Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-21
COX IS MENTIONED
AS 1892 CANDIDATE
Popularity of Ex-Governor
Grows With Party-G. o. P.
CanvasSed on Hoover.

While there are no outward develop
ments there is plenty Of evidence OF
political activity in both major parties.
Quietly the various Republican lead
ers are being canvasSed by Hoover
lieutenantS with the idea OF making sure
of the denomination of the President.
Practical politicians have never doubted
that Mr.. Hoover would be given the
denomination If he desired it. 1t Is the
political custom to let President run
on his own record because 1t Is realized
that to defeat a President Tor re-
nomination Is such confession OF
party failure as to give opponents
victory almost by default.
Strategy Adopted.
The strategy of the Republicans is
show that the business depression Is
worldwide and that no individual or adj
ministration could possibly have averted
it or cured it. If the business charts
should show the slightest upturn in
industrial activity the Republicans will
argue that the country had better keep
MI. Hoover rather than take chance
on a change of administrations.
Meanwhile, the Democrats are conf
dent Of success. They feel that any
candidate nominated is bound to win,
this would not be the case if former
Gov. Smith were to enter the contest
and revive the feuds of 1923.
Just at present Gov. Roosevelt Of
New York is acknowledged to be in the
lead, but it Is curious paradox that
most leaders have some doubts as to
whether he will ultimately be nomi-
mated The fact that Mr. Roosevelt is
in the lead gives an opportunity for
the critics to get busy and weigh his
merits There seems to be some doubt
as to whether he will have the whole
hearted support of the New York
Democracy even though the New York
delegation will vote for him.
Cox Is Mentioned.
One Of the most interesting happen
ings was the recent editorial in the
New York Times which asked the ques-
ton why not James M. Cox?" When
the leading Democratic newspaper in
the metropolis abandons a favorite son
so early in the game 1t causes the poll
ticians to wonder, for even If they had
not been thinking Of Mr.. Cox it was
interesting that the Times suggested
that the party look for some one other
than Gov. Roosevelt.
AS for Mr.. Cox, his popularity has
grown by leaps ana bounds with the
members Of. his own party since 1920.
The fact that he was beaten by Warren
Harding in 1920 Is nowadays regarded
not so much reflection on Mr.. Cox
as upon the unthinking voters who ex-
pressed their resentment over the war
time restrictions which the Wilson adj
ministration thought necessary to prose-
cute the war rather than any affirma-
tive approval of Mr.. Harding whose
administration has since been so severely
criticized even by Republicans.
Speeches Significant.
Mr.. Cox is an aggressive campaigner,
a business man and has made two
speeches within the last year which are
in the nature of political mileStones.
His criticism of the eighteenth amend
ment at the Columbus, Ohio, gathering
OF Democrats last year won nation wide
attention just as did his impromptu
speech at the Democratic National
Committee meeting when he tried to
reconcile the Raskob and anti-Raskob
factionalism.
He probably could carry Ohio. which