Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-23
Mrs. Mccormick and the prys.

A "
Mrs. Ruth Hanna Mccormick, Re-
publican nominee for Senator in Illi-
nois, has irritated the drys to a greater
degree probably than any other candi-
date for ONCE in long time They in
sist that Mrs. Mccormick, having won
the senatorial nomination as dry, with
their support in part, and certainly
without their opposition, has now be-
trayed them. The clipsheet Of the
Board Of Temperance, Prohibition and
Public Morals Of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church contains an editorial on
the Mccormick episode that seems to
express pretty well the views of the
ardent drys. Commenting on the fact
that Mrs. Mccormick, since her nomi-
nation, has agreed to vote "wet" II the
people of Illinois In the coming State
referendum cast q majority OF their
votes against the eighteenth amend
ment or for modification. the editorial
says:
she had taken before the primary the
position she takes now, she could have
spent twice what she did without get
ting the nomination.
The reference to Mrs. McCormick,s
expenditures in the primary campaign
she has admitted spending $250,O00 Of
her own money and the total amount
expended by and for her candidacy has
been shown to be in excess Of $500, 900
might not have been made had Mrs.
Mccormick gone into the campaign as
staunch dry. It win be recalled that
the Anti-Saloon League continued to
back Frank L. Smith, candidate for the
Senate In Illinois in 1926, although it
had been shown that the expenditures
OF the Smith campaign for the nomina-
ton appropriated those Of Mrs. Nc
Cormick and that more than S12S, 900
had been contributed to the Smith cam
paign by public utility magnates, al
though Mr.. Smith at the time was head
Of the Public Service Commission of
Illinois.
In 1925 Smith was running against
the late George e. Brennan, the Demo-
cratic nominee for the Senate, as wiring
ing wet as the present Democratic
candidate for the Senate, j. Hamilton
Lewis. But Smith stuck by his dry
record Of the past. The Anti-saloon
League failed at that time to come out
for an independent dry Republican, who
was put in the field by citizens who
were aroused over the campaign ex-
penditures made in the Smith race for
the senatorial nomination. The drys,
generally speaking, went right ahead
and voted for Smith. In some quarters
1t was admitted that the Senate was
to be left 10 handle Mr.. Smiths case,
and II Mr.. Smith was not entitled 10
. seat in that body, then the Senate
would see TO it that Mr.. Smith was not
admitted.
But the drys this year have been on
the horns Of Q dilemma. II they elect
Mrs. Mccormick, they place in the Sen
ate another potential vote against pro-
hibition. II they do not elect her and
Senator Lewis goes to the Senate, the
wet group there gains q strong adj
herent. Many Of the drys have turned
TO Mrs. Lottie Holman ONeill, an In
dependent dry Republican candidate for
the Senate, who has the backing Of the
Anti-Saloon League. Whether Mrs.
ONeill will receive as many votes as
did the independent Republican candi-
date in 1926--a matter Of 10000 votes
remains to be seen. Should Mrs. ONeill
receive q large vote, 1t is likely that
Mrs. McCormick's goose will be cooked
and Senator Lewis viii be elected. But
1t is dificult to see how that could be
considered dry victory. It might. It
Is true, be considered q spanking for
any Republican senatorial candidate in
Illinois who had the temerity to oppose
the drys.
The drys In Illinois are apparently
divided over the question as to whether
they should give their whole hearted
support to Mrs. ONeill. No one be-
lieves she can be elected, apparently.
Perhaps some Of them, remembering
what happened to Frank L. Smith when
he sought to enter the Senate, are
willing to take chance, elect Mrs.
Mccormick and then let the Senate deal
with her. Should Mrs. Mccormick be
denied a seat because of her campaign
expenditures, q Republican Governor
might appoint dry to sit In her place