Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-26

for consideration. 1t comes from the
hands of Gov, Albert c. Ritchie of
MARYLAND. The committee has plankS
before il which lean as far to the dry
side as does the Ritchie plank to the
wet.
The predictions are that the Demo-
Gratis will adopt a law enforcement
plank. perhaps naming the prohibition
laws specifically and let it go at that.
Much will depend upon the attitude of
the Al Smith supporters,
Held State Problem.
Ritchie's plank declares that prohihi-
ton should be TUNED back to the
States" and declares that the eight
zenith amendment and the Volstead
act constitute a departure from the
principle of local government re-
served to the States. 1t follows:
The fundamental principle OF the
Democratic party has always been that
decentralization of power in the Fed
eral authorities and Federal invasion,
of the right of local self-government
reserved to the States is contrary to
the spirit of our institutions and de-
structive of the liberties OF our people.
The eighteenth amendment and the
Volstead act constitute q departure
from this principle AS long as the
eighteenth amendment is part of the
Constitution We recognize that 1t should
be upheld and respected. but We are
forced to realize that the Volstead act
has not attained and cannot attain the
ends sought by 1t and has caused dis
regard of law and order and condi-
ton of actual lawleSsneSs and social and
political Generalization that Is danger
Gus to the country.
we therefore believe that appropri-
ate steps should be taken by Congress
to have prohibition turned back TO the
States. so that each State within con-
Stitutional limitations and under the
principles of local option and home rule,
may have the opportunity of settling
1t in accordance with the will Of its
own people, and IN this connection we
favor also the enactment by Congress
of such measures as may be necessary
to prevent shipment into any State
which might contravene the expressed
will of the people of that State"
Three Days for Speeches.
Four years ago at Madison Square
Garden. with the resolutions commit
tee fighting behind closed doors, the
Democratic convention on Its second
day began to listen to speeches placing
the presidential candidates In nominal
ton, There were is candidates formally
nominated and seconded, with speeches
from the platform II took three days
to get all these speeches out of the
way, including demonstrations for Al
Smith and William Gibbs McAdoo, each
lasting an hour and quarter or more.
Today there appears to be only one
half as many candidates to be formally
placed in nomination II has been
limited that some of these may yet drop
out of the race and withhold their
names. The eight who may be nomi-
mated. however. are Smith of New
York. Reed of Missouri. Woollen of In
diana, Hull of Tennessee, George of
Georgia. Hitchcock of Nebraska, Jones
of Texas and pomerene of Ohio.
Gov. Ritchie and Senator Thomas ].
Walsh of Montana. both favofite son
candidates. have declared they will not
be placed in nomination. but win throw
their support to Gov Smith.
II took the Democratic convention
John w. Davis OF West Virginia for
delegate from New York. McAdoo and
Smith, the chief contenders in that
memorable struggle. until the delegates
in utter WEAKNESS compromised on
Davis, neither ever received a majority
OF the / ,098 delegate votes. then con-
stituting the convention, McAdoo went
as high at $50, and Smiths top mark
was 1853 To win the nomination here