U.S. PRESIDENCY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 31 October 1928, Page 7

U.S. PRESIDENCY

PROHIBITION ISSUE. GOVERNOR SMITH’S VIEWS. ELECTION .PROSPECTS. . . .i. o Cross Association—By Electric lek-grat>ii Copyright.) (Australian Press Association. —United Service.) NEW YORK, Oct. 30. Prohibition as an issue m the presidential campaign seemed to have exhausted the- possibility of new aspects under Governor. Smith's lull exposition of his views, but a chance statement oy the Democratic nominee, in answer to Mr. Hughes’s assertion that it was a ‘/sham battle,” has disclosed the further fact, it is claimed, that despite Governor 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 or the Democratic Party who, despite their “dry” views, still supported Governor Smith. Mr. Smith, in answering Mr. Hughes, declared that the President could. do a . considerable amount towards turther. the. repeal movement, and as president he intended to do so. Observers declare that the “dry’ Democrats will now desert Mr. Smith in droves, but, interestingly enough, Mr. Smith 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 support from Mr. Norris for supporting Mr. Smith, adding: “I can think- of no greater force for evil than that organisation which threatens disaster to the. statesman who does "not submit to its dictation.” “The Volsead law is not an article of religious faith,” said Mr. Smith. “Yon cannot make a new sin by law. It was not inscribed on the tablets of stone that were handed down .by Moses, and it is no sin.” Observers cannot agree whether, Mr. Smith is wise- or unwise politically, but more cautious commentators point to several important facts. The total votes cast in the 1924 election - were 29,000,090. It is now estimated that the enrolment' for the coming election may be between 43,000,000 and 45,C00,030. * 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 electorate is not only due to the natural increase in population. The new voters are principally women, and this “silent vote” puzzles everyone. It may produce the surprise of the election by sweeping aside every present surface indication that the trend of sentiment is for Mr. Hoover. There is a surprising feature in the statement made by Mr. H. Work that the Republicans will be victorious in the wheat and maize States. He lists ten of the commonwealth west of the Mississippi, hut strangely fails to mention' North Dakota, South Dakota, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Politicians’ statements are usually most inclusive in claims of victory, but this pointed omission of four States, two of which gave the Progressives strong support in 1924, seems an amazing admission that the Democrats have entrenched themselves there. Moreover, New York State, with its important 45 electoral votes, its Democratic cities and Repubican agricultural areas, is considered a doubtful State, as are Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and New Jersey, which are normally Republican. These great eastern seaboard States, with crowded urban centres, seem to find a great appeal in Mr. Smith’s policies. ]t. is in the foregoing facts that the i seed of the unexpected may be sprouting, and leads careful observers to refrain - from dogmatism as concerns the result of ■ the 'election.