The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1930-10-01


nomination as dry, came promptly for,
ward at the convention and pledged her
self to abide by the decision of so-cadled
referendum on the wet and dry issue. In
doing this, she repudiated her primary
pledge and left the dry constituency,
which had nominated her, without any
candidate for whom they could vote III
November.
That, in a word, states the necessity
for my becoming a candidate. The vets
have a candidate for whom they can vote;
they know where Col. James Hamilton
Lewis stands on this question. they know
definitely how he will vote, referendum
or no referendum
It was expected by the dry Republicans
who gave Mrs Mccormick her nominal
ton that she would lead them IN
pitched battle against the Democrats I'M
der the leadership of Mr. Lewis. But now,
by taking refuge under the referendum
the whole issue as to prohibition has been
thrown into confusion.
THE CALL FROM THE DRYS
do not know why my fellow Republi-
cans turned to me, unless 1t was because
I was the first woman elected TO the ILL
nois legislature. and had stood unswery-
ingly through four terms for the very
principles which are now being jeopar-
died. That call came to me from Repub-
licans all over the state, who had been
left in the lurch with no candidate TO
vote for, to pick up the banner which
Mrs. Mccormick had flung away and
carry it up to the polls in November.
POLITICAL MACHINES
In an address at Mt. Vernon two years
ago, Governor Emnaerson told us not 10
expect anything from the leaders who de-
rive their power from political machines.
He said, Men who owe allegiance only 10
a political machine cannot, even II they
would, give the state an efficient admins
tration. The machine does not put them
there for that purpose. On the other
hand. men who have made their pledges
to the people, and who owe nothing to
any political machine, are duty-bound to
administer the Offices to which they are
elected in way that will meet the ap-
proval of the people"
have no obligations to any party ma
chine my obligation is only to the peo-
pie 1 expect to discuss with the people,
as the campaign develops, such SUBJECTS
as the tariff, farm relief, unemployment
public utilities and International rela-
tons, with special reference to the World
Court I can say now that you will find
me standing consistently upon the ma
tional Republican platform on these
questions
THE CONFUSING REFERENDUM
For the present we must face the situ-
alton on prohibition My entering the race
is an answer to those who feel that
candidate Who deserts position on which
nomination was. secured cannot be safely
trusted to carry out further mandates OF
the people, dwell on this matter OF the
candidate because there is considerable
confusion in he public mind-aa indeed
it was designed there should be-in re-
gard to the launching of the liquor rel
erendum.
With respect to voting in the referen-
dunn, I am unwilling to give advice TO
my fellow citizens. But think it is neces-
sary for me to say that I do not regard
the so-called referendum which is now
before the citizens of Illinois, as bona
fide submission of the prohibition cues
tion to the people. do not believe its re-
suits will be an accurate measure OF the
sentiment of our people on this issue
The present referendum is legal IN
form but in reality it is nothing more
than a straw vote. As candidate, can
not consent to be bound by it, because
know in advance its results will not rep
resent the sentiment of the people OF the
state.