Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-02-19
SMlTHLOSINC
IN TEXAS IS
WAIDE'S idea
South Section Strong
For New York Gov
ernor But North Is
Not, Writer Says
ny c. ID. wAIDE)
Especial N The Herafdl

Especial to The Herald)
AUSTIN, Texas, Feb. 1s.-It Is
entirely too early to make any pre-
oictions rs to what the state demo-
cratic convention is going 20 do
when IL meets On May %, but a de-
eided trend IL new developing that
may make predictions safe within n
lew short weeks.
Smith is losing ground in Texas
now, II dependence may be placed in
reports coming from all sections OF
= state, and IL would seem now
that his losses will continue. This
10 the fair and impartial judgment
o. q writer whose personal leanings
are toward Smith.
smith H. strong in South Texas,
and especially in Houston, where
there seems q prevailing opinion
can win, and that he must be norni-
mated. But in North Texas. esre-
cially in those counties that were ia
Dvorable to Butte against Mrs. Fer.
guson, sentiment against Smith
seems to be getting stronger.
Opposition Unorgsnixed
While some Of the opponents Of
Smith are frank in giving their rsa-
sons, especially the real prohibit
tionists, yet the religious opposition
10 almost as strong. But it is cloak
ed under the prohibition question.
In other words, the old guard of the
klan and others who are bitter
against the Catholics do not, as a
rule, base their opposition on that
ground, but on the prohibition ques-
ton.
c. r. - A.. c-;.k anna
sition is without organization. Nu-
merous prominent citizens have de-
clared themselves against b New
disjointed, disorganized manner.
II the Smith opposition become; or;
sanized its weight will be realized
more forcibly.
Now that the honor of having the
national convention has become ad.
justed TO the heads Of the Texas
voters they are beginning to think
more about their own votes. Hous-
ton leaders and some few other cit
liens have been emphasizing the
duty Of Texas to keep out OF n
party fight, and support the nomi-
nee. But q growing resentment
against that advice is coming to the
fore. The anti-Smith crowd remem-
bers that New York didn't do that
four years ago and they have no in
tention of letting the laws of hos
pitality supsrcede their rights Of
suffrage.
Moody IN Danger
II Dan Moody doesn't keep a close
eye on his friends they are likely to
do him a grave injustice at the state
Aan. TkAAA - 49, Aa.v e.sk-
stantial element in the state that
instructed for Moody with a hope Of
nominating him for president or
vice president. Another. still larger,
as a simple favorite-son gesture,
which 10 the recognized equivalent
Of no instructions. Another element,
hoping the delegation may be con-
trcllable. want the same thing with
q view 10 swinging the 4 votes else
where at at the right time.
And there is where danger lies for
Dan. IL he permits the delegation
TO be instructed for him. and then il
is thrown for or against Smith,
Moody will get the blame. II might
be that common sense would die
tate the support Of Smith, but the
ardent anti-Smith crowd would
blame Moody-and that just three
weeks before the state primaries, in
which Moody probably will be a can
didate for reelection, or nomina-
ton.
May Block Smith
On the other hand, the Texas del
= egstion might block the nomination
ef Smith at the crucial moment. and
Moody would get the blame. Or 1t
might fight Smith TO the last mo-
rnent, when his nomination was as
Sured, thus losing for the state any
credit for his success, and Moody
would be blamed.
Moody doesn't want the ncmina-
tion for vice presidency. very few
sincerely think he can have the
Nomination for the presidency.
therefore it seems to this writer
that the governors real friends will
keep his name out of the muddle. A
fs~vorite-son instruction has become
On idle gesture that scarcely car
ried with it any honor these days.
On the other hand it makes a goat
Of the said favorite son, or would
In Moody's case.
plan TO instruct for Moody is going
70 get stronger and stronger. ANTI
Smith forces are going TO adopt il
Dss q means of preventing instruc-
lions favorable to Smith; Smith
forces will adopt it in the hope that
after the third or fourth ballot they
can throw the delegation to their
candidate, and in either event Dan
~n,ff unf fha klara