The sun., 1919-02-09


unfortunate of great city. This
information does not come to him
through any organization that prom-
ises to Investigate and report" 1t is
first hand, and he knows what appeals
are genuine.
In all his years Of political associa-
ton he has never failed to meet many
persons who to-day claim his personal
friendship. 1t IL only fair to him to
say that he never saw a man in need
when he did not go to his rescue. and
in his store Of memories he will some-
times talk about he forgets they ever
were bad-"Just unfortunate"
Has Had Ample Experience.
In looking over the life of AL Smith
one gets the idea that he was lucky
being elected Governor by a margin Of
more than $4,000. But think what he
has had In the way OF experience. For
years and years, az men go in a State
legislative body. he represented tho
lowly section Of Manhattan. This Sec
ton embraced the part better known
in the neighborhood of the Brooklyn
Bridge and east Of the Bowery as tho
Cherry Hill section. 1t is a misnomer,
as the hill is further up and not in
that part from which he originally
came. He did go to Albany as a repre-.
sentative with some votes given him
by the people of this part OF the dis
trict. He never lived there.
Then after being at Albany so long
he was selected as a candidate for
Sheriff Of New York county. That
Office he easily won. Then his term
expiring. the political powers decided
| that he would be n first class candidate
for President OF the Board of Alder-
men. He was. He was elected. There
he stayed until a campaign in which
Tammany Hall had to reckon on prob
able Democratic opposition up tho
State came along and a man to beat
| the then Governor, Charles S. Whit.
man, was needed.
Smith without much opposition was
chosen to make the run. What he did
In the way of party harmonizing Ia
now a matter OF history. He won
easily and under conditions that soma
OF the political managers say were
luck, since he had many unfortunate
obstacles to overcome in the way Of
a campaign. He did not have a chance
to campaign up State because of the
influenza epidemic that was then rag
ing. He confined his efforts mostly to
being heard at tho New York end Of
the state. He could not do otherwise.
Any man who has been acting
Mayor of New York must Of necessity
know a great deal about the handling
OF city governments. This Al Smith
knew He had but a few weeks enjoy-
ment of sitting in for the present Mayor
of New York and he had been a close
student OF the job. 1t was a job for
anybody. as he know all along. He
said so to his friends. He knew when
the regular Mayor was back he would
do as he pleased so far as the position
would permit but while Al was there
he felt himself. in the circumstance,
restricted.
All Of this experience he took to
Albany. He has been just as versa
tile there as he was here in New York,
short as the time has been. and he
really is the Governor Of the State. He
said he would be. and after forty days
of his record who shall say he is not?
Every time Al Smith comes to New
! York he goes into the district that
promoted him. He sleeps in his
Oliver street home, which is only five
minutes walk from Brooklyn Bridge.
lie walks about his district as he did
in the days gone by. Not one who
ever knew him could say that he has
changed bit-the same regular Al as
ever. His trips are now looked on as
a mere casual homecoming of one of
the boys of the district. Tho coming
home OF the boy in khaki or sailor
blue gets more immediate notice than
does AIS happening back among his
neighbors and friends.
But when these trips arc made to
s New York, and he goes TO other cities.
too he has more than the desire natu-
z raj in his position to sec his constitu-
$ ents. He wants to see his mother, who
n is still alive and takes keen interest
= in all that Al does to make the world
( more decent.
OF Rugged Type Physically.
!. Gov. Smith is Of the rugged type
l. physically. He loves to walk the
t Brooklyn Bridge on his way TO his
: sisters home in Brooklyn, where his
II mother makes her home. II was hts
duty when living here. lie considers
Q it his duty now,
q | III AIuduy Tic Aldo Iio
h fads other than those no shows when
d back in his home town. lie likes the
: commonplace of life. lie insists that
70 all are equal. 1t is not political grand
5 standing when no draws himself up
e to his full five feet ten and assuming
lie the air OF Booth or Barrett aiiirms,
o. I'VE are all equal" He means it.
,e When in New York Al cannot forego
10 the regular meeting at his political
~ club in Madison street, in which place
n he learned all the politics he knows. 1t
n is here that he keeps in touch with the
n moro intimate lower town affairs. He
al is there under the eye of the man
- who put politics into his life. and hs
d. told him at the outset to keep faith
n with his people. The substance of the
of speech, made but once. was: ."Nevel
fool man. friend or foe. II you cant
ed do what he asks, don't lie TO him
& BE able to say yes and no and near
he | 1t when YOU say it,"
". NJ Smith says that is the way ht
u was brought up in politics and the WAY
in he will continue to play the game S,
st. long as he is Governor Of New York.