Evening star., 1928-10-25

vasS of the district I base my predic-
ton solely upon the attitude of those
with whom come in contact, and
nine-tenths of those are bitterly op-
posed to Gov. Smith for President, be-
lieving that in no single respect is he
At to sit in the seat filled by Virginians
such as Washington, Jefferson, Mad
ison, Monroe, Tyler and Wilson.
While the office holding class of
VirginianS have been lashed by their
leaders into apparent acquiesence in
support Of Gov. Smith, 1t must not be
forgotten that under the secret ballot,
which prevails in Virginia, the Office
holder does not vote in the booth,
claims to his masters that he will vote
The secret ballot is made part of the
Constitution of Virginia for the pur-
pose of protecting officeholders in the
difficult situation of having their mas
ters demand that, as price of their
attending to their public duties, they
must swear allegiance to a man who
violates every principle they have been
taught from their infancy. Fortunately,
the secret ballot allows them to vote
as their conscience dictates"
Mr.. Lyon has been telling this sort
of thing over and over again to the
Democratic voters of the eighth dis
trict at meetings which he has ad-
dressed.
The Republican leaders of the district
at a recent meeting told their party
workers that if they could put into the
ballot boxes November as many votes
for Hoover as were put there for Hard
ing In 1920, the district could be car
ried for the Republican presidential
candidate this year; for the Hoover
Democrats will, in their opinion, supply
the remainder of the necessary Hoover
votes. That is the way the Republicans
are figuring and that is the sole basis
of their hope that they will carry the
district for President.
Scratching Advised.
The Republican strategy goes so far
as advice to the voters Of that party
to scratch Smith and Robinson at the
head of the ticket andklet their votes
go for Senator Swanson and Repre-
sentative Moore, Democrats, so as to
swell the total vote for these two men
as much as possible, while at the same
time keeping down to a minimum the
Smith vote.
The Republicans, like the Democrats,
are organized in every one OF the 10
COUUII6o Vi AOt pAAA AL 1A~N<>
andria City. The Republican district
organization Is more active than 1t has
been at any other time in the last 70
years.
It is admitted by the Republicans
and the anti-Smith leaders that by va
rious methods the regular Democratic
organization is bringing decisive pres
sure to bear upon many Democrats VINO
are reluctant to vote for Smith. and
winning many of them over to him.
Joseph L. Crupper of Arlington County,
member Of the Republican State exec
utive committee and former Repub-
lican State chairman, told The Star
that in his opinion the lash" Wnicn
is being applied by pro-Smitn leadeIS
to the rank and file of the party would
result in more Democrats staying away
from the polls entirely than votes Tor
Smith.
Everywhere one goes in the eighth
district evidence of the unuSual--the
unprecedented of political
affairs there is found. 1t seems, even to
many of the most ardent Republicans
hardly possible that this normally Dcm-
ocratic section of the Old Dominion Will
give a majority to the Republican
presidential nominee. They just cannot
bring themselves to believe In mir
acles." But they and the anti-Smith
Democrats are working as they never
worked before, and working toward a
common end, wondering what VIII
happen. -
Most persons, regardless OF party, ao,
nit that If the district Is to be carried
for Smith there will have to be the
hardest kind Of work in every voting
precinct with no let-up, even on the
yerv day of the election. Such was the
opinion of a staff correspondent OF the
Richmond News-Leader. who made
survey of the district for that Demo.
cratic newspaper. 1t is the opinion OF
many regular Democrats, even those
who feel certain that in the end they
will be able to carry the district for
Smith,