The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1924-07-24

| NATURE VI u kJClnOIldthS iOvOlCa't-
was addressed by Governor Smith
Governor Cox, the Democratic nomi
nee, Mr.. Davis, and several others. Al
midnight the convention recessed fol
one hour, at the end Of the recess one
ballot was taken for the vice presi
Dental nomination, and the conven
ton adjourned shortly before three
o'clock Thursday morning.
The contest in the Democratic con-
vention broke all records and all pre-
cedents. The greatest number of bal
lots that had ever been cast in a po-
litical convention before was that of
the Democratic party in 1880 at
Charleston, when 81 ballots were cast
! In that city, and the convention was
then adjourned to Baltimore where
two additional ballots were taken, re-
sulting in the nomination of Stephen
A. Douglas. The recent convention
sets a record that Is not likely to be
equaled, at least not in the present
generation.
1t broke all precedents in that the
campaign Of the leading candidates
were conducted by principals and not
by managers. Mr.. McAdoo and Mr..
Smith were both on the ground; they
were within 100 feet of the entrance
to the convention hall, and within 30
feet of each other, and from these
points Of vantage they directed their
own campaigns and were their own
political stategists.
Back of 1t all, lay the shadow Of
the Khan. The fight over the Khan
plank in the platform had engendered
an intense feeling on the part Of the
two contending factions, the one led
by Governor Smith and the other BY
Mr.. McAdoo. When on Monday, juno
30, the first ballot was taken. +
showed Mr. McAdoo with the greater
number Of votes, but with Governor
Smith controlling directly or Indirect
ly at least good third Of the dele
gates. Neither Of the two leaders
gave way, or unless one could break
the seemingly solid phalanxes Of the
other. 1t was under such conditions
that both took personal command OF
their forces instead of leaving the d.
rection Of the campaign In the hands
OF their managers.
Others in Limelight
Aside from the two leaders there
were. as serious contenders for the |
Senator Ralston, backed |
by the solid Indiana delegation; SEN
ator Glass, backed by Virginia John
w. Davis, backed by West Virginia
Ex- Governor Cox, backed by Ohio;
Senator Salisbury. backed by the six !
votes Of Delaware; Governor Richie,
backed by Maryland; Senator Under
wood, backed by Alabama. Other
favorits sons that had been entered
in the big race dropped by the way
side, but those named above stuck for
ballot after ballot, with their managers
that some one Of them would
eventually be picked as the compro-
mise candidte. They realized the in
tense feeling that had arisen between
the opposing camps Of the leaders,
and did not believe 1t good political
strategy to side with either, each one
hoping that In the end their cAndi-
late might draw from both sides when
he break came.
On the part Of the two leaders ev-
,ry plan known in political campaign
ng was used to influence delegates.
There was an abundance Of the usual
demonstrations, long and noisy. There
we're dire threats and earnest plead
ngs to attract support. Those dele
.ations that were not directly in
tructed, or not definitely committed
o some one candidate, would occasion
lily switch to or from one or the 9TH
r Of the leaders. This was especial
y true as 1t applied to Mr.. McAdoo,
nd because Of this his vote fuctuated
rom a little over 400 to as high as
80. Governor Smiths vote remained =
1ore nearly stationary at between 816
nd 868, but that and others that ,
yould 20 to him on a break, was :
nough to prevent a nomination Of :
ny other candidate.
On Wednesday afternoon Mr.. .
ryan, asking for consent to explain
10 vote as q member Of the Florida .
attempted to stampede the !
for NcAdoo, but 1t did not h
lcceed, and the monotonous round of !,
allots continued without material
mango. On Friday afternoon, after
ballots had been taken, an effort
as made to suspend the rules and
ermit the leading candidates to APP
ear In person before the convention.
was opposed largely by the McAdoo =
,legates and failed of the needed
vo-thirds vote. Then Franklin d.
asked that the convention '
,tend an invitation to the Democrat :,
governor of New York to address u
e delegates. Again 1t meant sus- d
,nsion Of the rules, and while the 3
owe was cleverly made, and re-
sal would put the convention in the y
'sition Of being discourte0us to its u
host, 1t, too. was voted
'wn. Without such an invitation no q