Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-08-14
al Sm;tb's Face Out of the Picture

Gotham has it that the face Of Alfred Z. Smith IS
out of the big political picture. washington mas ~
that the face Of Governor Franklin Roosevelt IS III
the big political picture. Smith is one OF the most re-
markable men the country has known. His career Is
studded with brilliant achievement Born in humble
walks Of life. a news boy in the streets to earn pen
mics to support a widowed mother and a little sister,
he climbed to great heights.
He became the four-time governor OF one OF the
greatest American states, the national standard bearer
Of his party in the most virulent political battle ever
saQed in America. He went down in defeat notwlth-
standing he received the ballots OF fifteen milhoh
American voters-the greatest number ever gwen
democratic nominee for president.
After his defeat he announced that he would never
offer for public office again and yet this very en-
nhatic statement did not work. Franklin D. Roose-
Welt carried New York for governor at the election III
which Smith lost for president. Roosevelt is an out
standing figure. AS widely known perhaps as any OF
the democratic leaders or possibilities.
Mayor James j. Walker Of New York has an inter-
national reputation. After the defeat OF Smith LOT
the presidency. a few close friends, multimillionaire
contractors and financiers. according TO Gotham and
washington gossip. practically took Smith over in a
social. financial and political sense and made the fu-
ture rosy for him in a world Of comfort and leisure
where money or rather need Of ii, would not embitter
his existence.
Smith never made a dollar in politics while hold
fnp office. Men said that he was so straight tnat ne
leaned backwards. He loathed graft and grafters. ne
never had the get-rich malady and he kept his skirts
mr. official robes clean at all times. When Mayor
Jimmy Walker was nearing the end Of his first term
he was ambitious for a second term Of four years.
Smith and his advisors or rather his rich sponsors
decided that Jimmy Walker should be given the air
and that another outstanding New Yorker should be
slated as his successor. 1t appears to have been a
fatal stroke Of politics or policy for Smith and his
powerful coterie-that is powerful as money talks, in
a social sense. but not powerful with rank and file
of the voters Of the democratic city of New York.
Mayor Walker broadcast the program of Smith to the
rank and file. He announced his candidacy for a Sec
ond term-as leader Of plain people Of New York and
the voice OF Tammany Hall and its allies in the great
er city.
There was a remarkable response. All the borough
leaders declared for Walker; all the district leaders
the city who followed the flag of the oldest political
organization In America lined solidly under the BAN
ner Of Mayor Walker and the best dressed and snap
piest mayor that New York has known is in the run
ming for the second term and almost certain Of re-
election.
AS for Governor Smith and his select circle Of
friends. they are out of the picture. All that remains
for them to do is to bow to the inevitable and take
their places among the marchers. but not in the adj
vance guard of the procession. 1t is another exhibit
ton OF the work Of the political scenic artist. Old
faces have been pushed out of the picture and a new
face has been painted in. Gotham and Washington
say that it is the face Of Franklin D. Roosevelt, gov
ernor Of New York. candidate for vice president in the
not remote past, the close personal friend of Woodrow