The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-04-17
Campaign Portraits-No. s.
Gov. Alfred E. Smith
Sidewalks Stuff Discarded by AL Smith
of Today

While he was talking, l surveyed
the governors flat-topped desk,
bearing a collection Of articles not
unlike a museum. 1t is necessarily
a big desk, for here's what it bore:
Desk Ornaments
A statuette of a boy scout, a
miniature bronze lion, a bronze bear,
a small silver bull, three ink stands
with flashily -colored pens protrud-
ing, q glass Of ice water on blotter,
q bronze cast Of a big peanut with
two legs, q silver-rimmed picture of
his wife and one Of his sons, a 12-
inch replica of the first railroad
train in New York, several dozen
unopened letters Governor Smith
opens his personal mail himself), a
small marble elephant, several scrib-
bled notations, two telephones, a
desk lamp with pink silk shade, and
two bronze book-ends between which
were these volumes: "Care and
Treatment Of the Diseases Of AMI
mails" "The World Almanac"
Papers Of Thomas jefferson"
Speeches Of Bourke Cochran" and
New York legislative proceedings
for several years.
On the walls were two American
flags, pictures Of Smith in a fire.
mans uniform, pictures of Smith
with his baby grandson, pictures Of
Smith with Boy Scouts, framed
cartoons and autographed photo
graphs of the great.
Governor Smith talked-loudly,
volubly and breezily. He laughed
and joked in q big, booming voice
and some Of his smiles fairly
smoked. If he wanted to suse a cuss
word occasionally he did it.
Grammar Lapses
Despite the care with which he
guards his public speeches, Gov
ernor Smiths grammar lapses in or
binary conversation.
He used the word "ain't" at least
q dozen times, and he frequently re-
ferred to them fellows"
But Al Smith at ease and AL
Smith officially are two different
persons. An amateur actor in his
youth, he is . good imitator and a
close student. In all his public
appearances he has never preached
the dignity of the position he holds
rs governor. In that he has been
very careful.
During his first term as COVER
nor he used to tos his prepared
speeches to the newspaper reporters
and say: "Here, take the fish mar
ket language out of this stuff for
me, will you?" The reporters got
together and made rhetorical and
grammatical improvements thereon.
By experience, contact and close
observation the former East Slider
has acquired polish. Today, he can
us. almost perfect English in his
speeches-only when at ease does
his conversation lapse.
Social Feud
Between Governor Smith and the
old Dutch families that comprise
the aristocracy Of Albany there has
been . social feud for many years.
No truce in this feud ever will be
reached, although more than one
wealthy hostess today would relish
the opportunity to entertain the gov
ernor.
When ~ Smith came to the as
sembly from New York's East Side
years ago the dowagers let it be
known that neither the young as
semblyman nor his wife would be
welcome in their social circle.
If Assemblyman AL Smith WASN'T
welcome in their homes at that time
then Governor AL Smith is not going
into their homes now" he once told
. friend.
With the younger generation it is
different. Mrs. Emily Smith War
ner, the governors daughter, is
prominent in the Junior League and
the children often entertain at the
Executive Mansion. But the par.
ents keep their distance.
Governor Smith has many wealthy
friends. Some Of them even send
their private cars to Albany for him
when be wants to come to New York
But these friends were once poor
like himself.
One Of them was the late Alfred
II: Smith. who rose from . tract,
laborer to the presidency Of the New
York Central.
Another is William Todd. New
York shipbuilder, who-as ! ship.
yards lAbotoe years ago-put some
of the rivets IN the SABINE" III
magnificent private yacht that b.
now owns.
Anothor u William Kennedy
former brick mason and now onl