The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1928-06-28
ONE BALLOT IS
ALL AL SMITH
NEEDS TONIGHT
Platform Promises Program Of
Farm Equality and Dry
Laws Enforcement
ROBINSON Is CERTAIN
Floor Fight Over Platform or
Candidates Has Gradual.
ly Disappeared
By BYRON PRICE
(Associated Press Staff Writer)

\HCOO~I0SS0 AVO0 0SOAA VAsSSsI
Sam Houston Hall, Houston,
Texas, June 28.-LF-With the pro-
hibition tangle Strengthening itself
out in committee, the Democratic
national convention neared its end
today with scarcely a threat Of
trouble left on its hoxi1Dn.
BY early afternoon tomorrow, 1t
the latest, the convention managers
fully expected to adjourn after hav-
ing put before the country . ticket
composed of Smith Of New York
and Robinson Of Arkansas, and q
platform promising, among other
things, strict enforcement Of the dry
laws and a comprehensive program
Of farm relief.
T0day's opening session was given
to a continuation of the long inter-
lude Of nominating speeches. Il was
the tentative plan to adopt the plat
form during the afternoon and to
cast tonight the one ballot now con-
sidered certain to result in the NOM
ination Of Smith. An overnight ad-
journment is expected before the Sc
lection Of Smiths running mate.
The whole performance today had
about it q distinct air Of anti-climax.
There still was q lingering possibil-
ity Of Z floor fight over the platform.
but most Of the leaders were conf
dent none would develop.
Hall Half Filled
The session began at 10:35 q. m,
five minutes after the hour set. SEN
ator Robinson, the permanent chair
man and leading candidate for the
vice presidency, apparently was anx-
ious to get on with the convention
business. When he called for order
only about half the delegates had
arrived and there still were great
blank spaces in the spectators
bleachers along the sides and rear
Of the hall. There was 50 much con-
fusion with late arrivals struggling
by the hundreds that even repeated
orders by the chairman to the SER
geant-at-arms failed for time to
get the delegates into their seats
and quiet.
The chairman did not wait for or
der, but while the hall was still
rumbling with conversation he pre-
sented the Rev. A. Frank Smith of
the First Methodist church Of Hous-
ton, who pronounced the invocation.
The crowd stood, and grew more si-
lent.
Richie Seconds Smith
Governor Albert C. Richie Of
Maryland, his states favorite son
who withdrew just . few days ago in
favor Of Smith, made the first
speech Of the day, seconding the
nomination of the New Yorker. He
was given q fine ovation.
The candidate whose cause he
espoused was described by Governor
Richie as q man possessing all Of
the qualities Of great president.
"Fate decreed for Governor Smith
beginnings which were humble, he
said. "She moulded him in the fash
ion Of q man, and he was destined to
i realize to their fullest and their
richest degree the possibilities Of
America, Of the land Of opportunity.
"Grover Cleveland said the whole
art Of government is simply applied
common sense and common honesty.
with reason, justice and tolerance as
handmaidens. :.
Governor Smith possesses all
these qualities. He is living proof
that American democracy can pro-
duce leaders simple AMI yet great.
I believe that if every voter in the
land could see him and hear him,
and come under the spell Of his per-
sonality, there would be few who
would not vote for him."
Gopher Seconds AL
Another seconding speech for
Smith. was made by former mayor
Andrew ]. Peters Of Boston who
said sthe whole background Of the
New York governor was truly
American"
The Smith procession was con-
tinued with . seconding speech by
Andrew Nelson, Of Duluth, MINI.
Mississippi passed on the roll call
Of the states without putting FORM
ally into nomination her favorite
son, Senator Pat Harrison, who is to
receive complimentary ballot.
When the clerk then called the
name Of Missouri, the "Jim" Reed
delegates Of that state stood up and
cheered. They raised . picture Of
their candidate at the end Of long
pole and jingled cowbells and waved
small flags to emphasize to the con-
vention that they were standing pat
despite the majority against them.
Kansas helped out . little, and the
Florida state standard was jingled
up and down a. the demonstration
continued for . space Of two or
three minutes. Then Charles NJ.
Hoell Of Kansas City took the plat
form and formally presented the
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