ABSTRACT
A selection of John Simon Guggenheim fellows chosen suggests a multiplying of many kinds of mental activities in the late twenties. As governor of New York State, Alfred E. Smith had concerned himself with three areas of action: "First, the reorganization of the State government; second, the preservation of political, individual, state and legal rights; and third, welfare legislation." Under the goad of the first concern, he had achieved the cutting down of the number of state agencies and a short ballot for elections. Herbert Hoover and Smith represented clear-cut differences, but the campaign as conducted blurred the distinctions. Hoover's political doctrine was orthodox: When business prospered, the rest of the country was assured of prosperity. Hoover had sat through all the cabinet meetings of Harding from 1920 to 1923 but had never felt compelled to protest any activity of that notorious administration. Hoover's and Smith's acceptance speeches at their respective Conventions offered a clear-cut choice to the voters.
