U.S.A. ELECTIONS

Hokitika Guardian, 4 April 1928, Page 2

U.S.A. ELECTIONS

BIITERNESS BETWHEN PARTIES. (Australian Press Association.) NEW YORK, April 2. Sines; until each of the major parties decides upon its presidential candidate there is little sympathy lost, and often the most vicious blows are struck between the various aspirants for tbis honour in the same party, there in nothing unusual in the fact that there has only been the l scantiest expression of grief at the death of Air Willis. He was an important figure and his demise at any other time would have meant extravagant eulogies and laments, but at. tla- present time jungle law is the strongest, instinct actuating political figures. One observer on the day Air Willis died said: “Off hand it appears the chief Ix'nefieiary to speak in cold blood is Hoover, who war, rolltending with AVillis for the Ohio dele", gation.” It is now ton late to remove Willis’ name from the; prrinnry ballots of Ohio, therefore Republican voters will be able only to express preference for him or Hoover. The importance ot the Ohio primary ballots, however, lies in the fact that if AVillis receives the vote it will mean that delegates from Ohio will be instructed for AA’iUis and as AA’illis cannot be voted for they will obviously throw their strength at the Convention to some other individual, possibly the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Longworth, or Dawes, although the lattov has declared he is supporting Low den.

It is interesting that at the Alicbegan primaries to-day Republican delegates for Hoover and Democratic delegates for Smith were chosen, but it is of no importance since they had no opponents. It is more to the point to note that if anyone was ever cordialN hated by politicians in his own party it appears to bo Hoover. The saying is “Everyone is against Hoover.” It is agreed that anyone who will defeat Hoover is the right candidate for the Republican nomination. Borah continues to trumpet what are paramount issues in the campaign hut practical Republican politicians are scarcely interested in issues just now. They shudder at the thought that eorruptiun may biter defeat them, hut at present they are wagering internal battle over the men and Hoover, who is now apparently so pivotal a figure may disappear overnight, once the Republican Convention get.; under

.Senator Robinson last week continued a wide attack on the Democrats, dragging the entire AVilson Administration into the Oil Scandal. Walsh and other Democratic Senators spurned the charges that there is unanimity among the Democratic representatives that they will let no one connect them with oil hut otherwise it can hardly lie said they are definitely determined cither noon men or issues.

It is generally admitted in the Party that Smith is the leading figure. His friends claim he will have acquired a 2—3 mnioritv at the Convention, hut

apparently have forgotten what an implacable enemy Smith has in AieAdoo. They eliminated each other in 11)22. It has been more than n decade since the presidential campaign has boon so incoherent or so angry. Each party has its private quarrel and it can hardly lie said that good government as a political idea is actuating either party as- if prepares to ask voters for support at polls, ostensibly on one ground that it alone can assure people such.