The Key West citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 1952-07-26
Convention Notes

with which Mr.. Truman assailed
the Republicans in introducing the
new standard bearer formally to
the convention.
Mr.. Truman said the Republi-
cans had tried to stop progress
and they are at 1t again this year.
Praising the Democratic platform,
the President said his party is go
ing to win again this year.
Applauding the choice of Steven
son, whom he helped along toward
the nomination by getting Harri-
he is going to take my coat off
and do everything / cam to help
him.
Stevenson, who said he had ac-
cepted the nomination humbly In
the belief that a better man could
have been found for it, promised
that IL will fight to win /.
with all my heart and SOUL"
Stevenson's nomination climaxed
a day of slow and painful balloting
during which Kefauver's fortunes
rose only to crash to earth in an
after-recess third ballot Friday
night.
Kefauver, who called himself the
peoples' choice because he won
most of the Democratic primaries,
rolled to a high tide mark Of 362h
votes on the second ballot.
At that point, Stevenson had
reached 3241a votes, Russell had
294 and Hartman brought up the
rear with 121.
A 2-hour recess gave Mr.. Tru-
man, Jacob M. Arvey, Illinois ma.
tional committeeman, and some
other Stevenson hackers time to
bring up their heavy guns. Harri-
man went out of the race and
broke open the New York delega-
ton. That started things.
Gov. Paul Dever of Massachu-
sets turned loose his states dele
cation, telling the convention dra-
matically that Stevenson had in
formed him he would 'be happy
to accept the nomination" It was
the first public word to that effect.
Stevenson had insisted he wanted
only to run for reelection In Illi-
nois.
The handwriting was on the wall
for all to see and members of
the Fair Deal wing of the party
hurried to Kefauver to get him to
withdraw in Stevenson's favor.
This group, which included Gov.
G. Mennen williams and Sen. Blair
Moody of Michigan. wanted the
Stevenson nomination to come
from--rather than be forced upon
their wing Of the party.
Kefauver consented to 90 to the
Convention Hall. But instead OF
withdrawing in favor of Stevenson,
he wanted to pull out of the race
with an endorsement Of Sen. Paul
Douglas OF Illinois. Douglas then
would say he couldn't run and urge
Stevenson's selection.
Their plan for quick action was
baked, however. when House
Speaker Sam Rayburn, chairman
Of the convention, told Kefauver
he would have to wait until the
third ballot rollcall was completed
before he could be heard.
AS the rollcall went tediously on,
Sen. Russell hurried to the hall.
He saw the inevitable result as
one state delegation after another
toppled TO Stevenson.
But Russell said he would stick
to the end. And he wouldn't let
his friends try to make any deal
by which he could claim the vice
presidential nomination.
All of this maneuyering was
largely beside the point, for whe
| New York and Michigan fell to
Stevenson, the Illinois governor
rolled up 6i3 votes--only pa short
Of the necessary majority--by the
end of the balloting.
IL was then only a formality
when kefauver stepped up to the
microphone TO tell the delegates
without actually moving TO give
Tenncssee's votes to Stevenson
that they had nominated "a very
great man" and to pledge his help
In the general election campaign.
Moody and Williams had hoped a
dramatic statement by kefauver
that he was Withdrawing In Steven
sons favor would fire the conven.
ton TO pick the Tennessee senator
as the vice.presidentiai candidate.
Moody and Sen. Hubert Humph-
rey Of Minnesota talked later OF
trying TO sponsor n floor fight in
today's session to get kefauver In
the running for the No. spot.
But few thought convention dele
gates, tired after strenuous week,
would have much enthusiasm for
more wrangling
They seemed more likely 10 &c.
cept StevenSon's choice, cali il a
day and so home.
AFTER kefauyer spoke. Russell
was summoned 10 the platform.
Calling Stevenson - great Amer
lean. Russell promised 10 fall
into the ranks, seeking victory In