1932–33 Volume 57 No 1–5 - Phi Delta Theta Scroll Archive

Phis Furnish LeadershipTom Connally, Governor Ely, andJouett Shouse Were in the LimelightBy RUSSELL H. FITZGIBBON, Hanover, '24DEMOCRATIC national conventions canusually be relied on to furnish moreof a pyrotechnic display than thequadrennial gatherings of their friendlyenemies, the Republicans.We don't exactly know the reason. Perhapsit is because the Democrats take theirpolitics more seriously. Perhaps their appetitesare whetted as they taste victory lessoften than their opponents. Perhaps it is becausethey—tenaciously, whether wisely ornot—adhere to the century-old rule of requiringa two-thirds vote for presidentialnomination.The Democratic convention of last Junewas no exception to. the rule of exdtementand fireworks. Even if it did not furnishthe tense drama of its predecessor of 1924it was packed with Big Moments. Its leaderssensed victory in the air and Democracy'shosts were open in their jubilation.Three of those leaders were members of$ A 0. This unusual spectacle has neverbefore been matched by our own Fraternityand perhaps not by any other. The three inquestion were Jouett Shouse, Missouri, '99,Tom Connally, Texas, '00, and Joseph B.Ely, Williams, '02.Shouse had been prominent in the preconventionpicture as the militant chairmanof the executive committee of the DemocraticNational Committee. As such he hadGovernor Joseph B. Ely, Williams, '02, on the Speakers' Stand, Nominating Al Smith for the Presidency[42]