Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-09
ROOSEyELT7S UNIQUE 1882
LEAD DUE TO AL SMITH
How Predecessor Called on Famous
Name to Buoy His Strength for Presi-
dency Recalled-Men Now Rivals.

! is an interesting story and the fact.
provide the material for an engaginr
| debate.
The facts relied upon as reasons WHY
Smith must be grateful to Roosevelt
begin with the assertion. quite true. that
in three Democratic National Conven-
tions--1920. 1924 and 1928--Roosevelt
made nominating speeches entering
Smith in the race for the Democratic
| nomination. ION the finale occasion
Smith actually got the nomination.
There is not much In that. To make
the nominating speech for popular OF
probably successful candidate for presi-
dental nomination is not favor by the
speechmaker. On the contrary, 1t is
universally regarded as a privilege
granted by the candidate, dearly cher
ished privilege. The opportunity is
sought, and sought hard. by ambitious
speechmakers. For example, the writer
Of this article knows about the number
Of Republicans now seeking the privilege
of making the nominating speech for
President Hoover in the next Republic
an National Convention. and the heart
burnings that will sap the spirits of the
disappointed No one thinks of q man
in such a position as Gov. Smiths IN
1928 as being under an obligation 20
the man who makes his nominating
speech. The rule runs the other way
everybody thinks of the man who gets
the privilege of making the speech lin
this case, Roosevelt) as under an obliga-
ton to the candidate Gin this case,
Smith,
Interesting Question Arises.
There is, however. in another connec-
ton an interesting and debatable uues-
~ - ar
between these two men, Smith and
Roosevelt. About this. incident all the
facts arose within half an hour and
took place over q long distance tele-
phone In 1923.
Smith had been nominated for the
presidency. He wanted. of course, to
carry New York To carry New York
he wanted the whole Democratic ticket
to be the strongest possible. AS de-
tail Of that he wanted Franklin Roose-
welt to run as the candidate for Gov
ernor. The existence of this wish on
Smiths part was proof that he consid-
cred Roosevelt to be the strongest pos
Sible candidate for Governor
Roosevelt did not want to run. He
dreaded the ordeal because of his
health. He had suffered q few years
before an attack Of the affliction some
what miscalled infantile paralysis. He
had recovered measurably. His recov-
cry was due to and dependent upon
continuous care over period OF years.
BY the Fall of 1928 when this Incl
dent occurred) he was still without the
use of his legs. but he had hope that
by continuing his care Of himself he
might fully recover. Specifically, he had
hope and assurance held out to him
by physicians that complete recovery
might be facilitated by long periods Of
prescribed exercise and treatment at a
health resort in Georgia.
Under this condition Roosevelt was
strongly loath to consider Smiths re-
quest that he, Rooyeselt, run for Gov
ernor on the same ticket with Smith
as the candidate for President. Smith
pressed Roosevelt hard. Roosevelt de-
4nurred almost pathetically. Smith in
sisted. Finally Roosevelt yielded. Many
Of Roosevelt's friends felt he was TAX
ing the risk Of permanently impaired
health, or possibly worse, as the price
Of yielding to Smiths wish that he run
for Governor.
In that set Of fact lies q really de-
batalble question about who should be
grateful to whom The currents of
gratitude run in two directions. The
question is about the net. Smith asked
q personal favor of Roosevelt and Roose-
welt granted 1t. CALAMITY, at known peril
to himself. Smith got the benefit Of
RooSevelt's presence on the ticket,
benefit which Smith calculated in adj
vance and deemed valuable. Smiths
debt to Roosevelt is not diminished by
the fact that Rosevelt's presence on the
ticket was not enough 10 enable Smith
to carry New York Smith, as the can
didate for President, did not carry the
State
But Roosevelt, as candidate for Gov
ernor, in the role that Smith almost
forced upon hiEn-Roosevelt carried New
York. And 10 his carrying New York on
that occasion Roosevelt Is indebted for
his present very great nearness to the
Democratic nomination for President,
and his apparent nearness whatever it
may turn out to be- to the presidency
of the United States
All Of which suggests the extent to
which history is influenced by accidents
and by personal relations between men.