Realizing that Wallace was running away with the vote, Democratic National Committee members panicked. And yet, the organist kept playing the “Iowa Corn Song,” in support of Wallace. Pauley turned to Neale Roach and said, “Stop that organ!” He pointed to a fire ax. “Neale,” he said, “do you see that ax up there above the organ? Go up there, get that ax and chop every goddamn cable there is, every one. That’s the only thing that will stop [the organist]. We’re going to call off the convention tonight.” Minutes later the organ music suddenly stopped. Democratic Party leaders scrambled to end the
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