Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-02
Imnromptu Campaigning.

Gov. Smith, it is stated, has decided
to make no more prepared speeches
during the campaign. He viii connne
himself henceforth, according to this
program of procedure, TO extcmpore
remarks. feeling that in this manner OF
addressing his hearers he can make
better impression and more vividly
convey his ideas. This decision. 1t Is
indicated. was reached as q result OF
the candidates experience in the de-
livery of his speech Of acceptance, the
manuscript of which annoyed him and
caused him to hesitate and even to re-
peat his words.
II viii be interesting to observe the
result of this departure from the usual
procedure of campaigning. Gov. Smith
is no tyro on the stump. he has had
a long experience In public speaking,
has been through numerous campaigns,
In his own behalf and for others, has
addressed miIliens of people, in the ag-
eregste. in the course Of his political
career, and, therefore, he has acquired
the faculty of ready delivery and spon-
famous expression. In fuency, in d.
recthsss and in clarity Of statement
there is probably no more capable cam
paigner than he.
But there are dangers in the ex-
temporaneous speech which veteran
campaigners recognize and which they
seek to avoid wherever possible. These
dangers are greater for candidate
than for one who is mcfely speaking
for his party with no personal appeal
for agreement and support. Every
word is subject to the keenest analysis.
Every phrase is possible conveyer Of
unsntended meanings. The speaking
candidate is invariably greeted by an
enthusiastic and sympathetic audience.
He is cheered and hailed as . winner.
It requires the stiffest resolution and
restraint to avoid response to such ac-
claim with some warmth OF expression
that transcends the bounds OF political
propriety or caution.
There Is, furthermore, the danger of
beng misunderstood or not correctly
reported. For all that radio viii do
for the immediate carriage Of the voice
TO muitttudes over wide area, the
printed word win remain the lasting
report. Stenogrsphic reports Of the
speeches thus made tmpromptu viii
supply the text Of these publications
In the din OF rousing meeting, with
cheers punctuating the paragraphs,
even the ablest Of shorthand writer's
may make mistakes. The use OF q sin
gle wrong word may cause trouble. And
such q mistake is difncult OF correc-
ton. A denial turns upon the point
of personal recollection. which Is not
infallibIe
Undoubtedly there b an advantage.
as far as the immediate audience Is
concerned, In the spontaneous, extern
pore address. But in these radio times
there is the unseen audience TO con-
slider, and the even greater reading
public that later follows the text. A
mistake made in Trenton, ~ j., may
shock some nearer or reader In Cairo,
ILL.,, or Asheyille. N. c. into change
Of heart A dispute over the report OF
speech is always unseenly and pro-
vecative Of skepticism.
II the reading Of q prepared speech
is difficult for the governor, he might
adopt a novel scheme to avoid such
embarrassment as he felt on the occa-
sion Of his notification. He could dc
tate his 'fimpromptu" speech, could
have it transcribed and carefully
edited and could then have it delivered
by a well chosen proxy, whose voice
would carry TO the immediate audience
and attune well TO the radio and whose
enunkiation and pronunciation would
b. all that the most exacting critic
could demand The governor might
make his personal appeal In a few well
chosen Introductory remarks and then
let his understudy read the speech.
There would then be no danger OF los
ing his voice or letting his tongue slip
into lapse. The Idea is worth con-
siderjng.