Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-30
Two POst-Nomination kilograms.

Gov. Smiths telegram to Senator
Robinson, chairman OF the Democratic
national convention. accepting the
nomination for President and in effect
declaring for modification of the pro-
hibition enforcement act, recalls the
famous gold telegram" of Judge Alton
B. Parker to representative in the
Democratic national convention at st.
Louis in 1904. The two situations were
somewhat similar, though there were
differences. Judge Parker had been
nominated on the first ballot, as was
Gov Smith. The platform had been
adopted at st. Louis after a sharp fight
in committee and on the floor. The
Houston platform had been framed
after long contest in committee. but
had been accepted by the convention
without dissenting vote. The ST. Louis
platform was silent on the subject Of
the monetary standard, which had
been the chief feature of the two pre-
ceding platforms OF the party, in terms
on the subject were not definitely
known by some of his proponents at
the convention, according to their
statements. Gov. Smiths views on the
subject Of prohibition were quite well
known and understood. The platform
plank on that topic was a compromise
between the vets and the dryS. and
did not altogether square with Gov.
Smiths concept on the subject.
After Judge Parker had been nomi-
mated, and just as, on the next day, the
convention at st. Louis was about to
proceed to nominate a candidate for
Vice President, telegram from him
was received by William F. Sheehan,
the nominees representative and nom
nation manager, in the following
terms:
I regard the gold standard as firmly
and irreVocably established, and shall
act accordingly If the action of the con-
yention today shall be ratified by the
people. AS the platform is silent on
the subject. my view should be made
known TO the convention. and If 1t is
proved to be unsatisfactory TO the ma
jority ! request you to decline the NOM
ination for me at once, so that another
may be nominated before adjournment.
This statement Of Judge Parker's po-
sition caused great commotion. When
it was read to the convention there was
a disposition toward reconsideration,
which was checked by the leaders. John
Sharp williams of Mississippi proposed
and the convention adopted the follow
ing text Of message to be sent to
Judge Parker:
The platform adopted by this con-
vention is silent on the monetary stand
ard because it is not regarded by us
as an issue in the campaign. There
fore, there Is nothing in your telegram
which would preclude your acceptance
Of the nomination.
That settled the matter. Judge
Parker accepted the nomination and
went into the campaign. in opposition
to Theodore Roosevelt, who was elected.
The absence OF any reference to the
monetary standard made the Demo-
cratic platform stand out in sharp con-
trast TO the two Immediately preceding.
The Democratic party had by irnplica-
ton, after two defeats, changed its poll
icy. Judge Parker was justified In de-
handing to know where he and the
party stood In respect to this question,
which had been so distinctly the issue
in 1896 and, to less degree but never
theless definitely, an issue in 1900.
Gov. Smith, confronted by q plat
form which, without Affirming belief in
the Righteousness Of prohibition, pledged
strict enforcement OF that principle
under the Constitution and the law.
was within his rights In notifying the
convention, before it had adjourned,
that he would, II elected, propose mod
ifcations.
In 1904 Judge Parker's nat declara-
ton for the gold standard. after nom
nation, deprived the Democratic
binetaliists of inspiration for enthusi-
astic support. Gov Smiths telegram is
calculated TO do the same for the DEM
ocratic prohibitionists this year.
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Missouri bands played "You Gotta