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Editorial
January 23, 1929
The Daily Alaska Empire
Juneau, Juneau County, Alaska
What is this article about?
Editorial defends Gov. Smith's anti-Prohibition stance, arguing it did not cause the Democratic Party's 1928 election loss. Hypothetical scenario suggests strict Prohibition support would have worsened Democratic performance against Hoover.
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NO STRENGTH FOR DEMOCRATS IN PROHIBITION.
The pretense that Gov. Smith's position on Prohibition ruined the Democratic Party is absurd. Let us suppose for instance that the Republican Party had declared for the modification of the Volstead Act and the Eighteenth Amendment and nominated Hoover and the Democrats had nominated a Prohibitionist and declared in favor of a continuation of the Eighteenth Amendment and the Volstead Act and their rigid enforcement, what would have been the effect?
Does anyone question that the Republicans would have had a two to one majority of the popular vote? New York would have given Hoover a million or a million-and-a-half majority. The Democrats would have carried, probably, a few of the Southern States—they may have picked up a few more electoral votes than they got, but their showing in the popular vote would have been far worse than it was.
The Democratic Party may be a ruin, but Gov. Smith is not guilty. If it should turn out not to be a ruin it will be through following the vital leadership that he gave it.
The pretense that Gov. Smith's position on Prohibition ruined the Democratic Party is absurd. Let us suppose for instance that the Republican Party had declared for the modification of the Volstead Act and the Eighteenth Amendment and nominated Hoover and the Democrats had nominated a Prohibitionist and declared in favor of a continuation of the Eighteenth Amendment and the Volstead Act and their rigid enforcement, what would have been the effect?
Does anyone question that the Republicans would have had a two to one majority of the popular vote? New York would have given Hoover a million or a million-and-a-half majority. The Democrats would have carried, probably, a few of the Southern States—they may have picked up a few more electoral votes than they got, but their showing in the popular vote would have been far worse than it was.
The Democratic Party may be a ruin, but Gov. Smith is not guilty. If it should turn out not to be a ruin it will be through following the vital leadership that he gave it.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
Temperance
What keywords are associated?
Prohibition
Democratic Party
Gov Smith
Hoover
Volstead Act
Eighteenth Amendment
1928 Election
What entities or persons were involved?
Gov. Smith
Democratic Party
Republican Party
Hoover
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Defense Of Gov. Smith's Position On Prohibition
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Gov. Smith Against Blame For Democratic Loss
Key Figures
Gov. Smith
Democratic Party
Republican Party
Hoover
Key Arguments
Pretense That Smith's Position On Prohibition Ruined Democrats Is Absurd
Hypothetical Republican Support For Modification Would Lead To Two To One Popular Vote Majority
New York Would Give Hoover A Million Or Million And A Half Majority
Democrats Would Carry Few Southern States With Worse Popular Vote
Smith Not Guilty Of Ruining Party
Party Recovery Through Smith's Vital Leadership