Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-21
Gov. Smith S Reply.

Gov Smiths reply to William Allen
Whites attack upon his record as AS
sen,blynar in the New York State
Legislature has been prompted by the
issuance by the Republican publicity
committee in New York of the Kansas
editors statement regarding the with
Srawal of certain portions of his at
tack. The implication is that but for
this apparent adoption OF the White
charge as campaign material by the
Hoover organization the governor would
not have recognized 1t. He had, how
ever. in the first stage of the contro-
versy. returned vigorous answer to
Mr. White. who had promptly returned
an elaboration Of his original assertions
based upon the record of the governor
as a legislator.
This is Gov. Smiths last word on the
subject. he saws. Whether Mr. White
will return to the contest with reioinder
remains TO be seen. Considering the
case closed. however, as far as the gov
ernor is concerned, the record is ex-
planned in a manner to give perfect
satisfaction to his admirers, and it may
be 70 the conviction in his favor Of
those who were possibly lowering be-
tween support and opposition.
In his analysis Of the record Of his
legislative votes Gov. Smith shows that
none Of the measures in question was
IN vital relation to the saloon, that they
were all minor matters, corrective OF
technicalities and that they were
strongly. in one case unanimously, sup
ported by the members of the Assembly,
both Republicans and Democrats. The
governor aSsuredly meets the charges
frankly and fully.
1t Is important to note that despite
Mr.. Whites withdrawal Of the charges
relating to the votes in support of
gambling and prostitution, Gov. Smith
carries his summary OF his legislative
conduct throughout the entire list,
showing that his votes on measures
bearing upon these two evils were not
subject to Characterization as In aid Of
the practices. Thus II Mr.. White re-
turns to the contest and reopens the
chapters which he closed with his with
crawals he viii find that the subject
has been already disposed Of, finally as
far as the governor is concerned. as
Stunning that the latter does not again
ind that his restraint cannot be main
tanned In the face Of continued attacks.
incidentally 1t is indicated plainly
that Gov Smith regards the Straton IN
eident as closed. He viii not debate
with the minister, who accused him Of
being foe to moral progress. 1t would
probably have been wiser IL he had not
taken cognizance Of the pulpit remarks.
Having done so. In the form Of chal-
ienge 10 q debate, he has failed to ar
range the terms Of the meeting to his
satisfaction and refuses further contro-
yersy. His present reply TO Editor White
may be accepted. therefore, as In lieu
OF his response to the ministerial critic.
Taken as whole, Gov. Smith has
come through with an explanation OF
his record as legislator in manner
that does not leave his critics with much,
Il any. material for attack. He voted
as did the ma jority OF the Legislature
for the correction Of certain conditions
affecting the dispensing Of liquor, which
was then legal. Had he done this at the
outset, Immediately upon the appear
ance Of the charge that as legislator
twenty years ago he acted as the friend
Of the saloon this unseen1ly spectacle
Of mud singing" and Ill temper would
kpye oAeya av0tSad