The Democracy

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Committeeman Norman E. Mack of New York stirred things up by declaring that Governor Smith stood for State-determinism, against prohibition, for temperance. Governor Smith curtly confirmed this "news." When the Resolutions Committee began its work none could guess how the drink plank would be phrased or by whom. Senators Pittman of Nevada and King of Utah, Drys both, were for conciliation through vagueness. Boss Brennan of Illinois said: "No sensible Democrat ought to worry. . . . Only one person in 25,000 thinks and only one in 50,000 reads the party platform. Do you?"

Mrs. Emily Newell Blair, vice chairman of the National Committee, was among those who urged a platform phrased in tabloid style. She also gave thought to the vice presidency, which seemed, as at Kansas City, to be the only real business before the convention. Mrs. Blair scoffed at the G. 0. P. "I could make a better Vice President than Senator Curtis," she said.