A plaque remaining from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem.

Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.

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Entry from December 05, 2010
“I’m not a member of any organized political party—I’m a Democrat”

“I’m not a member of any organized political party—I’m a Democrat” is a famous political quotation attributed to humorist Will Rogers (1879-1935), although Rogers said it a little differently. In October 1930, Rogers had dinner and went to a movie premiere with James Rolph, Jr. (1869-1934), who was running what would be a success campaign for California’s governor. Rolph was San Francisco’s longest-serving mayor (from 1912-1931).
 
Will Rogers said at the movie premiere with Rolph:
 
“The mayor has been in charge of San Francisco so long they call him ‘Junior.’ He’s succeeded himself. The governor is a republican, but I am a member of no political organization. I am a democrat.”
 
   
Wikiquote: Will Rogers
William Penn Adair Rogers (4 November 1879 – 15 August 1935) was an American humorist and entertainer; known primarily as Will Rogers.
(...)
Will Rogers, Ambassador of Good Will, Prince of Wit and Wisdom (1935) by P. J. O’Brien
I am not a member of any organized party — I am a Democrat.
. Ch. 9 “Rogers was a lifelong Democrat but he studiously avoided partisanship. He contributed to the Democratic campaign funds, but at the same time he frequently appeared on benefit programs to raise money for the Republican treasury. Republican leaders sought his counsel in their campaigns as often as did the Democrats.” ~ P. J. O’Brien
. Variants: I don’t belong to an organized political party. I’m a Democrat.
.. I belong to no organized party. I am a Democrat.
 
Wikipedia: James Rolph
James Rolph, Jr. (August 23, 1869 – June 2, 1934) was an American politician and a member of the Republican Party. He was elected to a single term as the 27th Governor of California from January 6, 1931 until his death on June 2, 1934 at the height of the Great Depression. Previously, Rolph had been Mayor of San Francisco from January 8, 1912 until his resignation to become governor. Rolph remains the longest serving mayor in San Francisco history.
 
Google News Archive
3 October 1930, Dubuque (IA) Telegraph-Herald and Times-Journal, pg. 1, col. 3:
Will Rogers Dishes
Up Some Wisecracks

Hollywood, Oct. 3.—(U.P.)—Will Rogers patched up a public truce with Clara Bow at one of the Hollywood movie premiers last night.
 
Rogers, introducing Mayor James Rolph, Jr., of San Francisco, the republican gubernatorial nominee, recalled his recent statements concerning the adventures of Miss Bow at a Calneva, Nev., gambling place. Rogers took her to dinner and afterward she lost $13,900 at the tables, but stopped payment on the checks.
 
“Of late I seem to be introducing a lot of people in unconventional places after dinner,” the humorist said. “I had dinner with Mayor Rolph tonight. If he gets into trouble after I introduce him I want everybody to know I’m not responsible.
 
“The mayor has been in charge of San Francisco so long they call him ‘Junior.’ He’s succeeded himself. The governor is a republican, but I am a member of no political organization. I am a democrat.”
 
Google News Archive
23 August 1935, Berkeley (CA) Daily Gazette, “Life of Will Rogers” by Robert Burkhardt, pg. 2, col. 2:
Although he tried to maintain a semblance of neutrality in politics, and slammed Republicans and Democrats with strict impartiality when he thought they rated it, Rogers was a life-long Democrat.
 
However, he studiously avoided partisanship and was as often called into consultation by leaders of the G. O. P. as he was by his own organization for campaign advice.
 
In introducing the late Governor James Rolph at a movie premiere once, Rogers mentioned that “Jimmy has the Republicans jumping through hoops in this State,” and added, “Personally, I’m not a member of any organized party—I’m a Democrat.”

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