Changes

After serving in the patronage-rich job of sheriff of New York County (Manhattan) beginning in 1915, Smith was elected governor of New York in 1918. [[William Randolph Hearst]], a leading newspaper publisher, was the leader of the left-wing of the Democratic party in the city, and had combined with Tammany Hall in electing the local administration; he had been attacking Smith for "starving children" by not reducing the cost of milk. Smith effectively destroyed Hearst's political career, denouncing him as, "A man as low and mean as I can picture". Hearst swore revenge.

After serving in the patronage-rich job of sheriff of New York County (Manhattan) beginning in 1915, Smith was elected governor of New York in 1918. [[William Randolph Hearst]], a leading newspaper publisher, was the leader of the left-wing of the Democratic party in the city, and had combined with Tammany Hall in electing the local administration; he had been attacking Smith for "starving children" by not reducing the cost of milk. Smith effectively destroyed Hearst's political career, denouncing him as, "A man as low and mean as I can picture". Hearst swore revenge.

Smith was the expert in politics who mastered all the details of legislation and administrative procedure. Furthermore he could negotiate in the back rooms with politicians, and give a speech that swayed the voters by communicate his goals.  He learned by explaining things to himself, and using his own rich vocabulary he used homely parallels and examples that smoothly conveyed his meaning his attentive audiences. One weakness was not building a strong statewide party using his patronage powers. Smith won elections on his own popularity; since he was indispensable to party victory, the various factions and organizations always followed him, until Roosevelt became governor in 1928 and did build a patronage machine.

Smith was the expert in politics who mastered all the details of legislation and administrative procedure. Furthermore, he could negotiate in the back rooms with politicians, and give a speech that swayed the voters by communicate his goals.  He learned by explaining things to himself, and using his own rich vocabulary he used homely parallels and examples that smoothly conveyed his meaning his attentive audiences. One weakness was not building a strong statewide party using his patronage powers. Smith won elections on his own popularity; since he was indispensable to party victory, the various factions and organizations always followed him, until Roosevelt became governor in 1928 and did build a patronage machine.

Smith lost his bid for reelection in 1920, but was reelected as governor in 1922, 1924 and 1926.  As governor he became known nationally as a progressive who sought to make government more efficient and more effective in meeting social needs. His young assistant, [[Robert Moses]], constructed the nation's first state park system and reformed the civil service system; Smith later appointed him New York State Secretary of State. During Smith's term New York strengthened laws governing workers' compensation, women's pensions, and child and women's labor with the help of [[Frances Perkins]], soon to be FDR's Labor Secretary, and ahead of many states.   

Smith lost his bid for reelection in 1920, but was reelected as governor in 1922, 1924 and 1926.  As governor he became known nationally as a progressive who sought to make government more efficient and more effective in meeting social needs. His young assistant, [[Robert Moses]], constructed the nation's first state park system and reformed the civil service system; Smith later appointed him New York State Secretary of State. During Smith's term New York strengthened laws governing workers' compensation, women's pensions, and child and women's labor with the help of [[Frances Perkins]], soon to be FDR's Labor Secretary, and ahead of many states.