The midland journal., 1945-04-20

Eleanor was a niece of Theodore
Roosevelt, at that time in the White
House.
After two years of legal prac-
tice, Franklin entered politics,
running on the Democratic
ticket for the New York state
senate. He Unexpectedly defeat
ed strong Republican candi-
date. From the beginning Of his
career he identified himself with
reform movements, opposing
the powerful Tammany Organi-
cation in the stateh0use. He was
reelected in 1912, by which
time he had become leader of
the anti-Tammany faction.
Woodrow Wilson appointed Roose-
welt assistant secretary of the
navy. When World War I broke out
Roosevelt proved himself an eff
cient administrator, handling bill
lions of dollars worth of contracts
for ships and supplies. He served in
this post throughout the war.
Ran for Vice President.
In 1920 the Democratic national
convention chose him as running
mate for James Cox. While cam
paigning for the vice presidency
Roosevelt made many acquaint-
ances valuable in later political
life. Cox being defeated, F.D.R.
returned to legal practice. a
The following year the great
tragedy Of his life struck him
infantile paralysis. The big,
strong young man became a
bedridden invalid. For months
he lay without ambition, almost
without hope. Slowly his pow
erful will took command, how
ever, and by persistence he
partially regained the use of
his muscles. 1t was during his
cOnvalescence at Warm Springs,
Ga, that he determined to do
what he could to eradicate the
scourge that had almost ruined
him. The "March of Dimes
campaign was the result.
At the Democratic conventions of
1924 and 1928, he aligned himself
with the group supporting Alfred
E. Smith, New York's governor.
When Smith was nominated in 1928,
Roosevelt ran for governor of his
state and was elected. At the end
of his two-year term he was again
elected, this time by the greatest
majority ever given to a New York
| governor.
AS governor he continued the re-
form and improvement policies of
his predecessor Smith. His achieve
ments attracted nationwide atten-
ton. AS the depression that began
late in 1929 deepened, his efforts
to control the mounting business
failures, unemployment and dis
tress in his state revealed his abili-
ties as vigorous leader in grave
| times. -
Swept in as President.
When the national convention
met in Chicago in 1892 Roosevelt
was quickly chosen. He was swept
into office by plurality of seven
million votes, carrying AZ states.
Both houses went Democratic.
Before he could take Office
Q wave of bank failures threat
ened the whole economic struc-
ture. The famous "bank mora
tOrium" order, one of ROOse-
velt'S first official acts, closed
all banks until they could be re-
organized ON a s0under basis.
thus preventing disastrous runs.
In the spring Of 1882 came the
repeal of the 18th, or prohibi-
tiOn amendment. Then came
the National Industrial Recov-
cry Act, or s'NRA," under
which extensive emergency pow-
ers were granted to the Presi-
dent. A series of public works
were authorized to combat un-
employment, together with
huge appropriations for direct
relief. q '2's
The numerous executive and leg
islative acts Of this first term were
approved in general as necessary
In the face of widespread suffer-,
ing. A phrase from one Of the
Presidents speeches, ga new DEAL"
developed into a title for the whole
Roosevelt program.
In 1886 the convention in Phil
adelphia nominated Roosevelt
by reclamation on the first bal
lot. He carried as states in the
elections. This second term ma
jOrity was so overwhelming that
many New Dealers began to
call it a mandate from the
people," During this second
term great number of mea-
sures were passed to increase
the economic security of the in
diyidual, particularly the work.
-