The Chicago Conventions The Republicans will assemble in Chicago for
their nominating convention a few days hence, to be followed by the Democrats at the end of June. It is taken for granted that Mr. Hoover will be the choice of his party by accla- mation. So unchangeable is the practice of renominating the President at the close of his first term that, despite all that has occurred since 1929, the Republican managers have at no time given thought to an alternative candidate. The Democrats, on the contrary, are in a desperate quan- dary. Their most picturesque and forceful man, ex- Governor Smith of New York, will not be nominated again ; the Democrats of the South and West are resolved that a Tarrunany leader whose presence in the contest means the fiercest of religious issues cannot run. Mr. Franklin Roosevelt will have by far the largest force of delegates in the Democratic convention. He is Governor of New York State ; he has a good public record, and a very powerful name. But " Al " Smith and the main body of his adherents are against the Governor, and the party rule which makes necessary a two-thirds majority may be his undoing. In that event the nomination of a less prominent politician is assured. It is universally recognized that the Democrats have a greater chance of winning the Presidency this year than at any time in the past half-century, but their internal dissensions may destroy it. * * * *
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