RISING TIDE OF SENTIMENT FOR SMITH & DAVIS
New York City (JFK+50) On July 1, 1924, N.O. Messenger, staff correspondent of The Evening Star, reports W.G. McAdoo "watched the rising tide of (Alfred E.) Smith and (John W.) Davis sentiment menace his leadership in the balloting of the Democratic convention*."
Messenger writes that this trend away from McAdoo makes it virtually "certain" that his nomination is impossible.
The Star reports the two top candidates polling as follows:
16th ballot McAdoo 478 Smith 315.5
17th ballot McAdoo 471.5 Smith 312.5
18th ballot McAdoo 470.5 Smith 312.5
19th ballot McAdoo 474 Smith 310.5
20th ballot McAdoo 432 Smith 307.5
21st ballot McAdoo 439 Smith 307.5
21st ballot McAdoo 438.5 Smith 307.5
*The 1924 Democratic National Convention met at New York City's Madison Square Garden from June 24 to July 9, 1924.
JFK+50 NOTE
A surge for the nomination of John W. Davis took place between the 87th & 100th ballots. Davis went from 3rd place 66.5 votes to 2nd place 203.5 votes with Smith leading with 351.5 votes.
On the 103rd, record-setting final ballot, Davis took the nomination with 844 votes, Oscar W. Underwood second with 102.5 votes & far down the list McAdoo 11.5 votes & Smith 7.5 votes.
SOURCE
"M'Adoo Faces Loss In Mounting Tide For John W. Davis," by N.O. Messenger, The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 1, 1924, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
