Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-05-06
TILE TW0-THIRDS RULE.

The Albany Argus shows by the record that thS
lust and salutary rule has been the uniform practice
of the party from the very commencement OF Ma
,onsl Democratic Conventions. In 1872, the voice
of the Democracy was unanimous for the reelection
Of Gen. Jackson as President, but there was diver
sty Of opinion as 10 the Vice Presidency. Accord
ingly, upon the recommendation Ct the he'aoera"c
r,erIsrs oi The New Hampshire Legislature, Tie first
Democratic National COarenton was held at Ba-
more on the 2lst day of May, 1882, Gen. Robert Lu'
cas-, Of Ohio, presided and the Vice Presidens were
Peter V. Daniel, of Virginia, James Fenner, OF
Rhode Island, John NJ. Barkey, of Pennsylvania
and A. s. Clayton. Of Georgia; and the Secretaries
were John A. Dig, of New York, Stacy &. Potts Of
New Jersey, and Robert j. Ward Of Kentucky.
II was in this first National Convention, that the
famous tmo.irds rote, which has exercised such an
important influence upon the fortunes OF severa pro-
ninent statesmen, was adopted. 1t was reported 10
the Convention by the committee on rules, OF which
Hon. William X. King, of Alabama, elected Vice
President on the ticket with President Pierce in 1852
was chairman. motion to amend by substituting
a majority rule, voted down and the two-ihird'
rule, as reported, was adopted 1t reads as follows
"R.soved, That each State 20 entitled in the no.
mination to be made Of candidate tor the wee fre
sid.ucv to number of votes equal to the number to
which they will be entitled in the Electoral College,
under the usw apportonment, in voting tor fresden
| and Vice Presidel and that tro-thirds o1 the "hee
m"ber Of rotes IN The Conrenii0n stall pr necessary 10
| constitute CHOICE"
Tweusy-three States were represented in this Con-
vention On the first ballot for Vice President, Mr..
Van Buren received 208 votes, P. p. Barbour Of
Virginia, ~ votes, and r. NJ. Johnson, of Kentucky,
2h votes. Mr.. Van Buren having more than two.
thirds, was OF course nominated, and afterwards the
nomination was, by resolution, made unanimous.-
No formal nomination of Geu Jackson was made by
the Convention, but a resolution was adopted, re-
cognizing him as already the candidate, and "cor
daily concurrins in the repeated nominations which
he had received from various parts Of the Unou.'
Thus, says the Argus, WAS irsugurated q new party
organization, which os; it's SUCCESS on that OCCASION
has since not only hsea adhered to by the Democratic
marty, but copied by its opponents, with the e1cep
tou Of the time-honored and vital t@othsrd. ruto
which the Democracy will never abandon,) and which
b,. .,srsd. and continues to exert an important,
tn soy controlling, influence upon the fortunes Of pur
ties uud upon the POLITICAL cha7acterislcs o le coa
try Doubtless it has had its abuses ana e''s' ~nlcr
have sometimes caused it to be dsrded' out "hetne
suy better mode of concentrating the action OF thos'
who entertain congenial political views can % oe
vised, is at least problematica 1t is much easier
condemn the Convention system than to devise suo
stitute which will not be more Objectionable. Con
cert Of action, between those entertaining si'!as po
Itical opinions must be he'd, they look to carrying
thsp into practical effect In the administration Of tns
government, and whether this can be secured III any
other mode Of representation than that now adopted