Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-01
Bishop Proposes Anti-Smith
Democrats Nominate Can
didate for Governor.
PARTY LEADER Rejects
THREE SEEKING OFFICE
Hurls Challenge to Organization
Headed by Byrd, Swanson
and Glass.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.


Bishop James Cannon, jr., leader of
the Anti-Smith Democrats in Virginia,
and indeed in the South, during the
presidential campaign last year, is de-
manding that the present Democratic
leadership in the Old Dominion be cast
out. He proposes that the anti-Smith
Democrats themselves put candidate
for governor in the field this year.
If his recommendations, contained in
a letter addressed to j. c. Moss, chair
man of the executive committee of the
anti-Smith Democrats, are carried out,
it means triangular race for governor
of Virginia, with the possibility that
Republican may be elected to that office.
Asks House Set in Order.
Bishop Cannon is out to rid the
party of the dominance of the Smith
Raskob faction, which brought about
the nomination of Alfred E. Smith for
President last year and by that nomi-
nation made the national Democratic
party assume the wet side of the pro-
proposes that Virginia democracy shall
"set its house in order" He turns his
back fatty against the announced can
didates for the Democratic nomination
for governor, three in number, because
they gave their support to Smith last
year, remaining regular.
Apparently Bishop Cannon has turn
ed down the suggestion advanced in
some quarters that the anti-Smitn
Democrats join with the Republicans
in the gubernatorial election and elect
a Republican governor. The anti
Smith Democrats will hold a convention
in Roanoke June 18 to determine their
course.
T am hoping" said Bishop Cannon
in his letter, "that the Roanoke con-
vention will find and nominate just
such a man tan anti-Snith Democrat
ready to oppose the Smith -Raskob
national leadership of the party. If it
does. shall certainly give to him my
hearty support, and I hope that tie
people of Virginia will elect him.
Bishop Cannon has thrown down his
challenge to the organization which
has been headed by Gov. Byrd, Senator
Swanson and Senator Glass. Gov.
Byrd is not now and cannot be a can
didate to succeed himself. Senator
Glass will come up for reelection next
year. The presumption is that his
denomination and reelection will be
opposed by Bishop Cannon, because
Senator Glass followed the Smith ban.
ner last year.
Three Candidates Are Dries.
The three candidates for the Demo-
cratic nomination for governor, against
whom Bishop Cannon is attempting TO
Hn oil
too, supported the Smith ticket. They
are John G. Pollard professor of law at
Williams and Mary College: Walter
Mapp, who had much to do with writing
the States prohibition law, and Rose
we'll Page, former second State auditor,
who halls from Hanover County. Prof.
Pollard was formerly attorney general
of the State, elected with the backing
of the drys.
Bishop cannon said in his letter to
Mr.. Moss:
II have read with interest the state
ment recently issued by your commit
tee. have also received your request
for a statement from me concerning
the present political situation in Vir-
ginia.
Nothing has occurred to change the
views expressed in the statement which
I addressed to the Lynchburg confer
ence OF ant1-Smith DemocrateS on Feb
ruary S, 1929. In that statement three
courses were indicated as open to anti
Smith Democrats:
First. To join the Republican party.
Second. To accept the present ma
tional and State Democratic leadership,
and to enter the August primary of the
Democratic party without any condi-
tions or stipulations.
Third. To remain as independent
Democrats, declaring that, while we
are not Republicans, yet it is impossible
to accept the present State or national
Democratic leadership with all that
would be implied by such acceptance
under present conditions.
Adheres to Third Position.
Speaking for myself alone, I reaf-
firm that the third position is the po-
sition which still hold, for the same
conditions exist today as existed from
the day of the nomination of Alfred E.
Smith, June 28, 1923. to the day of
the defeat of Alfred e. Smith on the
following November 6. The exaltation
of the Smith -Raskob leadership and its
intensified domination of the Democra-
tic party during the last national cam
Continued on Page 2. Column g.
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