POLITICAL NOTES: Gentlemen All

Some 20 state governors gathered last week at Mackinac Island, Mich., made speeches, ate dinners, held round table discussions. Gentlemen all, and realizing that the personnel of the meeting included both Democrats and Republicans, the Governors discussed most controversial questions in a non-controversial manner. Prohibition, so burning a question that it is almost certain to provoke heated debate, they did not even mention. Among prominent governors present were Lennington Small, Illinois; John E. Martineau, Arkansas; Ed Jackson, Indiana; John Hammill, Iowa; Ralph O. Brewster, Maine (president of the conference) ; and Albert C. Ritchie of Maryland. Among prominent governors not present were Dan Moody, Texas; Alvan T. Fuller, Massachusetts; Alfred E. Smith, New York; Charles C. Young, Calfornia; George W. P. Hunt,* Arizona.

The convention discussed three main topics: farm relief, election expenses, flood control. Farm relief brought out the most lively expressions of opinion. Governor John Hammill of Iowa and Governor Adam McMullen of Nebraska, indeed, distinctly rippled the placid surface of conference debate. Said Governor Hammill: “The era in which we are living presents a challenge to the men whom the people of this nation have placed in positions of high responsibility. Either they must do what needs to be done’… or they must make way for others who will.” (Governor Hammill is a pronounced Lowden man.) Then Governor McMullen said: “The time is past for the farmer to plead for what he should have. The time is here for him to demand what is rightfully his. We should challenge the right of any administration … to proceed further in the industrialization of the nation at the expense of agriculture.”

Election expenses. No governor became excited over the corrupt practices act (limiting campaign expenses), but a onetime governor, Gifford Pinchot of Pennsylvania, an honorary member of the Conference, flayed Senator-elect William S. Vare of Pennsylvania and included in his caustic words Secretary of the Treasury Andrew W. Mellon. The Conference listened, decided that candidates for office who had knowingly violated the corrupt practices act should not be allowed to hold their seats, thus begging the question and naming no names.

Flood control. As for flood control, everyone agreed that the Federal Government should bear the expense of future flood-prevention measures.

Remarks. A scattering of gubernatorial observations:

Governor Lennington Small, Illinois: “Illinois is for farm relief, wants it and is going to get it.”

Governor Frank C. Emerson, Wyoming: “The open primary is breaking down the system of government.”

Governor Ed Jackson, Indiana, at present more or less involved in the Ku Klux Klan disclosures emanating from David C. Stephenson (see CORRUPTION), said that he had a sympathetic interest in all the questions discussed and was willing to cooperate fully in bettering the country.

Governor Adam McMullen, Nebraska: “Governor Ritchie is a man of presidential timber.” (Governor McMullen is a Republican; Governor Ritchie, a Democrat.)

Governor John G. Richards, South Carolina: “I regard the great national sin today the want of a proper observance of the Sabbath.”

* Famed Governor George Wylie Paul Hunt of Arizona is termed, bypolitical opponents (Republicans), “George VI,” for he isserving his sixth term as Arizona s governor and enemies see in hisrepeated terms a Hunt dynasty. They called him “George V”during his previous term, and now “George VI” says he hopesto make it George VII, VIII and IX before he dies.