The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1880-08-26
The fTwoIThirds Rule.

A brief history of the two thirds
rule may be Of some interest. It was
first adopted in 1882 at the convention
in Baltimore held to nominate candi-
date for Vice President. Gen. Jackson
had already been put in nomination fer
President, not by a National Conven-
ton of delegates, but by the Demo
Gratis of State Legislatures. With re-
spect to him the sentiment Of the
party was confessedly so strong that no
convention was deemed necessary.
But there was diversity of opinion as
to the Vice Presidency, and New Hamp-
shire had the honor to lead off for
solving the difficulty by propo-
sition for national convention,
author of the rule was Romulus M.
Saunders, of North Carolina, on whose
motion the following resolution was
adopted: .t' Resolved. That each State
be entitled in the nomination to be
made of candidate for the Vice Pfesi-
dency to number of votes equal to the
number that they will be entitled to in
j Electoral Colleges under the new APP
portionment in voting for President
and Vice President, and that two thirds
of the whole number of votes in the
convention shall be necessary to con-
situte choice Mr.. Van Buren, re-
ceived the nomination under this rule.
In 1885, at the National Convention,
held at Baltimore, he received a
unanimous nomination for the Presi-
dency, and was elected. In 1910 he
was again nominated, but was de-
feated at the polls by Gen. Harrison.
In 1874 the friends of Mr.. Van Buren,
again urged his nomination, but there
was serious opposition to it. Mr..
Saunders was present, and, at his in
stance, the convention adopted the two
thirds rule by vote of 148 to 118. On
the first ballot Van Buren, received LAG
votes, majority, but he was unable to
obtain the requisite two thirds. His
repeal the rule. The result was his de-
feat, and the nomination Of Mr.. Polk,
which. on the ninth ballot. was made
unanimous. At the Baltimore Conven-
ton of 1848 this rule was again adopted,
and Mr.. Glass; received the nomination
under it. In 1862 Mr.. Pierce was nomi-
mated under the same rule. In 1856, at
Cincinnati, Mr.. Buchanan received the
nomination in like manner. In 1850
the Charleston Convention adopted the
same rule. FIfty-seven ballotings were
had and no choice was effected. Mr..
Douglas received 1911 votes, 2O2 being
requisite for q choice. The conveRtieH
divided, and subsequently Mr.. Douglas
was nominated by one branch and Mr..
Breckenridge by the other. In 1854, al
Chicago, Gen. McClellan received 2O2l,
the remaining 283 being for Mr.. Sey!
mour, of Connecticut. In 1868
at New York, Mr.. Seymour
of that State, received 317 or
the twenty-second ballot, 212 being nee
essary for choice. At Baltimore, II
1872, Mr.. Greeley received 6S6 out o.
1872. At st. Louis, in 1876, 492 was the
number requisite for choice, and or
the second ballot Mr.. Tilden received
525 on roll call, and his nomination
was then made unanimous. At this con
vention, on motion of Mr.. Webber, O
Michigan, the States were requested tx
instruct their delegates to the next con
vention, whether it be desirable to con
tinue the two-thirds rule now in force
and that the request should be inserted
in the call as has been done. The usua
practice had been to agree upon thu
rules at the opening Of the convention
This was done at st. Louis, on motion
of Judge Abbott. '-Bosto1e Post