Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1936-07-02
! DEMO CONVENTION
IS C0LORFUL AFFAIR
Roosevelt and Garner Are The
Whole Show at Philadelphia
Convention
BY w. C. WEBER

Convention Hall, Philadelphia
'Franklin Delano Roosevelt for Pres
! ident-v'
Philadelphia monster convention
hall rocked as $4,000 delegates and
spectators leaped to their feet roar
ing approval of their standard bearer
; in the coming election. It was a jubi-
liant, spontaneous outburst, the be-
ginning of a demonstration seldom
equalled in convention history, and
the climax of four days waiting by
most of the delegates.
All through this rather tame con-
vention, the name of Roosevelt was
magic. The somewhat apathetic au-
dience, judged by convention stand
ards, could be stirred into animation
only by the utterance of his name.
But the demonstrations on those oc-
casions left nothing to be desired.
They were not the carefully-man-
aged, chairman-directed affairs Of
/ other conventions held in the past,
but the heartfelt expression of people
, to whom the Democratic candidate
is the hope of country and party. Up
! would rise the State standards as
chairman, delegates and alternates
swarmed into the aisles-a cheering,
dancing, singing throng. The giant
organ and the brass band perched
I high on the west side of the conven-
tion hall would be drowned out in the
tumult-and the convention chair
man held helpless until the demon
strations finally would wear them
selves out.
Is COlOrful Scene
All the usual trimmings of a ma
tional political convention were on
hand at Philadelphia. The approach
to the convention hall cluttered with
the customary army of hawkers of
novelties which ranged all the way
from souvenir buttons to pseudo
brass horns-the milling mob of on
lockers anxious for a glimpse of the
great and near great-badges, badges,
everywhere, and more badges-all
were there.
Inside the hall a shouting singing,
laughing crowd filling every seat
great spotlights playing over the
scene-telegraph boys rushing copy
from the press sections where per-
spring newspaper workers toiled at
the task of catching the next edition
movie cameramen-news photog-
raphers swarming over the hall-in-
tent radio workers-the gaily dec
Grated platform - pictures OF the
candidates-State standards-micro-
phones-fags and bunting-the blar-
ing brass band and the rumbling or
gan that never quite get together on
any tune-the wild applause when
ever Dixie is played-a typical con-
vention scene.
Platform Holds Interest
There was no doubt as to the final
nominations-or that the convention
would unanimously endorse the New
Deal It was Franklin D. Roosevelt
and John NJ Garner in unanimity
that has not been accorded Demo-
cratic ticket since Cleveland was
nominated.
Since there were no other candi-
dates, chief interest was centered in
the platform and in the abrogation
of the Democratic party's two-thirds
rule which has governed nomina-
tions since the party was founded.
The platform was completed only
after a 13-hour session Of the SUBJ
committee held behind closed doors.
Chief difficulty was in evolving
satisfactory wording of the party's
stand on the constitutional amend
ment issue Full pressure of radical
groups was brought to bear, but with !
out effect. The final draft omitted this
flat declaration, but left the question
largely open to whatever action |
might be taken by party leaders dur
ing the coming campaign.
Formation of this plank was one of |
the events that did not rum according |
to schedule. Anticipating difficulty
only from the conservative quarter,
Senator Robert Wagner of New York,
had selected as members of the draft
ing group six New Deal Senators, one
ex-senator, two administration Of
ficials, two delegates with liberal
tendencies, and Senator David l.
Walsh of Massachusetts,, the only con-
servative, but one who is sufficiently !
practical to recognize the overwhelm- /
ing odds of IL to l.
Proceedings Strike Snag
But something struck snag Weary