ROWDY DELEGATES

Southland Times, Issue 20525, 29 June 1928, Page 7

ROWDY DELEGATES

DEMOCRATIC ASSEMBLY

MEMBERS INDULGE IN HORSE-PLAY GOVERNOR SMITH’S STRENGTH (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) New York, June 27. News from the convention hall at Houston states that the Dsmocrats began their deliberations to-day with three solid hours’ music, and towards the end everybody seemed a little tired of it. The heat was too intensely uncomfortable for words. The attempt to seat a number of Louisiana delegates, known to be opposed to Governor Smith, was overwhelmingly defeated by the convention, indicating too clearly Governor Smith’s ascendancy.

Senator Robinson was chosen permanent chairman of the convention. The conviction is growing hourly that he will be the Vice-Presidential nominee. He made a short address, beginning with a slurring reference to Mr Hoover’s long residence in Britain, intimating that this disqualifies him for the Presidency. He caused astonishment by demanding that no wet plank be adopted in the Democratic platform.

“This is neither a Prohibition nor antiProhibition party,” he declared. The crowd was so surprised that it remained silent. He concluded with a plea for unity, saying:

“Let not Democrats suffer from self-in dieted wounds.”

The crowd went mad when he said religion is no disqualification for public pffice. Considerable scuffling occurred, and some really well-aimed blows to the jaw were given and received when the Georgia and Tennessee delegations quarrelled among themselves whether they should join the Smith demonstration. A fight in the Alabama delegation caused the summoning of eight policemen to protect the standard. There was a fearful tumult, but it was all good-natured horse-play in com parison with what has happened at previous Democratic conventions.

The picturesque New York Mayor, Mr “Jimmy” Walker, who began his career as a song writer, rose to offer a resolution for the recess until seven in the evening, but the band interrupted with selections from his songs.—Australian Press Association. “WETS AND DRYS.” EXPONENTS AT GRIPS. SMITH’S NOMINATION MOVED. (Rec. 5.15 p.m.) Washington, June 27. The platform committee, after holding a meeting in the local library, adjourned as hopelessly deadlocked as ever. Senator Tydings, representing the “Wets” leaped upon Senator Glass of the “Drys” and the men were separated with difficulty. It was an open row with Mr Moody declaring that unless the plank declares for the strict enforcement of the Eighteenth Amendment and a promise made not to modify the Volstead Act he will take the issue to the Flood Convention. This will inevitably occur and after a stormy session the convention will unquestionably accept the compromise plank already outlined.

When the convention resumed in the evening Mr Franklin Roosevelt, a distant relative of the ex-President and who offered Governor Smith’s nomination in 1924, rose again for the same purpose. Mr Roosevelt, who is a tall handsome man seriously crippled by infantile paralysis, hobbled to the rostrum. Referring to Governor Smith’s honesty he said: “I speak of that honesty that lets men sleep well of nights, fearing no Senatorial investigation.” He attacked Republican corruption in a single sentence: “The soul of our country, lulled by mere material prosperity, has passed through eight grey years.” Mr Roosevelt concluded with a promise that Governor Smith will do more for international peace than can be done by a mathematical reduction of armaments or pious declarations. The ex-Secretary of the Navy, Mr Daniels, delivered a eulogy on Mr Brian. Senator George’s name was offered in nomination and the Prohibitionists staged a little demonstration, carrying a huge banner with the legend: “The Constitution will be preserved.” They were not noisy enough to be impressive. It was Mr Roosevelt’s nomination of Governor Smith that produced true pandemonium. Thirty thousands persons had crowded into the hall and the gates were locked. Every mention of Governor Smith’s name produced such wild shrieks of joy as were never heard before any convention.

When Mr Roosevelt finished it seemed as if the multitude would tear the structure down. No little contrivance of either noise or colour was forgotten. Rattles roared and from the roof rained glittering balloons. It seemed impossible to doubt Governor Smith’s popularity. Mrs Ross (Wyoming) seconded Governor Smith’s nomination and again the crowd nearly tore itself in two with a delirium of joy. One, of course, must not forget the fights. Many a reluctant head was cracked if its owner declined to march and dance with the Smith partisans. There were only a few State delegations, chiefly from the die-hard Southern States that stubbornly declined to join the Smith parade. It was getting late and there was a plethora of speeches seconding Governor Smith’s nomination. It was a tiring business and imperceptibly the hall half emptied itself. Some fairly unknown individuals were then placed in nomination and worn out by the end of a day that one noted writer compared climatically to a day in Hell. The convention adjourned at midnight until 10.30 to-morrow morning.—Australian Press Association. THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE. RESIGNATION FROM OFFICE. (Rec. 5.15 p.m.) Washington, June 27. Mr Hoover’s office has announced that he will resign the post of Secretary of Commerce at an early date in order to devote his entire time to the Presidential campaign. The definite date of his resignation was not announced, but it is believed that Mr Hoover will tender his withdrawal to President Coolidge about July 15 when he visits the President at his summer White House residence at Brule, Wisconsin. It is rumoured that Mr Hoover will be replaced by either Dr. Julius Klein, chief of the Bureau of Foreign and Domestic Commerce, or Mr Walter Brown, Assistant Secretary of Commerce. The secretary of the Interior and the newly-selected Republican National chairman will also resign office about the same time.—Australian Press Association.