Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-26
Shifts, Changes and OBJECTIONS,

Each presidential campaign has its
regularly defined phases. as well estab-
lished as the periodic changes of the
moon or the planetary cycles. There
are first the pre-convention struggles Of
the aspirants for the nominations. Next
come the conventions, with the result
OF the presentation of nominees of the
great parties and the proclamation OF
principles IN the form of platforms.
Then comes the reorganization of the
national committees and the campaign
committees. Next the formal notifica-
tons and speeches of acceptance. And
then the fight is on, with the election
occurring on the constitutionally fixed
date, the Tuesday after the first Mon
day In November
There are secondary phases, less def
nitely established. but always to be ex-
pected in some sort of sequence. One
of the earliest of these, after the reor-
ganization Of the working forces. is the
shifting of allegiances. Persons of more
or less prominence in politics announce
their departure from their long-main-
tanned party Affiliations. They do not
like the candidates or the platforms of
their respective parties, and they shift
ground. Some of them make no proc
lamation. Some declare their change of
heart loudly and proudly. Some apollo
getically, some enthusiastically.
This secondary phase Of the present
national campaign is now in evidence.
It began early, in fact, when the Demo-
cratic candidate chose for his national
chairman and general campaign man
ager former Republican. II has with
In few hours been marked by two
shifts that are hailed with Joy by the
beneficiary party and discounted by the
loser. Yesterday in New York 1t was
announced from Republican lleadquar-
tiers that former Senator Robert l..
owen Of Oklahoma, a lifelong Democrat,
had espoused the cause Of Herbert Hoo
yer, and he stated his reasons to the
press. At the same time 1t was pro-
claimed from Democratic headquarters
that william H. Woodbin, prominent
Republican heretofore and executive Of
one of the large industrial corporations.
had joined the Smith forces.
Coincidentally came the news that
Senator Furnifold M. Simmons Of North
Carolina, always Democrat, had re-
signed from the national committee of
that party. giving no reasons. III health,
combined with strong distaste for the
nominee Of his party, Is accepted as the
cause of this departure. Inasmucil as
his State is one of those In the South
toward which the Republicans are cast
ing hopeful eyes, the implication Of this
announcement is undoubtedly hearten-
ing TO the Hoover campaigners.
American politics is always in state
Of fiux. Sometimes the changes are
slight and of little moment Again. they
are on q large scale and of vital con-
sequence. In 1894 few shifts In New
York state cost the Republicans the
presidency. In 1895 both parties suf-
fered from OBJECTIONS, the Democrats
most severely. and, for that campaign,
fatally. In 1912 the Republican party
split wide OPEN" and the Democrats
profited. In 1915 there we're more Re-
publican backslidings than Democratic,
and again the Democratic party en-
joyed the benefit.
This year there are signs Of shifts on
both sides. Realignment Is the order Of
the campaign. Individuals and groups
are changing ground. It Is too early in
the season to estimate the general trend
or the balance Of the readiustment.
The single instances that come TO view
are not the most important. More sig
nificant are the silent shifts that are
taking place. caused BY the injection Of
new elements into the political equation.
Perhaps not until election day can these
be measured.