Evening star., 1928-06-20
Ritchie Withdraws,

Gov. Albert c. Ritchie of Maryland
at a psychological moment before the
opening of the Democratic national
convention has withdrawn himself from
the race for the presidential ncmina-
ton and has announced his support
Of Gov. Alfred E. Smith of New York.
There has been little doubt for some
time whom Gov Ritchie favored for
President but his action now leaves
Marylan6's sixteen delegates free to
vote Immediately for the nomination of
Smith.
Gov. Ritchie has had no illusions
regarding his own candidacy. Smith
has made a runaway race for the dele
cations of the Eastern and Northern
States, which might otherwise have
turned to Gov. Ritchie because he too,
Is wet. There was the of chance
that II Smith were not nominated the
lightning might strike the Maryland
governor. But this was a slim chance,
for II the convention turns down the
wet New Yorker it will scarcely turn
to a wet Marylander
As a matter of fact, Gov. Ritchie,
whether Intentionally or not. has played
good politics in his withdrawal from
the presidential race of 1928. Despite
the uproar over prohibition made by
the vets in both parties. the movement
for the repeal of the eighteenth amend
ment has not yet made sufficient head
way to warrant the belief that any
decided wet can be elected President
OF the United States next November.
II may never make such headway. But
Il the vets are to have any chance
for the election of President who
sympathizes with them, it may come
IN 1882 rather than In 1928.
Gov. Ritchie is comparatively young
man He can well afford to wait four
years His withdrawal IN favor of the
pet Of New York's Democracy at this
time win make him friends in the
Empire State. When they cast about
four years from now for a presidential
candidate they might remember the
Governor Of Maryland. This possibility.
Of course. is predicated on the theory
that Gov Smith win be nominated
and defeated this wear.
The Governor OF Maryland is far
more widely known in the country at
large than he was four years ago, when
his name was presented to the Demo-
cratic national convention in Madison
Square Garden for the presidential
nomination. At that time he was one
Of group Of favorfte son candidates
put forward by that faction Of the
party which was seeking desperately to
prevent the nomination of william
Gibbs AlcAdoo. Ritchie held the State
delegation In line for ballot after bal
lot during that convention. This year
he is engaged In no coalition to defeat
the nofnination OF Smith. Far from
It. His recent statement taking him
self out Of the race may be merely a
bait IN the Smith interests, dangled
before the eyes Of other fayorite son
candidates. an example for them to 20
and do likewise.
For q year or more II has been
shrewdly suspected that Gov. Richie
had his eye more intently turned upon
1892 than upon 1923. It was understood
that he had no chance Of stopping"
Smith at Houston, even IL he desired
to do 50. Smith is 50 powerful a factor
In the Democratic party that he must
be disposed Of one way or the other
IL he sims the nomination and election
and goes into the White House in
March, 1929. that liz one thing. If ne
ss nominated and loses at the polls
next November. that is still another
thing II the latter happens. the field
win be wide open. In al! probability
four years from now for candidates
for the presidency from the Eastern
section Of the country as well az from
the West.