Evening star., 1928-08-02
Bishop Cannon Corrects
Campaign Statement
To the Editor of The Star:

TO the Editor Oh Tne star.
Since the conference held at Ashe-
vile by the anti-Smith Democrats there
have appeared statements that the lead
ers of the anti-Smith Democrats ex-
pected the movement to be financed
by the Republican national committee;
indeed, that Bishop Cannon expressed
a willingness to accept campaign con-
tributions from the Republican ma
tional committee to help out the cause.
Although probably not Intentionally so,
these statements are incorrect. They
doubtless originated from a remark
which I made, quite incidentally, In q
conversation with Mr.. j. F.. Essary.
correspondent of the Baltimore Sun,
while 1 was standing at the cashiers
window paying my hotel bill at Ashe-
vile. Mr.. Essary asked II the head
quarters committee which had been
appointed would be willing to receive
contributions from Republicans. 1 re-
piled: Il have not considered that.
but certainly do not expect to in
vestigate every contribution which Is
made, whether 1t Is made by a Repub-
lican or Democrat. Even In the old
days / willingly received contributions
who wished to aid families which had
been ruined by their saloons. The
conference adopted no policy regarding
acceptance of money from Republicans,
and l know OF no reason why contri-
buttons should not be accepted from
any source without putting them under
the microscope to determine whether
they We're from Republicans or Demo-
Gratis. They will be used to preserve
Southern Democracy by the defeat Of
the wet Tammany Gov. Smith"
l did not at any time refer to the
Republican national committee, nor did
l understand Mr. Essarys question to
REFER to that committee. but to indi-
vloual Republicans. He may have un-
derstood me to include the Republican
national committee, but did not so
understand his question, and in my re-
ply had In mind contributions from
individual Republicans
Leaders OF the boilers" do not ex-
pect TO be financed by the Republican
national committee, but they expect
that money to finance the work of the
anti-Smith Democrats will be raised
by the same general methods which
have been employed successfully in car
rylng on the prohibition work for the
past 30 years. Cards have been printed
pleuSHlB the SlRnerS 10 vote and to
work against the election of Alfred
Emanuel Smith for the presidency, and
the signer is asked to make a contribu-
ton to aid in carrying on the work.
From five to ten million Of these cards
will be circulated within the next 30
days, and the leaders of the boilers"
expect the signers OF these cards will
subscribe a sufficient amount to finance
the work which will be carried on by
the headquarters committee OF the anti
Smith Democrats. to organize and TO
deliver at the polls on election day a
sufficient number Of voters to preserve
the ideals. self-reSpect and unity of
Southern Democracy by the defeat OF
the wet" Tammany governor for the
presidency, and by the election of dry"
Democratic senatorial, congressional
and State nominees.
do not think 1t is incumbent upon
US to pry into the political Affiliations
of each and every contribution to this
movement. We do not believe any one
will contribute for sordid reasons and
all contributions will be gratefully ac-
cepted. efficiently administered and
legally accounted for.
JAMES CANNON, JR.