Evening star., 1931-06-21

, die in the convention or hold the bal
ance of power. 1t goes without saying
that Gov. Ritchie will be eliminated
He will, in that event, fade from the
picture even as possibility for Vice
President.
No frank discussion of the Demo-
cratic nomination can overlook the fact
that a great share of those elements in
the party that want a declaration
against prohibition shrink from the re-
nomination of former Gov. Smith. This
is because they do not want the 1925
battle fought over again. They do not
want the religious issue tangled up with
the next campaign, as 1t would be en-
tangled should Smith be named again
to head the ticket. To many Demo-
Gratis taking this view, the nomination
of Ritchie would be acceptable. On the
other hand. it cannot be overlooked that
to many Of the drys the name of the
Maryland Governor is anathema. and Il
more than a third of the convention is
made up of uncompromising drys, he
will be out OF the question even as q
compromise.
An able Democratic Senator, when
asked the other day what he thought
of Democratic chances next year, re-
piled: IF the Democrats keep away
| from prohibition and religion, 1t makes
! no difference whom they nominate: If
they don't keep away from prohibition
and religion, it makes no difference
whom they nominate"
If the controlling forces in the con-
vention fear to inject prohibition into
the campaign and look on the nonli-
nation of Ritchie as sure to inject that
issue, then obviously he will have to be
checked OF the list of the available
| he ,{,,n knA
this score Is more color1eSs. For the
Maryland chief executive cannot be ac-
cused Of being colorless on this or on
| other issues. His political philosophy
is built on the idea Of letting the
| States and localities govern themselves
and that the least governed are the best
governed.
Is Opponent Of Capitalization.
Some call it States rights and some
have other names for it. Gov. Ritchie
calls 1t local disagreement" and he
never misses an opportunity to ham,
mer 1t in and emphasize it, That
philosophy is the basis of his belief
that Federal prohibition is wrong ir
theory and hence failure in practice
and 1t is the basis of his views on tar
III, power, Government in business
Federal bureaucracy and other matters
pertaining TO the national Government
II Ritchie should be made President
1t would be utterly impossible for hin
to be MusSolini unless he changed his
philosophy of government, for he is
by his utterances and his record, fiatly
opposed to the Capitalization Of power
IN washington. To be consistent with
what he has long advocated, the Mary
land Governor as President would have
to work overtime to decentralize the
powers steadily merging in the National
Government and remorselessly 1op OF
the multiplying Federal activities ant
agencies.
Though of exceptionally fine ances.
| try, Gov. Ritchie has risen by his owl
efforts and his, own personality. He
has the advantage of good looks anc
charm, Of manner, and he draws nen
TO him by the force of his character
his hospitality, his many engaging
qualities. He will be IS in August
but, apart from his silver gray hair, be
looks younger. He has steel blue eyes
dark eyebrows, rosy complexion, Is vel
built and erect and always immaculate
" dressed. Should he 60 to the White
House, he would rank as one Of the
! CONTINUED on Fourth. Rage.).