Evening star., 1928-08-03
Senator Simmons Advice

Senator Simmons. a dominant figure
f2 North Carolina politics for more than
n quarter Of 8 century, takes the posi-
ton that Democratic voters Of his State
should be free from coercion or re-
straint in the exercise of their con-
scientious conviction and Judgment with
respect 10 the national ticket" Fur
ther. he urges all Democrats 10 give
their undivided support to the State,
district and local nominees Of the
party. Without mentioning Gov Smith,
Senator Simmons has virtually turned
his back upon him in the national CAM
paig9 Whether he will go further and
actually oppose the election Of the
New York governor to the presidency
remains 70 be seen.
of al! the States of the solid South
the chances of the Republicans appear
TO be better in North Carolina than III
any other. The advice Of Senator Sim
mons 70 the Democratic voters OF the
state. many Of whom are bitterly op-
posed 10 Smith. doubtless will have its
effect. Il is true that Senator Simmons
was one Of the strongest opponents OF
the nomination of Gov. Smith before
and during the Houston convention
But It was generally supposed that once
the nomination Of Smith had been con-
summated. the veteran leader would
swing into line and help put the Demo-
cratic national ticket across in North.
Carolina and other parts Of the South.
Senator Simmons has maintained
from the first. however, that he opposed
Gov. Smith on principle that the New
Yorker stood for principles Of govern
ment to which he and other Southern
Democrats could not subscribe. The
North Carolina Senator has long had
reputation for tenacity. In the case OF
Gov. Smith and the presidency he has
not changed. The last straw. apparent
iv. SO far as Senator Simmons is con-
cerned, was Smiths telegram TO the
Houston convention asserting that II
elected he would point way to the
modification OF the prohibition laws.
The North Carolina Senator's advice
10 the Democratic voters is contained
In a letter written by Senator Simmons
and made public b. A. B. Groom. who
turned ii over to the Wilmington News
Dispatch. II is no secret that Senator
Simmons and some of his closest friends
in the state have said for months that
If Smith were nominated, North Caro-
lina would bolt the Democratic national
ticket. There has been talk OF the
waning of the political influence Of the
veteran Senator during recent months
But it is doubtful that he has lost his
grin on the rank and file Of the party
10 whom ne has turned so often and
so successfully in his political battles
in the past. He stemmed the Smith
tide in the Tar Heel State at the time
of the State primaries. His attitude
now viii be no help TO the Smith can
didacy.
Senator Simmons letter not only crit
tcizes the telegram sent By Gov. smith
to the Houston convention setting up
a wet party plank for the national
ticket and throwing the convention
platform plank into the discard, but his
appoinsment Of Raskob, wet, as cam
paign manager. He charges that Smith
Is allied with groups and interests hos
tile and antagonistic 10 the fundamen-
tai principles Of Democracy" This Is
strong language from Democrat who
has never wayered before In his ale
glance 70 the nominees Of his party.
senator Simmons recently resigned as
q member Of the Democratic national
committee. apparently feeling that he
could not conscientiously support the
presidential nominee.