover"
All Of which leaves the situation
in . state Of waiting for the outline
Of firm views both candidates have
promised in their acceptance