Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-05

until May. At that time 1t will be de-
termined whether the delegation to the
national convention is to be instructed
and for whom, and whether 1t is to
operate under the unit rule. 1t may
be uninstructed There is no favorite
son candidacy here. 1t may be in
structed against Gov. Smith. II GER
tainly will not be instructed for the
New Yorker. or finally II may be ill.,
structed for some Democratic dry. who
will oppose Smith in the convention.
il the drys can settle upon some candi-
date among themselves in the mean
time for a rallying post against Smith
At present no such Democratic dry
has been picked.
Some of the leaders talk of Newton
D. Baker of Ohio. Owen Young of New
York. Meredith of Iowa. Donahey of
Ohio and Evans Woollen OF Indiana.
But there is no real sentiment for any
of them. Nor is there much talk at
this time Of Senator George OF Georgia,
whose candidacy has been announced,
although he is from a nelghboring State.
So the Democrats are watChfully walt
ing.
BleaSe Plan Uncertain.
What Senator Cole BleaSe will do in
the event of the nomination of Gov
Smith at the Houston convention is me
subject of some speculation here. Ii
the Senator should undertake 10 lead
the cause in this State for an indie
pendent dry Democrat for the preSi-
dency. il is admitted that he would go
far with il. He has a strong fc.loW-
ing among the Democrats OF the STATE
which would go wherever he led. HIS
recent speech IN the Senate, Wnen ne
suggested the nomination OF senator
Borah of Idaho, progressive Repuoll-
can. for President on the Democratic
ticket. and Senator Overman OF Nortn
Carolina for Vice President. has pu5zieo
some of the Democrats. Some OF theh
see in it a threat 10 split with tne
partv's national ticket should the noml-
nee be Smith.
The Ku Klux Khan has strength in
the state. II is expected 10 become
more and more active in its opposition
10 Smith as the pre-conventlon con-
tiuues and even after the nomination
is made. II Smith be the nominee. AT
present the national political situation
is being discussed comparatively little
the LEGISLATURE is still in session. anc
until il adiourns few weeks hence
the national political situation Is likely
to be in the background. The State
! holds no election for governor or fol
United States Senator this year. anc
for few local Offices. The members ol
the House are TO be elected and the
vote cast for President and Vice Presl-
dent.
Smith Has Some Support.
Despite the general opposition to Gov
Smith there are Democrats in the
state who favor him. Some Of them
see in the New Yorker the only man
who has any chance whatever TO VIII
the presidency this year. Some OF them
resent strongly the attacks which nave
been made upon him because he is
member of the Catholic Church. be-
lieving that religion should not be
mixed I'D In politics. They point "a
the fact that his career as Governor OF
New York has shown that he does not
mix his religion with his administration
of public Office At least two news
papers Of influence and standing In
the State are inclined TO support Smith,
the Charleston News and Courier and
the Columbia Record. But generally
speaking the press OF the State is
against him.
what the Republicans of South Car
DINA will do is largely on the lap OF the
gods and Mr.. Tolbert. and Will be de-
termined in great measure by what is
heard from Washington. Should the
administration forces make 1t clear
that Secretary Hoover is 10 be the man,
the South Carolina delegation is likely
TO be found ION the reservation" when
the national convention meets in June
The announced Republicans among the
white population. few and far between
have been friendly TO former Gov, Frank
o. Lowden of Illinois. Mr. Lowderl
has spoken in the State number OF
times particularly in regard TO the
farm problem. and has made friends
| here. He Is regarded as more OF an
organization man, for example, thar
Mr.. Hoover.
Supported Lowden in 1920.
The South Carolina delegation in
| 1920 supported Mr.. Lowden until the
break came to Harding. Some OF ths
delegates TO the convention IN 1924
| would have liked to support him foi
| President then also. but President
| Coolidge was the only man in tn
running. Some OF the South Carolinans
| take pride in the fact that they we're
| part of the drive 10 make Mr.. Lovder
| the Vice Presidential nominee and re-
GREETED that he declined. They would
| like TO support the former Illinois gov
| ernor for President again this year
Indeed II Is commonly reported that
National Committeeman Tolbert de-
clared himself coupe OF months age
! for Mr. Lowden. but that since then
he has drawn in his horns and Is talk
ing Of an uninstructed delegation. The
Republicans are 10 stage convention
here during the coming week and at
that time there may be further deve-
lopments.
In recent weeks Mr.. Tolbert has been
stirring about the state taking care
Of his fences He wants a convention
that will be amenabie 10 his dictation
and he wants a delegation 10 the ma
tional convention which he can con-
troll Most OF the Republican voters
in the State are negroes.
Most Of the presidential electors put
up by the Republicans have been and
will be negroes. and many Of the dele
gates 10 the national convention will
be negroes The State has ii votes
/ In the next convention.
Leadership Challenged.
Mr. Tolberts leadership has been
challenged in at least one quarter
colored lawyer. p J. Frederick q!