Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-21
Politics at Large
BY G.. Could Lincoln.

sets today apparently is badly in need
Of leadership. To say the least, things
are at skies and sevens, with former
Gov. Avian T. Fuller urging that SEN
ator Gillett and Louis K. Liggett, the
Republican national committeeman,
walk the political plank" while Mr..
Liggett in public statements has COM
mitted himself, II not the Republican
party of the State, to all anti-prohibi-
ton position. Mr.. Liggett, successful
business man and one who in the past
has done excellent work for the Re-
publican party-principall through his
success in raising campaign funds
has many Of the Republican politicians
up In the air here today, not to mention
about IS per cent of the rank and file
who are in favor of prohibition and the
efforts of President Hoover to enforce 1t.
It was only few years ago that the
Republicans in Massachusetts were on
the top of the wave. Senator Gillett was
Speaker Of the House, the late John
w. Weeks was Secretary Of War and
other eminent citizens Of the old Bay
State were in important political and
official positions of the Republican ma
tional committee. But this situation
has materially changed.
Mr.. Coolidge is out Of the White
House. MIR. Gillett no longer rules over
the proceedings of the House. Mr..
Weeks is dead and william M. Butler
Is back again at his private business,
and Massachusetts, last year went for
Al Smith and reelected Senator David
I. Walsh. a Democrat, over his Repub-
lican opponent. The question today is
whether Massachusetts, is to become
permanently a Democratic State, or at
least a State In which the Democrats
have as good a chance to win in ma
tional elections as the Republicans. 1t
is a question which is agitating the Re-
publican leaders not only Of this State
but also Of the Nation, just as the
Democratic leaders are wondering
Virginia. Florida, Texas and North
Carolina. which strayed from their old
political allegiance In 1928. When
President Hoover selected his cabinet he
picked Massachusetts, man to be his
Secretary of the Navy, Mr.. Adams. 1t was
in a measure recognition of ethe Bay
State. But Mr.. Adams had not been
particularly prominent in politics and
was charged in some quarters with hav-
ing In the past had Democratic lean
ings.
Whatever the criticism leveled at
William M. Butler, former Republican
national committeeman and chairman,
as Massachusetts, representative in the
G. o. P.'s national organization. he
had political sense enough to keep his
mouth shut. He may have learned
something Of this wisdom from his
chief in the White House, Mr.. Coolidge.
But 1t Is reasonable to credit him with
hard, common sense, and he gave the
party a good businesslike administra-
ton Of its affairs both during cam
paigns and in the interim. But Mr.
Liggett, being personally a wet, has
declared he believes it right for a man
to take a drink whenever he gets the
chance.
Mr.. Liggett. perhaps. did not get the
significance of the last national cleo
ton. 1t is possible that he was more
impressed with the fact that Massa-
chusettS gave its electoral votes to the
Democratic wet candidate for Presi-
dent and reelected Senator David I.
Walsh. wet, too. If his recent state
ments mean anything. they mean that
under Mr.. Liggett's leadership the Re
publican party of Massachusetts Is to
be given a wet tinge. This would put
variance with the party nationally,
which, whether some of its members
wish 1t or not, is now recognized as
dry party. Mr.. Liggett seeks to convey
the impression that prohibition should
not be in politics. But this Is an idle
suggestion. II Is in politics and has
been for years, and it divided the
Democratic party last year and four
years earlier In such q fashion that the
Democrats have never yet been able to
get together again. Mr.! Liggett doubt
lace Anac mt sTyict 70 hi ytry
so divided, but he has taken a course
which, If pushed. may well bring about
just such division.
Former Gov. Fuller is not the only
Republican in Massachusetts, who is
out after the scalp of Mr.. Liggett
There are others who believe he should
retire from the national committee
without further delay. In a speech at
Fall River Mr.. Liggett is quoted as
saying, I'VE have right legally to take
a drink, in my opinion. and I am say
doctrine, but as my own political
view" Mr.. Liggett may not have
realized that as the representative of
the Republican party in Massachusetts,
anything he said would be chalked up
to the Republicans. He may not have
realized that a man In his position can
not speak personally" on political is
sues and subjects. any more than the
President of the United States can
discuss personally" public questions.
It can't be done.
What will be the upshot of the rum
pus in Republican circles is not yet
quite clear. But one thing is dis
tinctly certain and that is, If the State
is not to be lost to the Republicans for
several years to come, there must be a
new deal.
Next year Massachusetts, will elect a
governor and a United States Senator,
not to mention its entire delegation in
Congress and its other State officers.
Gov. Fuller, in the opinion of many
observers, will be q candidate for the
nomination for the Senate.
He has intimated as. much, and his re-
cent declaration that Senator Gillett,
as well as Mr.. Liggett, should step aside
for the sake of the party in Massa-
chusetts was taken as another indica-
ton he will go after the nomination,
no matter what Sepator Gillett may de-
eide to do about seeking to succeed
himself There has been an opinion
here that Mr.. Fuller could defeat any
for the senatorial nominal
ton, including Senator Gillett. except
former President Coolidge. Mr.. Cool
idge's name has been mentioned many
times as possible candidate for the
Senate. But Mr.. Coolidge, following
his usual practice, is saying nothing.
Some Of his friends insist, however,
that he will not be candidate for the
Senate, but that he is watching closely
to see If there is a chance for him to
be a candidate for President again in
1882.
The Democrats are canvassing the
situation, looking for a candidate for
been suggested, including former Mayor
Honey" Fitzgerald of Boston, and
former Mayor and former Representa-
tive Peters. Peters would have q
strong following If he would make the
race. Indeed, It is believed he might
well be the Democrats best bet for that
office, or for governor, II he preferred
tn try for that Office He Is n yankee"