State legislature thumb|upright=1.2|Smith at his desk in the New York Assembly in 1913 Smith was first elected to the New York State Assembly (New York Co., 2nd D.) in 1904, and was repeatedly elected to office, serving through 1915. After being approached by Frances Perkins, an activist to improve labor practices, Smith sought to improve the conditions of factory workers.
State legislature thumb|upright=12|Smith at his desk in the New York Assembly in 1913 Smith was first elected to the New York State Assembly (New York Co 2nd D) in 1904 and was repeatedly elected to office serving through 1915 After being approached by Frances Perkins an activist to improve labor practices Smith sought to improve the conditions of factory workers