U.S. PRESIDENCY

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1928, Page 5

U.S. PRESIDENCY

BITTERNESS SHOWN

(I'nited Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copy i >gnt). Received tliis dav at 0.20. a.in.) XUAY YORK, Nov. 2. As was anticipated the ro-entr,\ ol the religions issue lias resulted in exceptional bitterness in the pulitical campaign. and in a statement repulsing charges of bigotry the Republican National Committee has declared:— ‘•The vituperative outcry of 'I amnia nv slandermongers is the most despicable exhibition this country has ever witnessed of bigotry that knows no decency.” The final sentence in the same statement is probably one of the strongest bearing the official stamp of American political party “The campaign has descended from the ol Now York to the gutters of >’c"' York.” . , The reference here is to a popnlai son" about the footpaths of New York which have been adopted by the Demoeratis as a description ol fimith’s rise to fame as a city bred man. The Democratic National Committee has produced a number of legal documents to prove that the Republicans are distributing literature asking for opposition to Smith, because lie is a Catholic, and demands it be stopped. Senator Aliases. one of Hoovers campaign manager's was charged with responsibilty. He lias replied that he cannot remember whether the merature sent out confa'ued religions matter, and added: ‘Baskos and bis Presidential candidate in the closing davs of the campaign are like Mohammedans, proclaiming n Holy War.” St. Louis headouarters of the Bemo{.ri,tie National Committee have been busy for weeks flooding certain .sections of the country with vicious attacks upon Hoover’s religious faith. The .Republican National Committee declared: “Under the mockery ol denouncing it. the Democrats have introduced the religious issue until it is now apparent that this shameful subterfuge has been artfully employed to substitute passion and prejudice for serious consideration in issues.” Whether this new emphasis upon the religious issue will change the populai trend, which is still unmisiakeable for Hoover, is difficult to say. It: is clear, however, that Smith’s managers are now ready to employ every device known to political artifice to command popular attention and support. 1 It is avowed, that New York State is I the doubtful ground. There is no clear indication how it will go. but for a variety of reasons it is clear that Smith on„not lose New York State and win the election, although the same is not true for Hoover. New York City is staunchly democratic in the sense that it has always supported Smith as Governor. Campaign managers have therefore decided upon a monster parade through tlm Citv streets, led by Smith and with admitted showmanship it is conceded they will so manage the demonstrations as to show popular enthusiasm, even exceeding the reception of Lindberg. The proof that such a demonstration may have a political effect is even seen . in the fact that Wall Street betting i commissioners declare it will probably ; have a decided effect on the betting odds.

The eamnain lias entered a phase of .( al v ul crowd manoeuvring.