Supreme Vitality

When John William Davis was chosen by the Democratic Convention on the ninth day of balloting, he issued a formal announcement. In

he spoke, with seeming understatement, of "the resolution and endurance ... the supreme vitality" of the delegates, and of their "deliberate and unanimous choice." It was a touching tribute.

McAdoo Withdraws. For eight days, a mountain of a Convention--1,098 men and as many assistants--labored and brought forth not even a mouse. In the travail ot the eighth night, William G. McAdoo and his supporters were watching in the Madison Square Hotel, close to the "Garden". There they sat while a last effort was made to send McAdoo over the top. On the 96th ballot he reached 421 votes more than 100 short of his high mark of 530 achieved three nights earlier, and his advisers shook their heads. Bernard M. Baruch and Thomas L. Chadbourne Jr. were in the group. Mr. McAdoo was almost groggy from lack of sleep, from the prolonged night vigils of ten days. The advisers asked him to quit for the Party's sake. He was very weary--very. He sent word recalling his floorleaders from the Convention Hall. Judge David Ladd Rockwell and J. Bruce Kremer came hurrying. He told them that he was going to quit. He stayed by his decision.

Slowly, wearily, a letter was drafted. He would not withdraw his name. He would merely free his followers to vote as they saw fit. At 3.00 a. m. the letter was read in the Wall amid great emotion. In two ballots, McAdoo dropped from 406 1/2 to 190. The Convention then called it "a night."

Nominated. The Convention had its job still ahead. The next noon, resolutely enduring, with supreme vitality, it became deliberately unanimous after three ballots. When McAdoo fell, Smith followed. Most of the favorite sons failed to come forward at the crucial moment. The field on the final day was led by new leaders. First, Davis; second, Underwood; third, Meredith. The battle was brief. Davis had the lead. Like a boat which heels over and shifts her cargo, the further she tips the faster she goes. Davis: 839 votes on the 103rd ballot; then unanimous by acclamation.

After a brief recess the Convention resumed. Senator Walsh came within an ace of being nominated for Vice President. Like the Republican, Frank O. Lowden, Senator Walsh had written his regrets in advance; so the Democrats, less incredulous than the Republicans, took his word for it.

In the course of the speechmaking 13 men were placed in nomination for the Vice Presidential place.

During a long evening of nominating speeches there were two bright spots. One was when Alfred E. Smith appeared and told what an extraordinary Governor he had been to New York.

Davis' Speech. The second bright spot was when the nominee himself appeared. His speech was brief--an effort to reknit the wounds of nine days' battle and to obliterate the antagonisms aroused:

"The great principles of the Democratic Party: honesty in Government [applause]; all public office is a public trust [applause]; equal rights to all men [applause]; and special privilege to none [applause]; fair and equal taxation; an open door of opportunity to the humblest citizen in all the land [applause]; loyalty at home, courage and honor and helpfulness abroad. [Applause.]

"These principles are as dear to the American of the East as to the American of the West, as highly revered by the American of the North as they are by the American of the South [applause], and in the name of this truly national creed, this truly national party is ready again to do battle with all those who challenge this creed or any part of it. [Applause.] On this platform all progressives in this country can stand; to this banner all liberals can rally, and in this cause all Democrats can--aye, more--all Democrats will unite. [Applause.]

"As a more or less interested 'bystander I can not be ignorant of the fact that this Convention has had its debates and its differences, and in the truly Democratic fashion has fought out its conflicts of opinion, and all these things, disturbing as they may have seemed at the moment, were but the thunderstorm that has cleared the clouds away and left shining on us the sun of coming victory and success." [Applause.]

When the nominations were completed, a motion was presented for another recess of an hour. The Convention voted against it, but it was passed.

When order was called again, it became apparent that this time the leaders were not going to bungle into another 103-vote imbroglio. John W. Davis, Alfred E. Smith, Cordell Hull, Frank L. Polk, Thomas J. Walsh, Pat Harrison and the McAdoo leaders had consulted and agreed. At once Harry Flaherty of Nebraska rose and nominated Governor Charles W. Bryan, adding the 14th& to 13 already nominated. One ballot was taken. There were many complimentary votes for favorite sons. But the delegates were aweary, aweary; "they wished that they were dead." To save another roll call, they changed their votes to Nebraska's favorite. In just a few minutes it was all over. Hastily the delegates went, home from Sodom, from Gomorrah, home to the towns where fatted calves awaited all.

*Before the balloting for the Presidential nominee was finished, 59 aspirants had received 1/2 or more votes.