The Washington times., 1928-06-29

ran the wards, mostly from the
saloons of the district, and the
rivalry was intense. net alone as
between the races. but as between
factions. AIS father was German;
his mother was irish.
In 1894, Tim, Campbell ran for
Congress from the district. He no
ticed young All as a likely looking
youngster, who had had the ten
acity Of purpose to obtain some
education and who seemed to have
a flair for making friends and pub
lie speaking. That was al Smiths
first break into politics. his speak
ing for Campbell.
Al year later he got his first POI
IiticaI job, a clerkship In commits
sioner Of Jurors department He
was then % years old. About that
time Tom Foley, who later became
noted as one of the big figures Aof
Tamnany, decided to contest the
Fourth Ward leadership with Pat
Diver. al was hustler and had
friends. Foley needed q hustler
who had friends, so the youngster
became q part of the, Foley faction
in East Side politics, and friend
SflIIJ4a #DGEAIlE s1Itp4b AdDNSds Mill AAAL
death Of Foley many years later.
Thus it was that Tom Foley became
known as al Smiths political god
father.
Showed Gratitude
They won that fight. Foley in
gratitude, threw various things
Young Ars way, and the years
,nIIed on. IN 1903. when he was 80
Young All decided that he wanted
something better than ordinary
ward notifies He had been study
ing law ait Fordham and at Man.
haitian College and he was ambi-
tious. He decided he would like to
"a TO the Assembly, and Foley and
the organization put him there.
AT Albany, Smith found himself
in 4 new and different environment
from any he had ever known. lie
began to learn that there was
higher craftsmanship than that OF
city politics.
He met there men, cultured and
wealthy and educated men, from all
parts 81 the State; his vision began
Is broaden and he began to grow
politically. He had a natural apt
tude for politics and for admins.
tration.
He progressed rapidly, first to the
speakership of the Assembly and
then TO the leadership Of his party
in the legislature whether the Demo-
Gratis were in power or not. He was
either majority or minority leader
from then on until 1915 when he
resigned to become sheriff Of New
York.
throughout those years in the
legislature All Smith studied. He
was raw novice in legislative mat
ters when he went to Albany. Yet
SO earnestly did he work, and so
rapidly did ne broaden that Eiihu
Root paid him the compliment IN
1915 at the constitutional conven-
ton OF saying that he had one Of
the finest administrative brains in
New York"
Leaves Legislature
He left the legislature regretfuIly
because the financial demands Of
his large and growing family made
it necessary. The sheriffship of
New York Is remunerative posi-.
tion. with its fees and emoluments.
The sheriff's office, however, was
not attractive save in financial
way, and after two years Of it Smith |
quit and became president of the
New York board Of aldermen, a |
responsible office more in keeping
with his liking and talents.
Several years in that office, he
ran for governor and was elected,
That was in 1919. Since then, with
the exception OF one defeat, he oc.
cupied the executive mansion at Al |
bany, and even his opponents have
been forced to admit that hiY adj
have been successful. |
For the most part he has been !
hampered by having 10 deal with |
legislatures, but notwith. |
standing his handicap he has eff |
fected widespread reforms in the |
State government.
His hold on the electorate of |
New York is without parallel in |
New York politics. Thrice he has |
been elected to the governorship |
while the rest OF his party went /
down to defeat. He has run ahead |
of his ticket every time he has been |
up.
The outstanding example of his !
was in 1924 when Cool |
idge carried the State for President |
by an overwhelming vote. but Smith |
carried it, too. by half a million |
votes against Theodore Roosevelt.
Not a Smooth Road
Smiths road to the nomination |
for President has been no smooth |
one On the contrary it has been /
filled with barriers and obstacles /
such as have confronted no other /
man in political history. and yet,
without actively pursuing the nomi-
nation, he has overcome them
largely by the sheer force of his
powerful personality and by his
record az ar executive
Of the greatest state OF the Union.
It was in 1920 that Smith, then
serving his first term as governor
Of New York, fist appeared as
candidate for the Democratic non1i-
nation. His claims were put for
ward by his loyal friends of the
New York delegation at San Fran
cisco, but 1t was no serious thrust.
AL Smith then was too little known
nationally
But in 1924, with the successful |
record as an administrator in Al
bany behind him. it was different |
story. His claims were then adj
with sincerity and purpose. |
The convention, which met at Madt. |
son Square Garden, has become his
toric.
The chief contestants for the nom
inadon were William Gibbs McAdoo, |
John w. Davis, Senator Carter |
Glass, Gov. Albert G.. Richie OF !
MARYLAND. and numerous favorite
sons IT soon became a battle be- |