Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-09

lature has only handful of Democrats
in both houses, and the entire delega-
ton in the House of Representatives
at Washington is Republican.
Has Strong Friends.
Mr.. Hoover has his strong friends in
Connecticut as he has in other States.
But he is not as widely known to the
voters as is Gov. Smith. Indeed, it is
no secret that Republican leaders of
Connecticut, with a few exceptions,
we're strong for the denomination of
President Coolidge or for the nominal
ton Of Charles Evans Hughes, believ-
ing that either one Of them would make
a stronger run against Gov. Smith than
Mr.. Hoover. Under the leadership of
National Committeeman Roraback, the
Connecticut delegation at Kansas City
stood out till the end for the rcnomi-
nation of President Coolidge. But there
is no doubt now but what the State
organization and Mr.. Roraback are
firmly behind Mr.. Hoover and will give
their best efforts to garry the State for
him.
If noise and enthusiasm could elect
Gov. Smith, he is as sure of carrying
Connecticut over his Republican oppo-
nent as anything in this world could
be, judged w the SpectacleS presented
in the Republican and Democratic State
conventions. The Republicans met in
the Hyperion Theater, across the street
from the Yale campus. 1t was digni-
fed. bushes ;e affair, with polite
handclapping, and a few, very few,
cheers. 1t ran off according to form
and specifications without real hitch.
If there was any soreness, it was I'M
der the surface, and the organization
had at all times perfect control. The
keynote speaker, Representative Mer-
ritz delivered a we'll constructed adj
dress. with jibes here and there at Gov.
Smith, whom he characterized as a
good spender," pointing out that I'M
der Gov. Smiths administration the
public debt of New York State has
trebled and reached hundreds of mil
lions of dollars, while the Republican
State administration of Connecticut
had wiped out the State debt, although
going ahead with many public improve
mentS.
His references to Mr. Hoover and to
President Coolidge brought applause, but
nothing tumultuous in the widest lati-
tude of expression. Mr. Merritt made
no attempt at oratory. He got right
down to brass tacks to convince the
voters of the State that if they wanted
business to continue they must have
and State affairs.
But what time these Democrats did
have. They took their convention like
good fighting Democrats, to the arena,
where the prize fights and boxing
matches are staged regularly. They had
band parade beforehand and then
they listened to a keynote speech by
Kenneth Wynne, New Haven attor-
ney with a gift for oratory. How they
hoWled when he pitched into the Re-
publicanS and praised Gov. Smith. The
keynote speech was an AL Smith speech
Mr.. Wynne rang the changes again and
again on the Smith personality.
I'm this election he said, "the soul
Of America is in the balance. Elect
Hoover and the deadening influences of
smugneSs and reaction will dull that
soul as by a powerful narcotic. Elect
Smith and the forces of light and truth
and sympathy for the humblest citizen
in the Republic will make that soul
radiant IN the glory of better day"
Mr.. Wynne insisted that Gov. Smith,
in his speech accepting the presidential
nomination, had laid down perfectly
feasible and readily understood plan for
amending the dry laws.
First of ALL" said the keynoter. che
would have the Volstead act amended
SO as more reasonably and scientifically
to define an Intoxicating beverage. He
would also hcve the eighteenth amend
ment amended so as to permit the
States to control manufacture and sale
Of alcoholic liquors within their own
borders, after the Canadian example,
and with the saloon remaining forever
| defunct. Here is plan at once explicit
and constructive 1t could be worked
| out within the law and the ConStitu-
ton. The governors program is the
! most clear cut and positive that has
come from either side in this presi-
Dental election"
In a measure, Mr.. Wynne's discussion
of the prohibition question was intend
ed to offset the drive of the, ,Repub.