Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-30
DEMOCRATIC ARMY
LEAVES HOUSTON
"The Old Gray Mare" Rings
in Ears of Departing
Delegates.

HOUSTON, June 30.~-After adding
another old-fashioned name to the 1923
ticket, the Democrats are on their way
home, leaving the deStinies OF the party
in the hands of "Al' Smith and Joe"
Robinson.
The convention which has just come
to a close cannot be charged with doing
things by half measures. When these
Democrats started out to nominate cam
didateS they we're nominated with a
flourish 1t was so when the preSiden-
tial choice was made Thursday and
again on the Vice President yesterday
afternoon.
Senator Joseph T. Robinson of Arkan-
sas was off with a great lead when the
vice presidential nomination came up
for consideration and his friends said
1t with votes until he was credited with
more than 900 at the close OF the roll.
BarkIey Swings His Votes.
Senator A. w Barley of Kentucky
and Mrs. Nellie Tayloe Ross former
Governor of wyoming, changed the
votes of their States from their own
account to that of the Arkansas Sena-
tor as soon as they could work their
way to the platform, the enthusiastic
delegates yelling for Robinson, and
when the books were finally closed
than | 900 of the 100 votes Probably
he never will know how many voted for
him. for State chairmen were still
shouting for recognition to give him
some more when the bands drowned
them out.
Followers of boxing would have said
that the nomination was "in the bag"
for Senator Robinson. He must have
had a suggestion that he might be pro-
NOTED from permanent chairman to
permanent candidate, for he kept his
modesty intact by remaining away from
the convention hall.
The delegates. alternates and visitors
started home with the strains of The
Sidewalks of New York" and THE Old
Gray Mare, She Amt What She USta'
Be" ringing in their ears. Some of
them may never hear again Of the de-
cline of the old gray mare. and pos
sibly they will not be sorry. All the
six bands furnishing music for the con-
vention seemed to have yen for pre-
senting in tragic notes the sad fate
of the old gray mare.
Smith Message Is Read.
"The Sidewalks of New York" was
expected to carry on as a campaign
song for the Democrats. just behind
the two favorites was another folk song,
I've Been Working on the Railroad"
and every band at the convention
played Dixie" many times every day
The visitors probably will relish some
jazz pieces when they get home.
Just before adjournment of the con-
vention sine die a message was read
from Gov. Smith accepting the nomi
nation and giving his views on pending
questions. including prohibition. The
New York governor reiterated his preyi-
ously expressed opinions on the ques-
ton of national prohibition, and told
the men and women who nominated
him for the presidency OF his conviction
that there should be fundamental
changes in the law.
The governors words, read In ring
ing tones by Senator Pat Harrison. pre-
siding, did not provoke much comment
among the delegates as they left the
hall Most Of them were discussing the
hour for departure of special trains.
They may have thought 1t too hot to
talk further OF politics.
To Hold Two Records.
Many of the departing political visi-
tors wondered what was to be the fate
OF the huge coliseum In which the con-
vention sessions were held. 1t will re-
main, at least for a time. however. with
two records regarded as safe from at
tack. Not in another four consecutive
days will THE Old Gray Mare" be
played so many times In Its picturesque
interior, nor will so many speeches be
made in four days--or four weeks-from
its platform.
AS the delegates hurried away, they
left behind them gayly decorated streets
with banners and pictures OF candidates
to remind Houston for day or two
that a political convention had been
to town, done its work in a jiffy and
hurried away.
The work OF the convention is not
yet all done. The winning candidates
must be notified of their success. Claude
G. Bowers. New York temporary chair
man OF the convention, win advise SEN
ator Robinson. Gov Smith will hear
the good news from Senator Key Pitt
man of Nevada. Senator Pittman. as
chairman of the resolutions committee.
fell heir to the job that would haze
been assigned to Senator Robinson as
permanent chairman. had not the SEN
ator been designated to receive rather
than deliver nomination tidings.