ALFRED E. SMITH - TYPED LETTER SIGNED 04/28/1931 - HFSID 262847

ALFRED E. SMITH
Smith signed this typed letter to H. P. Howell, president of The Commercial National Bank and Trust Company of New York, as chairman of the County Trust Company of New York in 1931. In it, he thanked Howell for "the lovely flowers, as well as your good wishes which were received yesterday at the opening of out new Empire State Branch." This letter was dated just three days before the official opening of the Empire State building, which Smith helped to build.
Typed letter signed: "Alfred Smith", 1 page, 7x10½, on Smith's personalized letterhead as chairman of the County Trust Company of New York. New York, New York, 1931 April 28. Addressed toMr. H. P. Howell, president of The Commercial National Bank and Trust Company of New York, New York City. In full: "Dear Mr. Howell: I want to thank you for the lovely flowers, as well as your good wishes which were received yesterday at the opening of out new Empire State Branch. It was very thoughtful of you, and I am deeply grateful. Sincerely yours," This letter is dated just three days before the official opening of the Empire State building, which Smith helped to build. 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, soiled and creased. Two file holes at top edge. Folded twice and unfolded. Otherwise, fine condition.