USA > New York > History of the state of New York, political and governmental, Vol. IV 1896-1920 > Part 23
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Franklin D. Roosevelt, who had been talked of as running-mate for Davis in case of a compromise on the Ambassador, and was equally available with a Presi- dential candidate from Ohio or any other State but New York, was named to the convention for Vice-Pres- ident by T. L. Ansberry of Ohio (a delegate from the District of Columbia), Governor Smith seconding. Thereupon the other candidates whose names had been
2Governor Smith's vote on the first ballot: New York, 90; Alabama, 2; California, 1; Illinois, 5; Massachusetts, 7; Rhode Island, 2; Vermont, 1; Wisconsin, 1. Total, 109.
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presented were withdrawn, and Rossevelt was nomi- nated by acclamation.
Other national tickets put in the field were: Prohi- bition party-Aaron S. Watkins of Ohio and D. Leigh Colvin of New York; Farmer-Labor party-Parley P. Christensen of Utah and Max S. Hayes of Ohio; So- cialist party-Eugene V. Debs of Indiana and Seymour Stedman of Illinois; Socialist-Labor party-William W. Cox of Missouri and August Gillhaus of New York; Single Tax party-Robert C. Macauley of Penn- sylvania and Richard C. Barnum of Ohio.
The unofficial Republican State convention met at Saratoga on July 27 with David J. Hill as temporary and William Haywood as permanent chairman.
It adopted a platform which condemned the national administration for discrimination against the state in the levying of taxes, distribution of coal and in attempt- ing to derive revenue from the use of water power at Niagara Falls for the benefit of other states; advocated the development of the port of New York in coopera- tion with the State of New Jersey; the improvement of housing facilities by the enactment of so-called rent bills and exemption from taxation for a limited period of new construction; encouragement of cooperative organization among farmers for collective purchase of supplies and marketing of products; the protection of privately owned lands from trespass; the cooperation between capital and labor to allay industrial unrest; political equality between men and women in govern- mental affairs; adequate payment for teachers in the public schools; completion and proper maintenance of
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improved State highways ; development of water power for the benefit of the people of the entire State; the selection of candidates to be voted for by the whole State and Justices of the Supreme Court by conventions of delegates chosen by the enrolled voters of the party at direct primaries ; the granting to cities and villages of adequate powers of self government and control over local municipal affairs and business free from legisla- tive interference ; and the continued maintenance of the existing balance of power between the executive and legislative branches of government.
The last proposition marked a complete reversal of party policies on the part of the two dominant parties within a period of five years. The keynote of the Con- stitutional convention of 1915, as expressed in its pro- posed revision of the Constitution submitted to the people was the centralization of power in the executive branch of the government at the expense of the legis- lative, and an expression of lack of confidence in the capacity of the electorate to intelligently select those who are to govern. This was the approved policy of the Republican party which dominated the convention. It was strenuously opposed by the Democrats and a small but militant minority of Republicans. Upon accession to office Governor Smith appointed what was known as the Reconstruction Commission. It made an exhaust- ive report, recommending a four-year term for the Gov- ernor, a short ballot, an executive budget, and a drastic consolidation of State activities under department heads appointed by and removable at the will of the Governor, precisely the things that had been previously
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opposed by the Democrats and that the people had decisively disapproved at the polls. Legislation was introduced to carry these recommendations into effect, but the Republican legislature refused approval.
In discussing the proposition the platform stated in part: "The basis of their plan is an enormous increase of executive power at the expense of the Legislative. Their alleged purpose is efficiency. The most efficient government of recent years was the late German gov- ernment and the most efficient government of all- judged by accomplishment-is an absolute dictatorship. A four year term, the dictation to the appropriating body of exactly what moneys can be appropriated, a cabinet appointed by the Governor and removable by him, with or without cause, the same method to be fol- lowed with the heads of all of the great departments and we have full political control of all the State's activities, including its expenditures, vested in one man who may or may not be worthy of the responsibility. We especially commend the Legislature for its refusal to consent to any proposition which would have magni- fied the power of the executive at the expense of the direct representatives of the people."
Early in the spring some of the foremost Republican leaders decided on Nathan L. Miller of Syracuse as their choice for Governor. Miller had been Comp- troller of the State and had retired from the bench of the Court of Appeals to resume the practice of law. He was reluctant to run, and it was generally understood that he felt himself bound to carry out obligations that he had undertaken for clients. Francis M.
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Hugo, Secretary of State, and Eugene M. Travis, Comptroller, were active candidates. Travis retired early from the field, leaving Hugo in apparent lead for the nomination. Elon H. Hooker of New York, a man- ufacturer of chemicals, who had been a follower of Roosevelt and national treasurer of the Progressive party, announced himself as a business candidate in the belief that Miller would not consent to run and that he might be the choice of the leaders who had sought to bring forward the ex-Judge. But before the meeting of the unofficial State convention Miller's reluctance had been overcome, and it was evident that a majority of the convention were for him. Hooker withdrew from the contest with a statement that he had entered it with what he thought "was a clear and definite understanding that Judge Miller could not and would not accept the nomi- nation." Two other aspirants also retired-Speaker Sweet and George F. Thompson. The latter declared that he did not seek an indorsement but would with- draw on account of the convention's "steam-roller methods." Three ballots were taken. The first showed 4461/2 votes for Miller, 3141/2 for Hugo, 128 for Henry M. Sage of Albany, 150 for John Lord O'Brian of Buffalo, 63 for Wesley O. Howard of Troy, 63 for Arthur S. Tompkins of Rockland, 3 for Frederick E. Crane of Brooklyn, and 1 for Speaker Sweet. On the second ballot Miller had 5071/2, Hugo 3151/2, Sage 80, O'Brian 95, Howard 57, Tompkins 44, and Crane 3. Five hundred and fifty-two votes were necessary for a choice, and on the third ballot Miller had 59512, Hugo 2921/2, Sage 76, O'Brian 74, Howard 46, Tompkins 46, and Crane 3.
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Senator Wadsworth was actively opposed for renomi- nation by some former Progressives, and more especially by women who had been prominent in the Suffrage movement, but his enemies failed to find an available candidate against him. On the ballot 97 votes were cast for Hooker without his consent; Wadsworth received 988 out of the total 1,133. Afterward efforts were made to induce Hooker to enter the primary against Wads- worth, but he declined. In the primary Miller was opposed for Governor by George F. Thompson, Jere- miah Wood for Lieutenant-Governor by William M. Bennett of New York, and Wadsworth for Senator by Ella . A. Boole of Kings (president of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of the State) and George Henry Payne of New York; and there were contestants against the "organization" nominees for Secretary of State, Treasurer, and Comptroller. Miller won by 127,000 over Thompson, and Wadsworth by 133,000 over the combined vote of his opponents.3
The Democrats held their unofficial State convention at Saratoga on August 3. Frank H. Mott was tem- porary and John K. Sague permanent chairman. Reso- lutions were adopted indorsing Cox and the Democratic national platform, attacking the Republican Legislature for blocking Governor Smith's reorganization plans,
3The Republican ticket was: Governor, Nathan L. Miller, Onondaga ; Lieutenant-Governor, Jeremiah Wood, Nassau; Secretary of State, John J. Lyons, New York; Comptroller, James A. Wendell, Montgomery; Treas- urer, N. Monroe Marshall, Franklin; Attorney-General, Charles D. Newton, Livingston; State Engineer, Frank M. Williams, Orange; Judges of the Court of Appeals, Emory A. Chase, Greene, and Frederick E. Crane, Kings; United States Senator, James W. Wadsworth, Jr., Livingston.
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favoring the extension of State credit for home-building together with limited tax exemptions, claiming for the Democracy credit for the great body of workmen's remedial measures passed in the State, declaring for the maintenance of direct nominations, opposing increased rate legislation for street railways, and favoring amend- ment of the Prohibition law to permit the use of light wines and beer. The liquor plank was carried through the resolutions committee by a vote of 21 to 13, two of its opponents taking the ground that it was not radical enough against prohibition. George R. Lunn led the opposition, carrying the fight for prohibition enforce- ment to the floor of the convention, where he rallied 34 votes. The convention decided not to make a formal designation for Governor, but to have a roll-call of counties for the purpose of testing out sentiment. Lunn objected to this program, but was beaten, 434 to 16. He had the support of 3 votes from Livingston, 1 from Ot- sego, 6 from Steuben, and 6 from Schenectady. Delega- tion after delegation announced a desire for the candi- dacy of Smith, whose popularity indeed made his re- nomination a foregone conclusion. Lieutenant-Gover- nor Walker was agreed upon as organization candidate for United States Senator. Against him George R. Lunn made a contest in the primaries and carried the counties of Fulton, Schoharie, Ulster, Rensselaer, and Schenectady, but Walker still had 65,000 plurality. The convention nominated Philip A. Laing of Erie for Attorney-General, but he declined, and Frank H. Mott of Chautauqua was substituted.4
4The Democratic ticket was: Governor, Alfred E. Smith, New York;
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The Prohibition organization designated a ticket with D. Leigh Colvin of New York at its head, but he was nominated for Vice-President by his party and George F. Thompson became the candidate. Ella A. Boole was nominated for United States Senator.5
Three parties competed for the radical vote. The Socialist Labor party and Socialist party were in the field with their usual programs. The latter held a con- vention in New York City on July 4 and put forth a platform reaffirming allegiance to the principles of international socialism and denouncing both the major parties in the matter of the Assembly expulsions; it declared for occupational as well as geographical repre- sentation in the government. An organization known as the American Labor party held a State convention at Schenectady the last of May, designated candidates for some State offices, and took part in the meeting at Chi- cago that crystalized in the formation of the Farmer- Labor party. In a Farmer-Labor conference on July 29 Dudley Field Malone, former Democratic Collector of the Port of New York, who had resigned to show his
Lieutenant-Governor, George R. Fitts, Tompkins; Secretary of State, Har- riet May Mills, Onondaga; Comptroller, Charles W. Berry, Kings; Treas- urer, John F. Healy, Westchester; Attorney-General, Frank H. Mott, Chautauqua; State Engineer, Paul McLoud, Cayuga; Judges of the Court of Appeals, Abram I. Elkus, New York, and Frederick E. Crane, Kings; United States Senator, Henry C. Walker, Broome.
5The Prohibition ticket was: Governor, George F. Thompson, Niagara ; Lieutenant-Governor, Edward G. Dietrich, Onondaga; Secretary of State, Irene B. Taylor, Schenectady; Treasurer, John McKee, Kings; Comptroller, William C. Gray, Oneida; Attorney-General, William H. Burr, Monroe; State Engineer, Arthur S. Light, Monroe; Judges of the Court of Appeals, Francis E. Baldwin, Chemung, and Coleridge A. Hart, Westchester; United States Senator, Ella A. Boole, Kings.
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disapproval of President Wilson's failure to support the Irish revolutionists and Attorney-General Palmer's procedure under the sedition and deportation laws, was nominated for Governor, and the earlier designations of the American-Labor group were accepted for other offices. 6
From the beginning of the campaign few doubted the success of the Republican national ticket in New York, although great efforts were made by the Democratic organization and press to win the support of Republican advocates of the League of Nations covenant. The only
6Owing to the election law's limitation as to the length of party names, the Socialist Labor party of America appears on the New York ballot as the Social Labor party. Election laws in other States forbidding two parties to use the same or part of the same name have resulted in its being known by other names in several States; thus, in Maryland as the Labor party, in Minnesota as the Industrial Labor party, and in Pennsylvania as the Industrial party.
The Socialist Labor ticket was: Governor, John P. Quinn, Kings; Lieutenant-Governor, Jeremiah D. Crowley, Onondaga; Secretary of State, May Phalor, New York; Comptroller, John De Lee, Rensselaer; Treasurer, John A. Withers, Monroe; Attorney-General, John Donahue, New York; State Engineer, Charles C. Crawford, New York; United States Senator, Harry Carlson, Kings.
The Socialist ticket was: Governor, Joseph D. Cannon, New York; Lieutenant-Governor, Jessie Wallace Hughan, Kings; Secretary of State, Charles W. Noonan, Schenectady; Comptroller, Philip Randolph, New York; Treasurer, Hattie Kruger, Erie; Attorney-General, Darwin J. Meserole, Suffolk; State Engineer, Vladimir Karapetoff, Tompkins; Judges of the Court of Appeals, Leon A. Malkiel, New York, and Jacob Axelrod, New York; United States Senator, Jacob Panken, New York.
The Farmer-Labor ticket was: Governor, Dudley Field Malone, New York; Lieutenant-Governor, P. E. Haffey, Monroe; Secretary of State, William Auyer, Jefferson; Comptroller, Helen Hamlin Fincke, Westchester ; Treasurer, Joseph E. Cronk, Rensselaer; Attorney-General, F. R. Serri, Kings; Judges of the Court of Appeals, Swinburne Hale, New York, and Thomas F. Dwyer, Queens; United States Senator, Rose Schneiderman, Bronx.
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conspicuous defection among active Republican poli- ticians was that of Herbert Parsons, who had just retired from membership in the national committee and been succeeded by Charles D. Hilles. Parsons declared for support of Cox as the only means that would assure the establishment of a peace league. While the Repub- licans counted on the State's Electoral vote, they were by no means so certain of electing the Governor. Governor Smith enjoyed great personal popularity, and his course in the Executive office had won him many friends among Republicans, especially the women voters. The election returns paid him a tremendous personal tribute and showed that nothing but the overwhelming country- wide sweep against the Democracy prevented his reëlection.
Harding received over 7,000,000 plurality on the popular vote and carried all but eleven States. Cox carried no State outside the south. He lost Missouri and Tennessee. The Electoral vote was: Harding,
404; Cox, 127. The popular vote was: Harding, 16,152,200; Cox, 9,147,353; Watkins (Prohibitionist),
189,408; Debs (Socialist), 919,799; Christensen (Farmer-Labor), 265,411; W. W. Cox (Socialist Labor), 31,175; Macauley (Single Tax), 5,837. In addition there were scattering votes in several States under different party designations.7 The Republicans won both houses of Congress-the Senate by 59 to 37 and the House of Representatives by 300 to 132 Demo- crats and 1 Socialist.
7Statistical Abstract of the United States, 1920.
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New York gave Harding 1,871,167 votes; Cox, 781,238 ; Debs, 203,201; Watkins, 19,653; Christensen, 18,413; W. W. Cox (Socialist Labor), 4,358. The Republicans carried every county in the State. Their unprecedented plurality of 1,089,929 for President was cut down to 73,888 for Governor, so strong was Smith's popularity and so little did popular desire for the change in the government at Washington carry with it general adhesion to the Republican party on local mat- ters. Miller received 1,335,617 votes ; Smith, 1,261,729; Cannon (Socialist), 171,907 ; Malone (Farmer-Labor), 49,953; Thompson (Prohibitionist), 16,978; Quinn (Socialist Labor), 4,641. While Harding carried Greater New York by 438,000 plurality, Smith won every metropolitan county and had 411,000 plurality in the city, but he carried no county outside. All the other Republican candidates for State offices were elected, including Chase and Crane to the Court of Appeals. Wadsworth, despite the organized opposition · of woman suffragists and a special drive made against him as a reactionary and an enemy of prohibition, car- ried every county in the State and won by 546,286 plu- rality, receiving 1,431,347 votes to 885,061 for Walker, 159,477 for Mrs. Boole (Prohibitionist), 151,246 for Panken (Socialist), 15,086 for Schneiderman (Farmer- Labor), and 6,522 for Carlson (Socialist Labor).
The Republicans elected 33 Congressmen from New York, the Democrats 9, and the Socialists 1. The State Senate stood, Republicans, 40; Democrats, 10; Social- ist, 1. In the Assembly the Republicans had 118, the Democrats 29, and the Socialists 3.
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An amendment to the State Constitution authorizing the issue of bonds in anticipation of taxes and regulating the authorization of debt and the conduct of the sinking fund was carried by a large majority. The people also approved by a large majority a measure submitted by referendum authorizing the State to issue $45,000,000 of bonds to provide for giving bonuses to soldiers and sailors of the World War, which, however, the Court of Appeals subsequently held to be in violation of the Constitution.
INDEX
Note .- This Index embodies New York names and subjects, and Na- tional subjects and names from other States that are of special importance as related to New York politics; but minor names and matters outside New York are not indexed.
ADAM, J. N .: Mayor of Buffalo, IV, 131.
Adams, Campbell W .: Nominated for State Engineer, III, 389; Re- nominated, 413 .- Official conduct, IV, 47.
Adams, William H .: Candidate for judicial nomination, III, 412.
Adamson Law, The (Federal), IV, 285, 287.
Adirondack Reservation, The, III, 313.
Adler, Simon L .: Republican leader of Assembly, IV, 300.
Agnew, George B .: State Senator, IV, 138.
Agnew-Hart Bill, The: Introduced, IV, 145; Enacted, 146; Chanler's at- titude, 162.
Agriculture : State service to, III, 31; Sale of lands for establishment of Cornell University, 39.
Ahearn, John F .: President of Bor- ough of Manhattan, IV, 171; 254.
Ainsworth, Danforth E .: Defeated for Speaker, III, 333, 394.
Albany, Conventions held in: Demo- cratic, III, 41, 54 (Democratic and Conservative Republican), 68, 83, 89, 212, 265, 376; IV, 335 .- Republi- can, III, 377 .- Liberal Republican, III, 164, 168, 178 .- Anti-Snap, III, 376.
Albany Argus, The, III, 42, 88, 231. Albany Evening Journal, The, III, 239, 241.
Albany Express, The, III, 239. Albany Regency, 'The, III, 19. Alden, Carlos C .: Nominated for Court of Appeals, IV, 220.
Aldermen, Boodle (New York City), III, 322.
Aldridge, George W .: III, 401 .- Defeated for nomination for Gover- nor, IV, 23, 25, 26; Superintendent of Public Works, 47; at Republican convention of 1898, 51; State con- vention of 1904, 95; Part in selec- tion of Wadsworth for Speaker, 121; Railroad Commissioner, 137; Sup- ports Hughes for Presidential nomi- nation in 1908, 146; 154; Candidate for Congress, 176-177; Convention of 1910, 182; National convention of 1912, 210; Convention of 1914, 251; National convention of 1916, 275; 292; Supports Whitman for third term, 302, 304; National convention of 1920, 334.
Alexander, Charles B., IV, 308. Alexander, James W., IV, 116.
Aliens: Employment on public works, IV, 257.
Allds, Jotham P .: State Senator, IV, 139; President pro tem. of Senate, 172; 173; Charge against, 175-176. Allen, Ethan: and Liberal Republi- can indorsement of Hayes, III, 189; Defeated for nomination for Treas- urer, 288.
Allen, Norman L .: Delegate, III, 343. Allen, William F .: Nominated for Comptroller, III, 70, 102; Judge of Court of Appeals, 108; Supported for Democratic nomination for Gov- ernor, 163, 164, 165.
Alvord, Thomas G .: Lieutenant-Gov- ernor, III, 58; 62; Defeated for Speaker, 131; Elected Speaker, 226;
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260; 268; Vice-President of Consti- tutional convention of 1894, 395.
Amendments to Constitution of New York .: 1865, to create Commis- sioners of Appeal, defeated, III, 40- 41; 1869, reconstituting the judiciary, adopted, 73-74, 75; 1872, creating Commissioners of Appeal, 131; 1873, elective judicial system retained, 157; 1874, amendments recom- mended by Constitutional commis- sion, adopted, 158-160; 1876, es- tablishing Superintendents of Public Works and State Prisons, adopted, 196; 1879, for additional Justice, adopted, 236; 1880, concerning judi- ciary, adopted, 253; 1882, concern- ing judiciary, and abolishing canal tolls, adopted, 279; 1888, restrict- ing indebtedness of cities, adopted, 310; 1888, concerning judiciary, adopted, 349; 1890, provision for submitting a Prohibition amend- ment, not carried out, 354; 1892, for transferring to the courts jurisdic- tion over disputed elections of legislators, defeated, 359, 382; 1892, for additional Justices and for sale of Onondaga Salt Springs, defeated, 382; 1894, changes made by Con- stitutional convention, adopted, 397- 398; 1894, concerning judiciary, adopted, 408; 1895, for canal im- provement, adopted, 414 .- 1896, con- cerning Forest Preserve, defeated, IV, 33; 1899, concerning Municipal Assembly and bonded indebtedness of New York City, and judiciary, all adopted, 65-66; 1903, concerning $101,000,000 canal improvement, adopted, 61, 90; 1905, concerning State improvement bonds, direct tax, judiciary, labor on public work, highway improvement, and New York City debt limit, all adopted, 119; 1907, concerning debt limit of second-class cities, and population requirement for first-class cities, both adopted, 143; 1909, concerning judiciary, interest on State debts, powers of County Auditors, and New York City debt limit, all adopted, 172; 1910, concerning judi- ciary, defeated, and Palisades Park,
adopted, 191-192; 1912, concerning legislators' salaries, judiciary, con- demnations, Governor's salary, and sale of canal property, all defeated, 204; 1912, concerning bonds for canal terminals, adopted, 204; 1913, "Excess Condemnation," Workmen's Compensation, concerning judiciary, and for setting aside land in Forest Preserve, all adopted, 244-245; 1915, changes made by Constitutional con- vention, defeated, 265; 1915, for Woman Suffrage, and concerning in- terest on State bonds, both defeated, 265; 1915, concerning bonds for canal improvement, adopted, 265- 266; 1916, concerning bonds for State Park purposes, adopted, 292; 1917, concerning city debt limits, and for Woman Suffrage, both adopted, 298-299; 1918, concerning State debt period, State highway through Forest Preserve, sale of canal-bed in Utica, and unexpended balances for high- way improvement, all adopted, 315; 1919, concerning drainage, and ab- sentee voting, both adopted, 319- 320; 1919, to increase legislators' and judicial salaries, defeated, 320; 1920, concerning bonds for taxes, etc., adopted, 351 .- See "Constitu- tional Conventions" and "Constitu- tional Commisstion."
Amendments to Constitution of the United States: See "Thirteenth," "Fourteenth," "Fifteenth," "Six- teenth," "Seventeenth," "Eighteenth," and "Nineteenth" Amendments.
American Labor Party, The (1920), IV, 347.
American Party, The (1914), IV, 251- 252.
Anarchists: The Lusk committee and, IV, 317.
Anderson, E. Ellery: in Anti-Snap movement, III, 376.
Anderson, Martin B .: Niagara Falls Reservation, III, 285.
Anderson, Robert H .: Nominated for Prison Inspector, III, 193.
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