DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

Hokitika Guardian, 23 June 1928, Page 3

DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION

(United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) .. . >

. NEW YORK,'"June 21. Governor A 1 Smith’s ascendency foi the Democratic nomination as Presient of the United States has now v “ reached the stage where every indication points to victory. Nothing I>ut a political upheaval is likely now to defeat him. Perhaps most significant indications of Governor Smith’s ascendency is the fact Mr Adoo has announced that he not only will withdraw from the preconvention considerations, but that he will hot even attend the Democratic Convention. This is a tacit admission of defeat, and it is politically eloquent. Senator Reed’s candidacy, moreover, has failed to assume anything like importance. Senator Reed’s candidacy cannot llow hinder the amazing and spontaneous popular strength that lujs now mustered behind Governor Smith s candidacy, a fact, which, now disclosed, i» a tacit admission that Governor Smith is not likely to have any difficuty in obtaining the necessary twothirds majority of the 1100 Democratic delegates, on an early ballot. ,■ "This, however, does not mean that a fierce attack will not he made on - ' Governor Smith, since the Prohib.tion and tne anti-Roman Catholic groups of Democrats derive strength from the fact that they ostensibly are in poli- ; tics because of tlieir convictions and not simply professionally, and they will fight to the end for their “cause.” This fact is expected to produce some “fireworks” at tlio convention. The Vice Presidential choice of the Democrats will probably be dictated by Governor Smith’s forces, and it is inevitable that the Vice-President nominee will be a Western man. This is already discernable. In fact, Mr managers have disclosed that Mr Hoover, during his campaign, will make his principal fight in the Eastern States, he believing that the West is nliendj Republican. _Jt is obvious that Governor Smith s X strength lies in the large Eastern* cities, and that the Democrats must centre their fight in the west. Therefore they must choose for Vice President n mnn who will appear to that section of the country. In the Democratic- platform, there will be a tremendous and biting condemnation of the alleged corruption of the High Republican officials in office, with tlieir large campaign expenses for tainted sources. The prohibition question will .produce a fight, but the difficulties in the Democratic Party will probably be ' got over by declaring tamely for law

enforcement. y The Democrats will make a bid for \ tlie farmers’ support with tlieir i Agricultural plank, which will be promises to the farmers. The Tariff question will, of course, play its part, though there may be open quarrelling and bitter speeches and the usual warfare so charncteristio of the Democratic Party. When the Convention meets, the debate of ‘ -i 1924 at Madison Square Garden is not . likely to be repeated.