Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-13
Protesting Parties.

Third-party movements are not pro-
crossing as smoothly this year as often
IN the past The futility of these sup
Elementary organizations of protest in
American politics. has been effectively
demonstrated IN previous campaigns.
and while still a considerable number
( Of voters continue to choose to follow
! The banners of hopeless causes on cleo
lion day the business of setting up in
dependent tickets has become more
difficult
/ Two So-called national conventions Of
protesting groups have Just been held
in Chicago. that of the Prohib;tionists
and that of the Farmer Laborites. The
former has succeeded in naming a
ticket, While the latter has been thus
far unable 10 fnd a candidate for the
presidency who is willing to run. The
ProhibitiOnlStS came within a narrow
margin of indorSing Hoover and placing
him on their ticket. finally selecting
well defined dry Of consistent record as
an independent. This process of NOM
ination was marked by an amusing IN
cident. when an effort. perhaps sim
cere. was made TO place the name of
the Democratic standard bearer upon
the Prohibitionist ticket.
The Farmer-Laborites are confronted
with the indisposition Of several more
or less eminent persons to lend their
names TO the cause They have failed
in the case of Senator Norris, who de-
clines the nomination with a statement
which repeats his views on the pro-
cedure Of nominating and electing cam
didateS for the highest Office and also
scores the prevalent policies regarding
the control of the great power resources
OF the country.
The Prohibitionists evidenced a dis
position to support the Republican
nominee, in effect By adopting a reso-
luton which empowers the national
committee to replace its nominees with
others If that becomes desirable. and
also TO bar Prohibition candidates for
presidential electors in any State where
such campaign might aid Gov. Smiths
chances. In other words. the national
committee may withdraw the Prohibi-
zionist ticket and indorse the Repub-
lican, and may keep Prohibitionist
electoral tickets out Of the contest in
close States.
An interesting development Of indie
pendence of action occurs in the an
nouncement by Senator La Toilette that
he will conduct his own campaign for
the Senate on the progressive platform
rejected by the Republican party at
Kansas City. In other words. he will
run on his own platform. without ac-
tually setting up as an independent and
without raising for his support a third
party, such as his father undertook to
form in 1924. He says nothing about
supporting Hoover in the national cam
paign, but there Is general feeling
that while he may not openly support
him. he will not oppose him. Which
leaves him in a rather comfortable posi-
ton in MS own State, and at the same
time leaves Hoover in position Of con-
siderable advantage there save as the
State may trend toward the Democratic
cause on the wet issue.
Now that the two major parties have
organized for the campaign, and most
If not all Of the third parties" have
set their lines, the political situation
may be regarded as having become sta
b!lized. Next win come the formal noti-
flcations, with resounding declarations
By the chairmen of the news breaking
committees and by the candidates The
date for Mr.. Hooyer's reception of the
tidings Of his nomination has been set.
That for the Democratic disclosure re-
mains to be determined. Meanwhile
both candidates are proceeding with
their vitality important work of prepare
ton for the real fight, which will begin
in about six weeks
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