Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-30
Smiths Last Word.

Gov. Alfred &. Smith of New York,
the latest nominee Of the Democratic
party for President, in telegram read
10 the Democratic national convention
SIS it was about to adjourn, frankly an
nounced that he would recommend
changes in the prohibition laws II he
became President. At the same time
he declared unequivocally that II he
bscame President he would do his best
10 see that the laws are enforced. He
included the prohibition laws in this
declaration.
The Governor of New York did not
urge that the Democratic platform be
changed. He merely gave his interpre-
tation of it. To Gov Smith there is
nothing in the platform which would
In any event stand against the modtfi-
cation of the prohibition laws or the
repeal of the eighteenth amendment
In this Interpretation he is quite cor
rect. The platform frankly sidesteps
the prohibition issue on its merits and
merely declares for the enforcement Of
the laws as long as they are the laws.
ProhibitionistS in the Democratic
party like Senator Carter Glass Of Viz
GINA profess themselves undisturbed by
the announcement of Gov. Smith. They
point out that the platform is the plat
form and insist that Gov. Smith cannot
change it. This is perfectly true. The
Governor of New York has not sought
10 change it in his telegram to Senator
Robinson, permanent chairman Of the
convention. He has shown 1t up as 1t
really is. Senator Glass and others
maintain that Gov. Smith, If he be-
comes President cannot change the law
or repeal or modify the eighteenth
amendment TO the Constitution, that
this is a power reserved TO Congress,
and that as long as Congress maintains
a dry majority the law viii not be
changed regarding prohibition.
But the milk in the cocoannt after all
is something else. II Smith, wet, is
elected to the presidency, it win be a
victory for the vets, even though he
may be aided by the dry Democratic
States Of the South. And If a Presi-
dent Of the United States with wet lean
ings Is elected. it may have its effect
upon the election Of Congress. The
vets are counting greatly upon such
Nationwide victory. They believe that
members Of the House and Senate, II It
Is demonstrated that a wet can win ma
taonalIy, viii become less dry politically
themselves.
Cor. Smith did not ask that his
partys platform be changed. II he had.
Ii would have been extremely embar-
RAISING for the national convention.
which had adopted the prohibition
plank drafted in such q manner as to
appease both the very drys and the very
vets. What he has done Is merely TO
give ibis own position in regard 10 pro-
hibiti0n. He has again indicated clearly
that he is opposed TO the principle, al
though he has heretofore definitely
come out against return to the old
corner saloon days. It was frank and
honest statement. But after all his po-
sation has never been mystery TO the
convention which nominated him. Nor
man z. Mack, Democratic national COM
fnftteeman for New York, made that
clear when he arrived In Houston more
than q week ago. But the Smith sup
parters at that time did their best TO
soft-pedai the governors opposition TO
the prohibition laws.
The presidential candidate Of the
Democratic party is after all his own
platform. No one expected really that
he would be other than that. His Is the
last word. George z. Brennan Of Illi-
iaois made that clear when he asserted
that the candidate is the thing, and
that the platform did not change the
situation 50 far as Smith is concerned