THE PRESIDENCY: The Roosevelt Week: Jul. 11, 1932

A great armchair beside a radio in the study of the Executive Mansion at Albany held the Governor of New York most of last week. Through the quiet room boomed the confused sounds of the Democratic convention in Chicago. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, his lame legs stretched out before him, official duties forgotten, leaned back and listened happily. At his feet was his Scotch terrier, Megs. Nearby hovered his wife Anna. His 77-year-old mother knitted silently. Sons Elliott, 21, and John, 16, paced about in nervous excitement.

During...