The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1932-02-11
AL SMITH ENTERS
PRESIDENTIAL RACE
Statement Says He Will Ac-
cept Democratic Nomina-
ton if Party Calls
STATEMENT IS FRANK

Announcement Is construed
As An Attempt to Stop
Gov. Roosevelt
New York, Feb. 8 Alfred E.
Smith has announced himself will
ing to go again to the political
wars.
If the Democratic national con-
vention should decide that 1t
wants me to lead, I will make the
fight" he said in a terse statement
published today.
The statement itself was widely
construed in editorial comment as
in effect thrust against the can
didacy of Governor Franklin D.
Roosevelt of New York-the man
who nominated Smith for the
presidential nomination at the
1928 Democratic national conven-
ton and sent him forward to the
contest of voters as the "happy
warrior" Of Democracy.
Governor Roosevelt declined to
comment. So also did Gov. Richie
an avowed candidate; Speaker
Garner and Newton D. Baker
each of whom has been mentioned
as a presidential possibility.
Smiths statement said:
$50 many inquiries have come
to me from friends throughout the
country who worked for and be-
lieve in me, as to my attitude in
the present political situation
that I owe it to my friends and
the millions of men and women
who supported me so Loyalty in
1928 to make my position clear.
If the Democratic notional con.
vention after careful consideration
should decide that it wants me to
lead, will make the fight; but ]
will not make pre-convention
campaign to secure the support OF
delegates.
."By action of the Democratic
national convention of 1928, I am
the leader. Of my party in the ma
ton. With a full sense of the re.
sponsibility thereby imposed, ]
shall not in advance of the con.
vention either support or oppose
the candidacy of any aspirant fol-
the nomination"
He asked If he would forbid the
use of his name in states that de-
not require the consent of a can.
didate for nomination. .--
IT don't see how I can stop any.
one from doing anything" he said
Will you support any candidate
selected by the convention.
Until the Smith declaration with
its threat Of taking votes in logical
Roosevelt territory, the New York
state governor and longtime
Smith ally was gathering support
at a rate that was heading fol-
nomination by reclamation. :"
Favorite son committents are
destined to play an important part
The Smith supporters count upon
them to absorb enough Of the
votes beyond their own reach tc
hold Roosevelt below the neces.
sary two-thirds strength needed
to nominate. Thus the Smith vote
If developed would exercise, moi
the power to nominate, but the
power to veto.
In the favorite son column now
appear 254 Of the convention.
LISA votes: Illinois for Lewis
Maryland for Richie, Missouri fol
Reed, Ohio for White, Oklahoma
for Murray, Texas for Garner and
Virginia for Byrd.
The Smith men are trying prin
cipally for 27S votes: New York
New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Mas
sachusetts, New Hampshire, Con
necticut and Rhode Island.
Success Of their project is not
conceded by any means. Some OF
Washington's expert politicians in.
sist that Roosevelt's drive has
gone too far, although others are
convinced Smith has DEATH his
successor at Albany a serious
blow.
In month or two serious tests
Of strength between the men will
come. New Hamshire's March
primary may hold no real conflict
but April 5 will find New York
choosing SO of her "a delegates
The result is now beyond author.
itative forecast Massachusetts
and Pennsylvania primaries come
April 26 with the first at least vir
tually certain of affording a clear,
cut Smith-Roosevelt battle. New
Jersey will decided May II. Con
necticut, Rhode Island, and Dele
ware are nonprimary states in the
northeastern block which Smith
forces count on, though not uncon.
tested. South and west, delegates
may be found for Smith in Louisi
ana, Michigan, Minnesota and q
few other spots.