UNITED STATES.

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 25 June 1924, Page 9

UNITED STATES.

ELECTING A PRESIDENT. THE DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION.

By Cable—Press Association —Copyright. NEW YORK, June 22. The Democratic Convention will open to-morrow. The alignment of forces has already clearly indicated that Mr Smith’s supporters have enlisted all factions designed to defeat Mr W. G. McAdoo. The test of strength appears to centre on the anti-Ku Klux plank. Mr Smith, being a Roman Catholic, and thus unlikely to obtain nomination, is striving to secure the unmistakable repudiation of the Klan, being especially supported by Mr Underwood in the crystallisation of the anti-McAdoo sentiment, which is also due to his connection with the oil scandals.

Mr McAdoo, in order to secure an adequate majority of 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 Davis (of Kansas), Mr Baker (ex-Secretary of War), Mr Houston (ex-Secretary of Agriculture), Governor Bryan (of Nebraska), and his brother (Mr William J. Bryan), who has been an aspirant since 189 6, have entered the race, the last named advancing a plank asking for a popular referendum, if possible, before the declaration of war.

Senator Grass advocates a plank that the United States should join the League of Nations, but various leaders do not favour the rehabilitation of like mainspring of the 19 20 debacle. It was this which revived the rumour of the so-called Wilson political will, 1 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 plans to thq Democratic Committee on Resolutions, women delegates and alternates. Many delegates have half a vote in order to seat a 'larger number of ladies. Leaders declare that the women have perfectly synchronised with the party organisation, and are supporting no special proposals, although many women’s organisations will appear independently before the Resolutions Committee. DEMOCRATIC “JUBILEE.” by Cubic —Tress Atsoci.iti«iii--Copyriglir. NEW YORK, June 23. 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 the camp, and consolidate the legions already assembled behind their favourites. From a'balcony Mr McAdoo exhorted a group of howling Western delegations to stand by him to the last ditch, they shouting 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.

REPUBLICANS ATTACKED. THE KEYNOTE SPEECH. A STRONG INDICTMENT. By Cable—Press Association—Copyright, NEW YORK, June 24.

Senator Harrison, in delivering the keynote speech at tlie opening of tbo Democratic Convention, made a driving and picturesque attack on the Republicans, especially concerning corruption in office, and briefly indicated tlie democratic virtues.

He said that despite the promises made during the 1920 campaign to reduce the cost of living every line of the Fordner tariff had increased in cost. The Taft Administration’s defeat was due to the Paync-Aldricli tariff measure providing an eleven cent, duty on wool. The same reactionary group now fastened a thirty-one cent, duty, on the same goods. The tariff not only added a four billion dollars burden on the American masses, but revealed the nation’s hypocrisy towards war-torn Europe, demanding payments upon the one hand and preventing payments upon the other. “Republic;-., morality is Spartan; it is not corruption, but tlie discovery of it. that constitutes the crime. Shall Mr Daugherty go unpunished? The Republican nominee stands forlorn and deserted, pilloried by his own party.”

Senator Harrison asked what had become of I lie 1921 pledges that the United States would join an Assoeia tiou of Nations; and he attacked the Senatorial negation of the World Court. lie praised Mr Wilson’s foreign policies, ,-md Ims courageous and democratic parlicipai ;.i!t in world undertakings. '['lie speaker m>xi allocked the State Department’s activities to aid American private interest,, to obtain control of the world’s oil .sources ; nruj concluded: “Mo will restore the dignity and integrity of public office punish rascals, enforce the law. whether it be violated hr Cungrc-vional bribe, or disreputable boot logger, and readjust tariff rates. Wo will go to the

relief of distressed agriculture, we will bare the campaign of bribery, and punish election frauds, and we shall assume, in manly fashion, our responsibilities to the world.’’ TWENTY ASPIRANTS FOR PRESIDENCY. ENTHUSIASM AT FEVEIt HEAT. By Cablo—Press Association—Copyright. NEW YORK, June 20. Tho Democratic National Convention will meet in Madison Square Gardens at noon on Tuesday, with twenty aspirants for tho Presidency. Mr W. G. MeAdoo stands well ahead, with Governor Al. Smith, the idol of New York democracy, second on the opening ballot. A rally in both camps to-day kindled enthusiasm to fever boat..