Kammala jumla mai zuwa: Smith ya kasance memba na Jam'iyyar Democrat. Ya yi nasara ba tare da nasara ba ga Babban Shari'ar Wisconsin a 1879. Ya kasance wakili ne ga
Taron kasa na Jam'iyyar Democrat na 1880 da kuma 1888 Democratic National Convention. Daga baya, ya yi aiki a Majalisar Dokokin Wisconsin a 1892.