Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-06-30
Two Score Ballots Probable

New York, June 29.-On the eve
of balloting in the Democratic ma
tional convention the leading candi-
dates for the presidential nomina-
ton were busy tonight consolidating
their positions and issuing pro-
nouncements of their confidence in
the outcome.
Meantime those seeking nomina-
ton but admittedly without anything
like the numerical strength on the
first ballots that will be mustered by
either William G. McAdoo or AL
fred E. Smith were continuing their
quiet campaigns and laying plans
against the time when, they predict
ed, there would be a breakaway
from both the former treasury secre-
tary and the New York governor.
Wherever leaders or delegates
congregated today there was discus
sion of the possible effect upon the
fortunes of this candidate or that
resulting from the action of the con-
vention early today in rejecting the
anti--Klan plank. Both the Nc
Adoo and Smith managers claimed
that the result If anything, strength
ened their positions, but other can
didates or their managers were in
disagreement with that view. @s-a.
With balloting only a few hours
, away there was more than the US
| ual crop of dark horse" talk. Lead
ers grooming such "horses" express
ed the opinion tonight that forty
ballots would be taken before the
Smith and McAdoo forces would
turn to a compromise candidate.
Those interested in the candi-
daley of Senator Samuel M. Ralston
of Indiana, heard that in the event
of a Smith McAdoo deadlock the
adherents of these two candidates
would swing their votes to John w.
Davis of West Virginia. It also was
stated that either Governor Charles
Bryan, of Nebraska or Governor
Jonathan Davis OF Kansas. would be
second on such a compromise ticket.
Some of the Ralston supporters
have suggested a Ralston- Homer
s. Cummings or Ra1ston-Governor
Silzer ticket to offset such a nomi-
nation, but Thomas Taggart, the In
diana leader. who is backing Senator
Ralston against the field, has agreed
to neither so far as has been made
known.
Both McAdoo ana Governor Smith
held final conferences with their
chief lieutenants today for discus
sion of the opening phase of the
battle of ballots. McAdoo spent
much of the day quietly in his suite
in an uptown hotel, but in the after
noon he visited William Jennings
Bryan. and tonight he addressed n
rally of the delegates who are count
ed III his column.
Predicting that McAdoo would re-
ceive not less than 400 votes Gu the
first ballot" David Ladd Rockwell,
lis campaign manager. declared Nc
Adoo would make gradual gai1s I'M
til he would receive a majority of
the convention or the fifth or sixth
ballot.
I'VE will hold that majority" he
added, land the delegates, most of
whom are in no temper for Il long
drawn-out fight, will realize thai a
majority. Their they will start to
jump on the McAdoo bandwasoa."
While less specific in statements
as to the number Of votes at any
stage of the contest, Governor Smith
and his manager Franklin ID. Rocse-
welt, were no less optimistic. Mr..
Roosevelt said the delegates "are
confidently coming to the conclusion
that duty to the party dictates the
nomination of Smith for victory" in
November.
Thomas Taggart had a busy day
keeping himself out OF conferences
at which the fortunes of various can
didates other than his own-Sena.
tor Ralston--were under discussion.
Several friends OF Senator Ra;stcn
from the senatorial group called en-
him to discuss the situation and sng-
gest various possible deals. but
Taggart said he. had approved none
of them.
The Indiana leader reiterated
what he has said many times during
the convention-that he is hcwi1g
straight to the line for Ralston,
thinks he will win. and that he is not
out to make many combinations.