Evening star., 1939-05-21
Election
Continued From Page C-5)

made, a time-worn cry will greet
their ears:
The convention will come to
order!"
Bang goes a gavel and the show
starts.
First of all, the sergeant at arms
directs the delegates to take their
seats-and keep EN-.
Then chaplain offers prayer.
AS a time-honored sergeant at
arms in national conventions, Col.
Edwin A. Halsey. secretary to the
United States Senate, knows as
much about this procedure as any
man living, probably more. He made
his debut as sergeant at arms when
the Democrats gathered at Houston
and nominated former Gov Alfred
Emmanuel Smith of New York to
carry the torch. Then, at Chicago,
when Franklin D. Roosevelt broke
all precedent and few to the con-
vention to accept the nomination,
Col. Halsey was there as sergeant
at arms. Again in 1886. when the
Democrats gathered in Philadelphia
to give Roosevelt his second term,
who should have charge of the
works but the handsome Col. Halsey
from Virginia? Unless the Demo-
Gratis have completely forgotten
their convention manners, Col. Hal
sey should once again take his post
when the tribe meets and medi-
tates-wherever that may be.
Chicago Elected.
1t is not very hard to guess. how
ever, where the Democratic conven-
ton will be held this year-Chicago
The convention was held in the
East last time-Philadelphia. San
Francisco has a Worlds Fair of its
own and does not want the con-
vention. So the Midwest would be
the natural bet.
New York is not in the market
either, but there might be bid
from Atlantic City. AS Col. Halsey
puts it. Atlantic City is a great
convention site because it has hall
that accommodates $4,000 persons,
the Municipal Auditorium. Aside
from the mammoth convention hall
in Atlantic City there is that Board
walk And grand hotels within easy
distance"
Still, the bets are on Chicago.
And it may be that the Repub-
licans, too. will select the Windy City
as their meeting place. They have
had experience out there on the
shores of Lake Michigan, and
though their man, Hoover, was de-
feated the last time out they have
had better luck-with Harding.
The Republicans selected Kansas
City to put over Herbert Hoover
when the Democrats trotted out Al
Smith from the Houston stables.
That was 1928. Four years later
both parties held their convention
in Chicago, as they may again this
year. In 1886, the Republicans went
to Cleveland to launch the political
hopes of Alf Landon and the Grand
Old Party, while Roosevelt found it
easier sailing from Philadelphia
With these past conventions in
mind it is not far cry to say Chi
cago for both parties in 1940-and
when the gavel-blows resound
throughout the convention hall, an
old American institution will get
under way. More than one hundred
years of glory and glamour and
grandeur have attached themselves
to the conventions of the two domi-
nant political parties Should they,
by any chance, convene in the same
building, Republicans and Demo-
Gratis will go back to a precedent set
in the city of Baltimore, in the year
1882.
And should Chicago get either or
both of the conventions the Mid
west City will have hung up a rec
ord scarcely approached by any
other city save Baltimore. Already,
from 1860 on, Chicago has been host
to II major political conventions.
Baltimore is four behind. ST. Louis
and Philadelphia tie for third place
with five conventions each.
Other cities that have had more
than one convention are New York,
Cincinnati, Cleveland and Kansas
City. Cities with only one conven-
ton to their credit are Denver,
Harrisburg, Houston, Minneapolis
and San Francisco.