The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-05-05
The California Vote

The California Vote
Partisans OF New Yorks Governor
Roosevelt were shocked and panied
Wednesday to learn that Speaker
John N. Garner and not their IA
vorite was the most popular Demo-
cratic candidate for president in Cali
fornia.
just what the adherents of Happy
Warrior" Al Smith thought wasn't
made clear. If they had hoped for
victory they were disappointed, for
Smith made rather a sorry showing
II, on the other hand, Smiths main
purpose in entering the Golden State
contest was to split the vote in the
hope that Roosevelt might lose there
by. they should be well pleased.
What the result would have been
in an open-and-shut contest between
Garner and Roosevelt will never be
known. The probability is that it
would have made little difference.
One unquestioned result of the cleo
ton, however, is to push to the front
one of the really vigorous personali-
ties now on the public stage. AS a
statesman Garner may or may not
leave something to be desired, but
there is no questioning the fact that
he Is the simple, straight-spoken sort
of person who takes we'll in the West.
In fact, he is a Westerner, for that
portion of Texas from which he halls
has considerably more of the flavor
of the West than of the South. A
land of hard-riding, hard drinking
men in the early days, it has devel-
oped the resources which the soil and
climate permit but, in the main, it
still is ranch country where the SOM
brero and the high-heeled boot are
everyday equipment rather than
stage properties.
A few weeks ago many were saying
that Gamers chances of winning the
nomination had been reduced to al
most nothing by reason Of his failure
to control the lower house of con-
gress. Their view was that the sales
tax debacle had injured his prestige.
If that were true, the man. handling
given the economy bill must have
ruined it.
But, if so, the California vote did
not show it. If 1t indicated anything
it proved that many folks on the west
coast are really anxious for new ma
terial In the white house and that
they want man who is not &C
lively seeking the office, for no one
can honestly accuse Garner Of TAX
ing time off from his burdensome
duties to seek the presidency.
incidentally the result must have
been cheering to the press CORE
spondents at Washington, for Garner
is one Of their idols. Always ap-
proachable, he is not above being
called Jack" on friendly occasion
and one gets the idea he would re-
sent being called anything else by
his old-time friends if he were to 20
to the white house to live.
Conversely, one feels that the press
representatives are little cold to-
ward Herbert Hoover. They feel that
his talents as an engineer do not ex-
tend to handling the newspapers in
proper style.
AS result of this we probably
shall see more steam behind the ef-
fort to sell Mr.. Garner to the nation
at large. These probably will be sup
plemented by the activities of those
who see in Garner an opportunity
to shunt the Roosevelt bandwagon in
to blind alley at the Democratic
convention.
Unquestionably, the California vote
has made Garner a figure of in
creased stature, at least for the time
being.
At the same time, it gives AID and
comfort to the Republicans. Even
remembering that Hoover is Califor-
MAS favorite son, it Is significant
that 80 many members Of his party
took the trouble to 60 to the polls
and give him q complimentary vote.
He really did not need the support
since he had no opposition, but It
was welcome, nevertheless, and will
= valuable to the Republican leaders
In their effort to demonstrate Hoo
Ser,s popularity.
It will serve to dull the edge Of
Hoover's rather ridiculous victory
over Former Senator France in Mary
land, where the two Of them to-
gether failed to poll as many votes
In the entire state as a few wards in
the city Of Baltimore cast on the