NO DECISION

Southland Times, Issue 19292, 10 July 1924, Page 5

NO DECISION

THE DEMOCRATIC NOMINEE LONG DRAWN OUT CONVENTION “THE PICTURE OF FUTILITY.” (By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YORK, July 8. (Received July 9, 9.5 p.m.) After the recess at the Democratic Convention, Mr Roosevelt announced that Governor Smith was ready to withdraw if Mr McAdoo would do so. Mr McAdoo’s forces say- he will never withdraw. Senator Ralston’s representative announced that he desired his principal’s withdrawal to be considered final. Ballotting was resumed, a report being circulated that Mr Davis would show increased strength before long. There were mingled humorous and pathetic touches during the long drawn out hours. The Chairman announced the deaths of several prominent Democratic leaders, while messages telling of the deaths of friends and relatives of various delegates were also announced. A Tennessee delegate informed the Convention that many members of his delegation had grown tired and returned home. Hundreds of ’delegates, wearied and withnot funds, have been leaving and these actually remaining are only the skeletons df delegations. Little things are now attracting the Convention’s attention. Some lady lost a valuable diamond pin and the Chairman announced that a policeman was the finder. The Convention cheered his name to the echo. One delegate cast a vote for Marc Anthony. The Convention’s serious features, however, are not lacking. It appears either Mr McAdoo or Governor Smith may set up as independent candidates. Mr McAdoo’s forces frankly admit that they hope Govenor Smith will make the first move to renounce allegiance to the present Democratic Party. The Convention in the meantime, continues to present the broadest pictures of futility. The 96th ballot showed: McAdoo 421, Smith 359, Davis 171. Senator Ralston announced that he would not accept the Democratic nomination in any circumstances. His name was accordingly withdrawn. MR MCADOO’S DECISION. INFLUENCE FOR MR MEREDITH. NEW YORK, July 8. (Received July 10, 1.0 a.m.) Mr McAdoo, after repeated conferences with his lieutenants, has decided to throw his strength in the Convention to Mr E. T. Meredith, of lowa, who was secretary of Agriculture in President Wilson’s Cabinet. The 99th ballot showed: McAdoo 3534, Smith 353, Davis 210, Underwood 394, Glass 30, Meredith 37. This was a loss of 424 for Mr McAdoo, a loss of one for Governor Smith and a gain of 151 for Mr Davis. MR MCADOO’S WITHDRAWAL. LETTER TO THE CHAIRMAN. GOVERNOR SMITH STILL IN THE LEAD. NEW YORK, July 9. (Received July 10, 1 a.m.) Early on Wednesday morning Mr McAdoo released his delegates, as the Convention went into 100th ballot. Earlier, Mr Smith had informed the Convention through Mr Franklin Roosevelt that as soon as Mr McAdoo signed his removal from the contest he would do likewise. In a letter to the Chairman, Senator Walsh, Mr McAdoo said that the Convention had been in session for fortnight and appeared to be unable to make a nomination under the two-thirds rule. This unfavourable situation is imperilling party success,” he said. “I feel that should I withdraw my name I should betray the trust confided in me by the people of many States. Therefore, as I am unwilling to contribute to the continuation of a hopeless deadlock I have determined to leave my friends and supporters free to take action as seems, in their judgment, to be in the best interests of the Party.

As the night wore on, Mr McAdoo apparently reconsidered his defiance, and the Hall buzzed with rumours to the effect that he was preparing a letter embodying a great renunciation in favour of either Senator Walsh or the ex Secretary of Agriculture, Mr Meredith. The letter, however, poved anti-climatic and equivocal when read before the Convention. Mr McAdoo in it omitted to mention withdrawal, but merely released his previously loyal delegates to act according to their individual judgment. This caused an unexpected diminution in his adherents, including California, which split for the first time since balloting began, giving him only 16 out of 26 votes. The 100th ballot showed: Mr McAdoo 190, Governor Smith 351, Mr Davis 203, Mr Meredith 75, Senator Walsh. 52. Mr Smith’s adherents held firm, distrusting Mr McAdoo’s statement, and preferring an outright renunciation before deserting Mr Smith, who apparently does not recognise Mr McAdoo’s retirement until unequivocally made. The Convention then adjourned in a hopeful mood because the evidence of iceberg opposition was beginning to melt. Soothsayers expect a definite break today with the possibility of a nomination.