IN THE ASCENDANT

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 147, 23 June 1928, Page 9

IN THE ASCENDANT

NOMINATION OF SMITH DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE REGARDED AS CERTAIN United Press Association—By Electric Teligraph—Copyright. , ' NEW TOEK, 21st June., Governor Smith's ascendancy for the Democratic nomination as President has now reached a stage where overy indication points to his victory. Nothing but a political up.heaval is likely now to defeat him, and perhaps the most significant indication of this is the fact that Mr. M'Adoo has announced that he has not only withdrawn from, pre-convention considerations, but will not even attend the convention. "This tacit admission of defeat is politically eloquent. RELIGION AND PROHIBITION! Senator Eeed's candidacy, moreover, lias failed to assume anything like importance. It cannot hinder the amazing and spontaneous popular strength that has mustered behind Smith's candidacy. A fact which is disclosed is

Who appears likely to receive Democratic support for the Presidency of the United States. ' '

the tacit admission that Smith is not likely to have any difficulty in obtaining the necessary two-thirds majority of the 1100 delegates on the early ballot. This does not mean that a fierce attack will not be made on Smith, 'since the Prohibition and anti-Roman Catli-' olio groups derive strength from the fact that they ostensibly are in politics because of their convictions, and not simply professionally. Thoy will fight to the end for their' "cause." This fact is expected to produce " fireworks " at the convention. ' '..'■■ " ■ The Vice-Presidential choice will "probably be dictated by Smith's forces, and it is inevitable that' hd will be a western man. This is discernible in the facts that the Hoover managers have disclosed that Hoover, the Republican candidate, during the campaign will make his principal fight in the East, believing the West to be already Republican. It is obvious that Smith's strength lies in the large Eastern cities, and that the Democrats must centre their fight in the West. Therefore^ they must choose a Vice-President who will appeal to that section of the country. PLANKING A PLATFOEM. In the Democratic platform there will be tremendous and biting condemnation of the alleged corruption of high Republican officials in office, with large, campaign expenses from tainted sources. Prohibition will prodUco a fight, but the difficulties in the party will probably be got over by declaring tamely for law enforcement.' The Democrats will make a bid for tho farmers' support with an agricultural plank which will make staunch promises .to the farmers. The tariff question will, of course, play its part, tout'though there may be open quarrelling and bitter speeches, ' and tlic usual warfare so characteristic of tho Democratic Party,when, the Convention meets, the debacle of 1924 at Madison Square Garden is not.likely to be ro•pcated.