Smith, Alfred E.

Description

Autograph ID: 6954
Condition: Good, fold thru “e”, corners clipped, top of “A” and bottom of “f” slightly cut off
Description: “(1873-1944) NY politician, 3-time elected governor 1919-20 & 1923-28. He was the foremost urban leader of the efficiency-oriented Progressive Movement, noted for achieving a wide range of reforms as governor. He was also linked to the notorious Tammany Hall machine that controlled Manhattan politics and was a strong opponent of prohibition. 1st Catholic to run for US President as 1928 Democratic Party nominee, trounced by Herbert Hoover owing to his unpopularity among Southern Baptists and German Lutherans who believed the Catholic Church and the Pope would dictate his policies. He sought the 1932 nomination but lost to his former ally and successor as Governor, Franklin D. Roosevelt. After the 1928 election, Smith became president of Empire State, Inc., which built and operated the Empire State Building. He became an increasingly vocal opponent of Roosevelt’s New Deal, joining the American Liberty League and supporting Republican presidential candidates Alf Landon in 1936 and Wendell Willkie in 1940.

Signed 1 1/8 x 3 ¼ lined piece”
Type: Signature