Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-10-10
DEMS ARE THE
UNDERDOCS IN
ROCKY STATES
Spurred e. Reports Of
Normally C. o. P.
Vote in Montana,
Wyoming, Idaho

HELENA. Mont, Oct. 1o.-P-
Three Rocky Mountain states with
a total Of IL electoral votes consti-
tute another field in which demo-
Gratis face the challenge of normal"
republican maiorities in presidential
elections.
In Montana. Wyoming and Idaho
the issues are virtually the same as
IN other parts Of the country. with
tariff. farm relief and prohibition
problems taking the spotlight more
or less in one or another.
The normal republican majority in
presidential elections in Montana is
10000, yet both senators and one
OF It's two representative arc demo-
Gratis, as is Gov. John T.. Erickson.
sen. Burton X. Wheeler and other
political forecasters have asserted
the prospects for Alfred +. Smith
70 be bright. though only twice in
I the past 20 years have the states
Tour electoral votes gone TO a demo-
crat. Senator Wheeler and Sen. r.
>. walsh are leading the demo-
cratic national fight in Montana.
Prohibition is to receive its share
OF attention, the state dry laws hav-
ing been repealed by initiative two
years ago. and the organized prohi-
bition forces this year being en-
gagged IN strenuous campaigning for
their cause.
The agricultural Issue appears para
mount. Montana being primarily a
farming state. Both parties claim
the farm vote on the strength Of
their platforms and promises. the
republicans emphasizing their tariff
record as well.
While facing the same almost
continuous 20-year record OF repub-
lican victory. and the conceded pop
ularity of Sen. William z. Borah,
state republican chieftain, democrats
IN Idaho profess to discern encour-
aging trends IN popular sentiment
this autumn which give them hope
70 capture the states four votes.
They are relying on the popularity
Of Governor Smith and OF Mayor c.
Ben Ross Of Pocatello, their candi-
date for governor, as we'll as on
what they declare is discomfort. ex-
tending even to republican circles,
with the operation Of what is known
In the state a the "Gooding republic
can machine"
Republicans place Senator Borah's
popularity against hat Of Governor
Smith. and are counting on large
numbers of progressives, or non
partisan leaguers, largely farmers,
to follow him in supporting Hoover.
Idaho was dry long before national
prohibition. and republican leaders
cite this fact as strengthening their
homes.
In Wyoming. again. the democrats
must lasso at least 5000 republican
votes to win. as they have done
the few times they have elected a
candidate in the past. They claim
considerable sentiment for Governor
Smith. however. and Fred ". John
son Of Rock Springs. chairman Of
the Western States Smith-for-Presi-
dent association. former Gov. Nellie
Tayloe Ross Of Wyoming, and ]. c..
OMahoney Of Cheyanne. democratic
leader. have been advocating his
candidacy since before the Houston
convention.
Former Governor Ross has mini
mixed the importance OF the prohibi-
tion question in the state and has
attacked lax enforcement under the
present republican administration"
Wyoming voted dry. effective 1919.
but there is a decided wet sentiment
which may bring a noticeable vote
to the democrats. Some candidates
concede. however, that Smith will
have a difficult time swinging the
states three votes to his column.
Tariff is emphasized BY republi-
cans as the only issue. and in the
past Wyoming has demonstrated il
considers the protective tariff neces-
sary to its prosperity.
In the absence of a E~ubernztorial
contest. Governor Smith will have
Sen. John 3. Kendrick. ONLY demo-
crat 10 be reelected to office in
Wyoming. at the head Of his ticket.
and Rep. Charles z. Winter. his OBJ
ponent. will lead the republican
state ticket.