The Loser

In Albany, the wind was raw and sharp as the Governor of New York and his wife --both in solemn mood--boarded the train for Manhattan to vote, and then to wait a nation's decision. In Manhattan, 78 people were in line ahead of the Deweys in the Park Avenue precinct. The others stood aside, despite Dewey's protest that "We haven't anything else to do today. We can wait."

The anxious hours ticked away: lunch, just the Deweys together, in their five-bedroom suite at the Hotel Roosevelt; in the afternoon, a "thank you" meeting for 250 party leaders; dinner in an uptown apartment with six close friends. As the election returns began to pour into Republican National Headquarters at the Hotel Roosevelt, the crowds downstairs in the big ballroom were confident--many wore evening clothes, ready to go out and celebrate. But on the tenth floor, the Dewey party, isolated from press and public, listened tensely. The first tidings seemed "encouraging," but by 11:30 p.m. the news looked bad. Dewey was on the verge of conceding. Then Dewey's staff of statisticians found there was a mathematical chance; bellhops brought in Scotch highballs, sandwiches, coffee.

Shortly after midnight, many pro-Dewey newspapers abandoned hope. But at 1:30 a.m., G.O.P. Chairman Herbert Brownell gave 40 waiting newsmen the first official G.O.P. report: results in key states were still "inconclusive." At 3:15 a.m., most of the downstairs celebrants had gone home in dejection. Then Tom Dewey and his wife came out to see newsmen. He read a statement: "It's clear that Mr. Roosevelt had been re-elected for a fourth term, and every good American will wholeheartedly accept the will of the people. ... [I devoutly] hope that in the difficult years ahead, divine Providence will guide and protect the President of the United States."

The Associated Press's veteran Jack Bell shook Tom Dewey's hand, and wished him better luck in 1948. "I have no illusions about that," the Governor replied. He paused a moment, as if there were more to say, could he find the right words. Then he added: "I haven't said anything that I am sorry for or that I ever will have to take back."

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