U.S. PRESIDENCY

Southland Times, Issue 19279, 25 June 1924, Page 5

U.S. PRESIDENCY

THE APPROACHING FIGHT DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION TWENTY ASPIRANTS FOR NOMINA • TION. .(By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Reuter’s Telegrams.) NEW YORK, June 24. (Received June 24, 9.20 p.m.) The Democratic National Convention will meet in Madison Square Garden at noon on Tuesday with twenty aspirants. for the Presidency. Mr H. G. McAdoo stands well ahead, with Governor Al. Smith, the idol of New York Demrocacy, backed by enough votes to put him second on the opening ballot. Rallies in both camps today kindled enthusiasm to fever heat. THE KEYNOTE SPEECH. HOT ATTACK ON REPUBLICANS. NEW YORK, June 24. Senator Harrison, delivering the keynote speech at the opening of the Democratic Convention, made a driving and picturesque attack on the Republicans, especially with reference to corruption in office, and briefly indicated the Democratic virtues. He said that despite the promises made during the 1920 campaign to reduce the cost of living, every line of the Fordney Tariff had increased the cost. The Taft Administration’s defeat was due to the Payne-Aldrich Tariff measure providing an eleven-cent duty on wool. The same reactionary group had now fastened a thirty-one-cent duty on the same goods. The tariff not only added four billion dollars to the burden on the American masses, but revealed the nation’s hypocrisy towards war-torn Europe in demanding payments upon one hand and preventing payments upon the other. “Republican morality is Spartan,” he said. “It is not the corruption, but the discovery of it that constitutes a crime. Shall Dougherty go unpunished ? The Republican nominee stands forlorn, deserted and pilloried by his own party.” Senator Harrison asked what had become of the 1921 pledges that the United States would join the Association of Nations. He attacked the senatorial negation of the World Court and praised the late President Wilson’s foreign policies and courageous democratic participation in world undertakings. The speaker next attacked, the State Department’s activities to aid American private interests to obtain control of the world’s oil sources. Senator Harrison concluded: ‘We will restore the dignity and integrity of public office, punish the rascals and enforce the law, whether it be violated by Congressional bribe-takers or disreputable boot-leggers. We will readjust the tariff rates. We will go to the relief of distressed agriculture, to bare the campaign of bribery and to punish election frauds. W T e shall assume in manly fashion our responsibilities to the world.” THE LEAGUE ISSUE REPUDIATION OF KU KLUX KLAN. ENTHUSIASTIC DEMONSTRATION. NEW YORK, June 23. The Democratic Convention opens to-mor-row. The alignment of forces has already clearly indicated that Mr Smith’s proponents have enlisted all factoms designed to defeat Mr McAdoo. The test of strength appears to centre on the anti-Ku Klux Klan, Mr Smith, being a Roman Catholic, is thus unlikely to obtain nomination. He

j striving to secure unmistakable repudiation of the Klan being especially supported by Mr Underwood in that crystallisation of anti-McAdoo sentiments which is also due to his connection with the oil scandals. Mr McAdoo, in order to secure an adequate majority of the delegates, is endeavouring to get the platform filled with innocuous pronouncements on every so-called personal liberty issue. Presidential aspirants meanwhile are increasing. Senator Robinson, ex-Senator Pomerene, Governor Ritchie, of Maryland, Governor Davies, of Kansas, Mr Baker (exSecretary of War), Mr Houston (ex-Secre-tary of Agriculture), Governor Bryan, of Nebraska and his brother, William J. Bryan, who has been an aspirant since 1896, have entered the race, the last-named advancing a plank asking for a popular referendum if possible before a declaration of war. Senator Grass advocated a plank that the United States join the League of Nations but various leaders do not favour the re-habilitation of main-spring of the 1926 debacle. It was this which revived the rumour of the so-called ‘Wilson’s political will,” which is without foundation. Various groups seeking the inclusion of special planks in the platform have left Cleveland for New York, to present the same pleas to the Democratic Committee. The leaders declare that women perfectly synchronised with party organisation and are supporting no special proposals, although many women’s organisations will appear independently before the Resolutions Committee.

The great quadrennial Jubilee of Democracy is passing through the final fevered state of pre-convention rivalry and enthusiasm. Manhattan resounds to the tramp of cheering delegations and the blare of marching bands, while outrunners from the forces of the principal candidates scurry everywhere to bring new arrivals into camp and consolidate the legions already assembled behind their favourites.

From a balcony, Mr McAdoo exhorted a group of howling Western delegations to stand to him to the last ditch, and ;hey shouted back assurances that they would. New York noisily acclaimed allegiance to its favourite, Mr A. L. Smith, in the greatest parade in the history of the city. The McAdoo and Smith supporters continue to claim victory.