MOVE TO ACCLAIM GOVERNOR SMITH MADE IN SOUTH.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18469, 22 May 1928, Page 10

MOVE TO ACCLAIM GOVERNOR SMITH MADE IN SOUTH.

RACE, RELIGION AND LIQUOR PLAYING BIG PART IN SELECTION. (United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) NEW YORK, May 21. With an apparent victory for Gover nor Smith in the Oregon primaries, thus adding ten delegates to the impressive following of which he is already assured at the Democratic National Convention, efforts are being renewed to bring about arrangements by which he will be nominated by acclamation. This intense optimism, so characteristic of American political campaigns when a favourite aspirant for nomination seems headed for vie tory, however, has another side to it. Mr Smith must have the solid support of the southern States to obtain nomination, yet yesterday the Southern Baptist Church, with a membership of 3,700,000, and with immense political influence, at its annual conven tion, held •at Chattanooga!, pledged itself to break the party lines rather than see an “ unnamed friend of the liquor/ interests ” become President of the United States. A tremendous discussion occurred before this decision was taken, but a threat to bolt from the Democratic Party is no small menace, and Mr Smith has yet to overcome it before he obtains nomination. Strangely enough, the movement for Mr Smith’s nomination by acclamation is of southern origin. His supporters there are intensely beset by the problem of overcoming the south’s, inherent suspicion of Roman Catholicism and the “ wets.” Nevertheless, they are determined that an issue of a similar nature may succeed in overcoming southern disinclination to nominate Mr Smith, and have pounced with great glee upon an order issued by Mr H. C. Hoover, the Republican candidate, abolishing the practice of segregating negro from white employees in the Department of Commerce. A story is circulated in this connection that the order was due to President Coolidge’s wish, but it nevertheless brings up a race issue that may very well remove the last vestige of southern dislike of Mr Smith, since it is being, whispered that he would revoke Mr Hoover’s order if elected.

One cannot overstress the importance of the race question in the south. Many things can grow from it, such as, for instance, Tennessee, which sometimes goes Republican in the national elections, going solidly Democratic next November. Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentuqky, Mississippi, Missouri, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia, with 254 delegates, are classed up to date as being opposed to Mr Smith’s nomination. Will the magic of the race issue swing them toward him? It is possible. Moreover, it is understood that some pressure is being brought to bear to induce Senator Reed, the runner-up in the Democratic contest, to withdraw and declare for ‘Mr Smith, but Mr Reed’s attitude is such that he is not likely to yield. He holds that a good general does not surrender his army when “ his skirmish line ” is driven back. Mr Reed may not succeed in getting nomination himself, but, since 734 Democratic delegates are needed to assure nomination, it can be seen that he may possibly control enough delegates, which, added to the delegates of the southern opposed States, may block Mr Smith's nomination at the last moment. Mr Hoover’s position, despite the Indiana defeat, continues to be the best of any Republican aspirant. His friends claim 500 delegates for him, and onlv 545 are required for nomination, but his less optimistic supporters aje inclined to be a little bitter over what they call the “ Lowden-Dawes game.” This consists in keeping exGovernor Lowden before the public eye as an important contender for the Presidential nomination, while his support is sought for Vice-President Dawes, who himself continues to be the least discussed of all possible nominees. Mr Lowden’s line of political argument is the same as it was in 1920 and 1924 —agricultural relief. This must be said in justice to himself. He came three days ago to New’ York, and in this frankly and even brutally industrial and financial centre he would talk of nothing but the farmer and his needs. Some commentators went so far as to say that he was a farmer come to the city. Mr Hoover’s friends are far from losing sight of Mr Lowden’s sharp and unwavering line of attack. They counter it by stressing Mr Hoover’s great popular appeal. A pronunciamento issued last night by Mr Hoover’s Washington manager stated:—“The convincing thing about his candidacy has been the fact that his strength is confined to no class.” Probab l - the manager, however, did not forget that this very same, argument will be advanced on behalf of Mr Dawes at Kansas City. Mr Hoover’s supporters would like it better if Mr Dawes’s candidacv came out into the open.—Australian Press Association.