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Frances PerkinsFrances Perkins
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Smith, of course, was totally dependent upon people for his information. They felt that. I think a strange sense of honor would rise in them and they just didn't deceive him much. I suppose they did occasionally, but he was shrewd and he was smart and would find out if they had.

I don't remember many great conflicts and contests. I suppose it was his own direct way of dealing with things. I've never thought of it really. I've never contrasted Roosevelt and Smith before. They were so totally different in temperament and in method of operation and also in the way in which they emerged into political life. They had to have a different approach. Smith knew he was the beloved of the organization. They just adored him. The organization was the regular Democratic organization of the State of New York. They adored him because he was “one of our boys that made good.” That was one of the big arguments for him. He wasn't one of the big fellows over whom people had gotten together and said, “We've got to run him for Governor.” He was “one of our own.” Always before it had been a slightly uplifted personality - somebody a little better than the run of the mill people who would do what you wanted done, but wasn't one of you. Smith was their own and they just adored him. He knew that they couldn't be pried loose from him. I'm pretty sure that was what gave





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