ALFRED E. SMITH - PROCLAMATION SIGNED 08/03/1923 CO-SIGNED BY: GEORGE R. VANNAMER - HFSID 101313

ALFRED E. SMITH
Signed copy of a 1923 proclamation on the death of President Warren G. Harding, who died when Smith was Governor of New York.
Typed document signed "Alfred E. Smith" as Governor of New York and "George R. Van Namer" as Secretary to the Governor, 2 pages, 6x8¾, separate sheets. Albany, New York, Aug. 3, 1923. Copy of New York Governor Alfred E Smith's proclamation upon the death of President Warren G. Harding on August 2, 1923. In part: "The nation with deep feeling of sorrow learns of the loss of its President, Warren Gamaliel Harding. History records the fact that the best years of his life were devoted to the public service. He assumed his duties as chief executive of the Nation at a critical period in the country's history. He gave to the great office all his strength and energy...As Chief Executive of the State of New York, I request that flags upon all public buildings, including arsenals and armories, be displayed at half-mast up to and including the day that the mortal remains of the President are laid to rest." President WARREN G. HARDING died on August 2nd in San Francisco and was buried on August 10, 1923 in Marion, Ohio. Alfred E. Smith (1873-1944), a vigorous reformer as Governor of New York (1919-1920, 1923-1928), was first suggested as a presidential possibility in 1920. His supporters were more numerous in 1924, when his name was placed in nomination by Franklin D. Roosevelt, who dubbed him the "happy warrior". Al Smith lost the nomination to John W. Davis on the 103rd ballot. As a candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination in 1928, he had no serious opposition and was nominated on the first ballot. In so doing, Smith became the first Roman Catholic presidential nominee of a major party. In the election, he was defeated by Herbert Hoover, winning only eight states and losing New York. After leaving politics, Smith became President of Empire State, Inc., the corporation that erected and operated the Empire State Building. Although he gave belated support to Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1932 presidential election, Smith soon broke with his old friend and supported Republicans Landon in 1936 and Willkie in 1940. A forceful opponent to Roosevelt's New Deal, Smith died a month before the 1944 election at the age of 70. Lightly toned and soiled. Lightly creased on first page. Otherwise, fine condition.