Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-01
The Smith Telegram

There viii be a division of oplhion
regarding the wisdom and the proprie-
~ OF Gov. Smiths telegram TO the
Democratic convention with reference
10 the enforcement and possible nodi-
fication Of the prohibition law. BY
some it will be regarded as indiscreet,
bv others as an act Of honest frank
ness. BY some it will be viewed as
needlessly complicaung the issues OF
the campaign. by others as clarifying
them.
Coy. Smiths views on the subject Of
prchibieon were we'll known long be-
fore the Democratic convention met at
Houston. He had stated them on sew
eral occasions He expressed them
specifically in a letter read at the jack
son day dinner in this city last Winter.
Just on the eve of the convention he
made a three-word reply in Albany to
an inquiry prompted by statement is
sued by Norman E. Mack. distinctly
making known the fact that he had
not changed his views.
with this position Of Gov. Smith
clearly defined the convention proceed
ed. after much debate in committee. to
adopt a platform pledging the party
ard its nominee If elected to strict en-
fcncment of the prohibition law. It
TIN proceeded to nominate Gov.
Smith. AS far as the specific terms of
the enforcement plank of the platform
went there was no occasion for any ex-
rosition of views on the part of the
nominee. For his views did not run
counter to the declaration as adopted.
Some Will think that it would have been
better politics" to let the case stand
as established by the conventions &C.
ton. with the drys of the party appar-
entity placated by a strong enforcement
plank and with the vets contented By
omission of any Endorsement of the prin-
ciple Of prohibition and with the can
dida.e's known views as to the desir-
abIllty CT modification. Gov. Smith
could not have been accused Of taking
the nomination under camoudags or Of
conceaing his own opinions. But it
was not in his nature to withhold an
explicit statement on the subject. He
has always been courageous in meeting
responsibility and from the point OF
view Of candor his statement TO the
chairman of the convention was a con-
siEtent action.
But IN the circumstances this tele-
graphsd statement, coupled with his &C
ceueance of the nomination. made while
the ink of the printed copies Of the plat
form. so painfully and laboriously franz
ed to adjust differences, was still wet,
has had a naischievouS effect upon those
who we're supposedly placated. Some of
them are now organizing protest meet
ings which may develop into definite
movements Of opposition to the nominee.
II has been limited that this was all
planned II so it must have been upon
the theory that it would be best to
administer the shock promptly at the
outset of the campaign in the hope that
It would wear of in the course of the
next four months.
It must be borne in mind that those
who conducted the Smith campaign for
nomination are adept politicians and
that the governor himself is rated as one
of the most astute Of politicians. SO
that = can hardly be rated as blunder
that tnis telegram was sent just as and
when it was. 1t may prove to be harm
faI 70 the Democratic cause. but 1t
is not TO be attributed to an impulse
without calculation of its effect.