De La Salle Institute - Torch Yearbook (New York, NY)

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l l 1 T . 5 I ., X 1 Ai Q - i -'i . i ,-4' 13 5 - Sg c, 0 53 - 1 6 jg h -.U 3 .' C N! headline caught our eyes. Here is what we read: Use Canavan's Tooth Paste. Manufactured by the Cana.van Chemical Laboratories. While riding home I remarked to my friend that we had met quite a few of our old pals from De La Salle, had found out about some others, and that we would probably meet no more of them for another long time. But the morrow, the opening day of the convention, held more surprises in store for us. As we entered the convention hall the band was playing the National anthem. Standing at attention we could see the band director majestically waving his baton in ythe air. Somehow that figure was familiar to us. Suddenly it dawned upon our minds. It was Sousa's successor, jack Cunningham. The applause of the crowd after the rendition of the Star Spangled Banner was silenced by John Tierney, the chairman, banging on the desk with his gavel. He announced that the first speaker would be Mr. Stavracos, candidate for Governor of New York. In his speech George nominated Roy Kenel, President of Cornell University, as the Democratic candidate. The following speaker, George Conboy, seconded Kenel's nomination in a long, sleep-producing oration. Other speakers followed, nominat- ing various men, and finally Mr. Curry took the speaker's dais. In Tammany Hall style jawn lauded Senator McCormack and termed him as the leading American. As he left the platform, all agreed that McCormack's candidacy was a failure so far. Curry was worse than Conboy. However, jim Prior, old Genial,' himself, saved the day for the Senator. Mixing oratorical brilliancy, biting sarcasm, and clever wit he prepared a compound that won the dele- gates over to his side. Closing his speech with one of the most dramatic finishes ever heard in an American hall, he brought the crowd to its feet. Amid wild cheering and applausing delegation after delegation joined McCormack's ranks and he carried the convention on the iirst ballot. Kenel was given the second place on the ticket and the convention adjourned. Then a most unusual thing happened. Charlie Billings, who was on the road selling iron toy balloons, arrived in the city with the full intention of attending the convention. On being informed that the convention was over he tried ito sell us' his ware. For the Sake of Olde Lang Syne we bought the encumbrances. At last we bid adieu to Chicago as the train roared along the track. VV hat a happy group. Everyone joyful of the fact that two De La Salle boys were on the Democratic ticket. As the veils of night obscured the sun, a telegram came over the wire with the news that Dan Thompson had been nominated by the Republicans. Gladness and sadness prevailed. VV e were glad that the Red and Blue had scored again but in November an Institute graduate must fall. Murphy, Republican boss, and Congressman John Thompson, a former insurgent, pledged their full support to Dan. Q - In the morning as the train rolled into a small town we recognized in a farmer, chewing tobacco on one side of his mouth and straw on the other, old VVenel, or properly, Harry Vifenning. He was remarking to a group of hay- ' i541 -

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.9- EVQH . V' at 'i was 1 fefaeistxg TGA?-:gil-A --use .assist now a well-known criminal lawyer and at that time a candidate for Representative of our district. W'hen we left, we all assured Jim of our votes in the approaching election. On the way home, Gene bought a paper. Boy, look! Pat Christopher, you remember him, has just closed a 34,000,000 deal for the big world's cham- pionship iight in his 150,000 seat stadium. The next morning we learned to our gratification that 'Archbishop Anton XNeinig had been elevated by the Holy. Father to the Cardinalship. Arriving at my office next morning, I went into conference with Charlie Nobile, the great contractor. After the conclusion of a contract for the construction of a million-dollar residence for Jack O'Connell, the big collar and tie manufacturer. PART II This particular year was a Presidential year. As the Democratic convention was being held in Chicago, we decided to go out there. VVhen we arrived in the VVindy City, we were greeted by Mayor Kennedy. VVith him was Joe Hayes who was the chief accountant for the Federal Reserve Banks in the Illinois dis- trict. From the station the Mayor took us to the Connell Hotel, named after the architect. After being shown to our room, I sank into an easy chair and picking up a paper I read an article by Norman McKenna, Associated Press reponter, stating that Senator McCormack, whose candidacy was being directed by Tam- many Curry, was the leading Democratic choice. My friend looking over the sports page found out that a fight, better than the forthcoming convention, was being held in the stadium that day. Since we had nothing else to do we decided to attend the bouts. But we were temporarily doomed to disappointment. All the purchasable seats were sold and the only available tickets were held by the promoters. As we were rather prominent we decided to attempt to get two of these tickets. VVith faltering hearts we entered the office and asked for the promoters. Oh, what a Grand and Glorious Feeling when we found that the governing officials were Costa and Bertini. Our two old school day friends readily gave the two much desired tickets and after thanking them for their generosity w'e began to weave our way through the crowd down to our seats. After being comfortably seated we began to look about and there, grinning into our faces with that old smile of his, was Tom McGuinness. He' told us that after losing the title to Tom Manning's pupil he secured a job as referee and that that accounted for his presence in the ring. ' The notables present at the fights were then announced. Among them was the Hon. Dominick Spina, Ambassador to Italy and a dark-horse candidate for the Jeffersonian nomination. At last the main iight started and was proceeding briskly and entertainingly along when it was suddenly halted inthe fourth round. Benny Blois, the manager of one of the boxers, jumped into the ring and claimed that his man had been fouled. As the argument grew bitter the crowd became restless and then active so that the affair ended ina semi-riot. As we walked out of the park a glaring l53l

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g 1 l i- 1 W-pkg, my seeders that these new-fangled steam engines would stop the hens from laying eggs. After arriving in New York we repaired to Steve VVohlleb's night club where we were entertained by Schaefer's Dancing Beauties. As the night drew to a close we realized that all of our old classmates, but Stanley, had been heard from. Our wonder as to his whereabouts was soon dispelled when Steve shoved a paper before us. The following glared across the front page: Stanley Reaches South Pole in a Row Boatf' And so came to an end the episodes which brought back to us our old pals. QQ