THE BIG ISSUE

Hokitika Guardian, 3 November 1928, Page 6

THE BIG ISSUE

ELECTIONS IN TJ.S.A

PROHIBITION BATTLE

MR, SMITH’S DF.TERMIXATION

NEW YORK, October 30

Prohibition as an issue in the Presidential campaign seemed to have exhausted tlm possibility of new aspects under Mr Al. Smith’s full explosion of his views, but a-chance statement by the Democratic Presidential nominee, in answer to an assertion by the cxS’ecrelary of State, Air Charles It. Hughes, that it was a “sham battle” has disclosed a further fact. It was claimed that despite Air Smith’s wet views, he. as President, could not produce any basic change in the law or constitution and this was said to salve the consciences of those members of the Democratic Party who. despite their dry views, still supported AH Smith; but the latter, in answering Air Hughes, declared that the President can do a considerable amount toward furthering the repeal movement, and as President he intends to do so. Observers declare that “dry” Democrats will now desert Air Smith in droves, but interestly enough the Governor of New York seems little frightened of this prospect. He spoke at Baltimore last night and intensified his arguments against Prohibition. He denounced the Anti-Saloon League which withdrew its support from Senator Norris for supporting AH Smith, adding: -“I can think of no greater force for evil than an organisation which threatens disaster to a public statesman who does not submit to its 'dictation..” INCREASING POPULAR ITT.

“The Volstead law is not an article of religions faith—yon cannot make a new sin by law; it was not inscribed on the tablets of stone that were handed down by A Rises— it is no sin,” Air Smith lias stated.

Observers cannot agree as to whether Air Smith is wise or unwise politically, but more cautious commentators point to several important facts. Ibe total number of votes cast at the IDP I election was 29,000.000. It is now estimated that the enrolment for the coming election may he between 43.000,009 to 45.000.000. New York State, for instance. reports a 25 per cent, increase in enrolment. It- is estimated on the basis of these figures that 35.000,000 persons may vote.

The augmented oleetorat is not only due to the natural increase in population, as the new voters are principally woman, and this “silent vote’’ puzzles everyone. It- may produce the surprise of the election, sweeping aside every present surface indication that the trend of sentiment is for AH Herbert Hoover.

There is a surprising feature in a statement made hy Air AVork, one ol Air Hoover’s organisers, that the Rcpublioans will be victorious in the wheat and maize States. He lists ten of the States west of the AI ississippi. hut strangely fails to mention North Dakota, South Dakota, Alissouri, and Wisconsin. Politicians’ statesments are usually niost inclusive in their claims of victory, hut this pointed omission of four States, two or which gave the Progressives strong support in 1924. scents an amazing admission that the Democrats have entrenched themselves there.

Moreover, New A r ork State, with its important 45 electoral votes and Democratic cities, and Republican agricultural areas, is considered a doubtful (Mate as are Afassachusetts. Connecticut. Rhode Island, and New Jersey, which are normally Republican. These great Eastern seaboard States, with their crowded urban centres, seem to find a great appeal in Air Smith’s policies. It is in the foregoing facts that the seed of the unexpected may be sprouting. and leads careful observers to refrain from dogmatism as concerns the result of the election.