Evening star., 1928-11-04
Gov SMITHS MADISON SQUARE GARDEN SPEECH

be solved by the application OF the
Democratic and JefferSonian theory of
States rights. l strongly believe that
the right of a State to be dry should
be respected. I believe in continuing
the protection of the eighteenth
amendment for the State that desires
to be dry: but at the same time be-
lieve the State that desires a change
should be permitted to have 1t after a
majority vote of all Its citizens under
the restrictions and safeguards laid
down by me In my speech of ac-
ceptance.
AS to the Volstead act I am con-
vinced that the present definition OF
what constitutes an intoxicant Is not
based upon study or upon scientific
research Unquestionably the present
drastic definition of what constitutes an
intoxicant has driven millions OF citi-
zenS from the use of harmless bever-
ages to the use of hard liquors, which
are more easily obtained. more easily
transported and which are legally man
ufactured In so many countries In con-
slant trade and commerce with the
United States.
AS said In my speech of acceptance.
two duties devolve upon the President
of the United States with respect to
these laws. The first is to enforce
them. That l promise to do to the
best of my ability. The second duty Is
to recommend the changes he deems
advisable / will recommend to Con-
gress the changes l have indicated in
accordance with my speech of accept
ance. Further than that I believe 1t
to be my duty to carry this matter to
the American people and lay the facts
before them, and let them make the
decision.
AS against this clear-cut and straight
forward attitude, let us take a look into
the Republican household. We start
with the candidate himself, who refers
to prohibition as a noble experiment,
but who makes no suggestion for any
change or improvement in existing con-
ditions. In his speech of acceptance he
said he would appoint a commission to
look into it, That Is an entirely un-
necessary performance. 1t has been
investigated by the Senate and the
record is all in Washington.
Refers to sham Battle"
Senator Borah, speaking for the Re-
publican candidate, said that the main
tenance of the eighteenth amendment
and the Volstead act in their present
form Is the paramount issur CT this
campaign and proclaims the Republican
party to be unalterably committed to
that course. Former Gov. Hughes made
light of the whole question. He treat
cd it facetiously and said that so far
as prohibition Is concerned, Smith and
Hoover are engaged in sham battle
and there is nothing that can be done
about it. When Mr.. Hughes made that
statement he was following up the
~; ~
ing on in the Eastern part of this cOun-
try to the effect that Smith can do
nothing: that there Is not any use vot-
ing for Smith because Of his ideas with
regard to prohibition. because he will
be helpless.
With this vigorously disagree.
Something can be done about it: some
thing must be done about it and II
am elected something will be done
about 1t.
The Republican party would be unable
to sustain it's opposition to my program
of States rights Ii they were true to
their own platform. 1t makes very
glowing declaration in favor of the prin-
ciple of States rights when 1t says: t.
There is real need in the country
today to revitalize fundamental princi-
piles. There Is real need OF restoring
the individual and local sense of re-
Sponsibility and self-reliance. There Is
a real need for the people once more to
grasp the fundamental fact that under
our system of government they are ex-
p2cted to solve many problems them
selves under their municipal and State
governments"
Senator Borah, however, welded to
the eighteenth amendment and the Vol
stead act, would rip this declaration
from his own party platform. Gov.
Hughes admits the helplessness OF his
own party to make good that declara-
ton of political faith, and Mr.. Hoover