He served as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta from 1926 to 1935 sitting with the Dominion Labor caucus in opposition.

[1] Smeaton ran for a second term in office in the 1930 Alberta general election.

He defeated two other candidates including Lethbridge Mayor Robert Barrowman on the second vote count once again to hold his seat.

[2] Smeaton ran for a third term in office in the 1935 Alberta general election.

Smeaton was badly defeated finishing third place behind Barrowman and Hans Wight who won the district for Social Credit.