Evening star., 1928-08-08
Smiths Challenge Accepted,

Gov. Smith. deeply resentful, has
challenged Rev. DR.. John Roach
stratou. pastor of Calvary Baptist
Church. New York, to debate with him
DR.. Straton's assertion that Smith is
'the deadliest foe in America today OF
the forces of moral progress and true
political wisdom" DR.. Straton mas
promptly accepted the challenge, urg-
ing that Madison Square Garden be the
scene of the debate. and that In aodl-
ton a joint debate be arranged Tor
number OF cities in the South.
This is something entirely new In
presidential campaigning, Gov. Smiths
courage is to be admired. He has en-
hsrked upon course. which. II car
ried through to a finish, may have
Widespread effect upon his chances IN
the coming election. He has given lar
wider publicity to the charges mace
against him by DR.. Straton-which, IN
effect. are the charges made by William
Allen White, Kansas editor. although
Mr. White withdrew part Of them be-
fore sailing for Europe-than those
charges would have had otherwise.
Gov. Smiths enemies have dug deep
into the record of his votes as Assembly,
man in the New York Legislature They
have made public list of his votes on
various bills, and they have charged
that bv his voting the governor aligned
himself. not only with Tammany. but
with the saloon. the gambler and the
prostitute. The governor naturally re-
sents these charges, made publicly he
is nreuared to defend himself, and VIII
10 to the mat with DR.. Straton. pro-
yided the debate is ever actually ar
ranged. Explaining votes on legislative
matters has been the cause OF the down.
fall of many politicians in the past
The people are inclined to interpret ZOE
themselves the significance OF the votes
of their legislators.
DIR. Straton in his sermon last Sun
day. in his New York church, went even
s,rther than did Mr.. White in his at
tack upon Smith. for while MT. Wnile
gave the governor credit today for De-
fnz an upright, courageous executive.
Or. Straton declared that Smith Is the
deadliest foe today OF forces of moral
nrocress. II Gov Smith had any idea
that DR.. Straton would drop some OF
his charges. as did Mr.. White, after
some Of the governors friends had ar
s4,ed with him. he has apparently mace
a mistake. DR.. StratOn Is as eager io1
the debate as Gov Smith himself.
The ioint debate proposed by Gov
Smith viii draw bigger attendance
than the latest world champion heavy
weight fight, provided a place capable
of holding the crowd Is determined
,fpon. Let there be no misunoerstano-
ing regarding the interest In this pro-
iected affair. The terms upon which
the debate is to be held, the time al
Iowance. ETC., have yet to be decided
Perhaps this debate. like other important
hauuenings, viii be broadcast over the
radio. The judges necessarily must De
the American voters To endeavor 10
set up a select tribunal to pass upon
the merits Of the contest would be n
d,culous. Probably it would be impos-
sible to ind In this country today a
tribunal that could be rightly called
impartial. Feeling in the political
campaign is running higher and higher.
Gov. Smith has done a bold thing
He believes in himself and he may be
sble to make the Nation believe in him
Certainly he has a great host OF ad-
n1irers today. The things which have
been said about him by DR.. Straton and
Mr.. white have been said in the past
IN state elections, but in New York
have not had the effect Of hating him
ct the polls. II Is not the possible
effect Of these charges in New York
State. but their effect in the other
States Of the Nation, that must be
feared by the Smith campaign man
ssement. The Democratic candidate
Is undertaking himself 10 give the
charges the lie and to repel once and
for all the charge against him that he
Is an opponent Of moral progress In