The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-05-14
THE TWO-THIRD RULE.

The origin of the wohird rule a usage of the demo
cratic party will be found to be given with care and
doubt not accuracy in the two following articles from the
Albany Alta and Argus;
The FIRST DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CoSyEsrIos-As the
time for holding another National the pur
pose of nominating democratic candidates for President
and Vice President approaches "reminiscences in
lation former conventions may be unineresng
the reader In 1882 the democratic sentiment sub
ssntialy unanimous in favor of the reelection Of General
Jackson lie received spontaneous nominations in every
part OF the country and no questioned that be
the choice Of the democracy Of the Union their cand
date for reelection Ii was not therefore, deemed
s to resort to any formal proceedings for the purpose Of
concentrating upon him. lie the candidate by accla-
nation. #.t
In respect TO the vice presidency however the public
voice not at first so distinct Several candidates
suggested, although the rejection OF Mr. Van Buren, min
iser England and the violent warfare wsged against
bin by the enemies OF the party led 10 the end 10 great
unanimy in his selection. As mode Of concentrating
the opinion and action of the democracy of the Union
upon q single candidate, the democratic members Of h.
legislature OF New Hampshire proposed convention Of
democratic delegates from the several States The propo
ston with and resulted in the assembage Of the
first Democratic National Contention Baltimore The
2lst day of May, 1899 Gen. Robert Lucas Of Ohio pre-
sided and the vice presidents Peter Daniel Of Vr
ginia James Fenne Of Rhode Island, John NJ Barley
Pennsylvania and A. s. Clayton Of Georgia and the sec.
rcaric, were John A. Dix Of New York. Stacy g. Potts Of
New Jersey, and Robert J. Ward Of Kentucky.
II In this first National Convention that the famous
hrord pot which has exercised such important iuu
upon the fortunes Of several prominent Statesmen
adopted II was reported to the convention by the
COMMITTEES on rules OF which Hon. VIM X King Of AlN
bama elected Vice President the ticket with Presden
Pierce In 1852 was chairman. A motion to amend by
substituting the majority rule voted down, and The
twoihrd rule reported was adopted IL read as follow
Resolpod That each State be entitled in the nomips.
ton to be made OF candidate for the vice presidency
number Of votes equal TO the number TO which they viii
be entitled in the electoral college under the appor
comment in voting for President and Vice President and
hut too thirds n NJ pAol number Of potes IN the coaUsHioa
shall be necessary 10 constitute a choice
Tyentytbree States were represented In this convention
On the first ballot for Vice President Mr. Van Buren, re-
ceved 2ss votes p r. Barbour Of Virginia 40 votes and
n. N. Johnson Of Kentucky, 20 votes. Mr. Van Buen,
having moro than twohrds Of course nominated, and
Afterwards the nomination was by resolution made unsBi
No formal nomination OF Gen. jackson was made
by the convention, but resolution was adopted reeog
nsing him already the candidate and CORDIALLY con
currng In the repeated nominations which he had received
from various parts Of the Union
Thus inaugurated party organization which
from It's that OCCASION has since not only been
adhered TO by the democratic party, but copied by It's oP
ponents and which has ererted and continues 10 exert 80
important not 10 say controlling influence upon the or
tunes Of parties and upon the political charactsrstco
the country. Doubtless IL has bad its abuses and evils
which have sometimes caused IL 10 he derded but whether
any better mode OF concentrating the action Of those w@
entertain congenia political views can be devised
probemaca Ii s mach easier TO condemn the con-
vouton system than TO devise substitute which viii mol
be more Objectionable Concert Of action between thoH
entertaining similar political opinions must be had II tbN
look carrying them into practical effect in the admin
traton Of the government; aF whether this can bee
cured In any other mode Of REPRESENTATION than that nov
adopted is question yet to be solved In the main, R
democratic party Ind 10 be satisfied With The eh
cheney and which the convention system has gvm
70 II and its principles and II will not hastily cut looe
from IT, until some equally efficient and less exception
able mode Of imparting concentration and point TO s en-
ergies be devised
I'VE shall take occasion 10 refer IN another article some
OF the characteristics OF subsequent National Conventions
The SECOND Dyrooauc HArrost CosyUuos-Ths,
democratic party placed it's candidates for the national
elections OF 1896 very early in the Geld The convention
select names for the presidency and vice presidency as
sembled at Baltimore Wednesday, May 90 1s35-abont
year and half prior 70 the election This The rst
representative body OF this description which bad assumed
the duty OF making presidential nomination and hence