The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-03-02
TmE TWo.TmInps RrLE.
Interviews Win Prominent Henile'
men on the subject what They
Tbipk 81 II ana the AdminisirR'
ienf,f Goyernor Roberts

gentlemen on the lwo-lhrds m and some
other points, which will appear In the cour'c
Of the interviews, intending IN publish them
Sunday morning, Tho two'thlrls rule Ques'
Il one Of much importance right NJ lhit
Iuncture, rs tho State convention which meet
IN April npn must pass upon Il, 50 far ~
Texas Il concerned for Ii lnal md pcrma
nenl adjudication aud settlement by the Dem
oeralio National convention which meets II
June nOAt, TINT several gentlemen dcslr, q
time 10 consider Of II and insisted for 1
postpononent of tho interviews until Mon
day, yesterday, to which tho reporter lad
10 consent md hence their appearance thit
morning instead ofsundny
The frat gentleman approached, wos Tho
chairman Of tho Democratic Executive com
mlttec,
COLONEL Rp, q, nowER,
In answer 10 the question
What arc your views rs to the tWo-third,
rulol Should II be- abrognted In State aud
National conventions, or noty
Colonel Bower snid In substance, our repor.
tor taking notes; unhrsltNingly pro-
nounce In layor ofthe two thirds rul' in Nh
tlonn conventions, do 80 because | con-
slider II safeguard and bulwark for the
South. Tho strength Of the South In DEM
ocratc National conventions Is such under
tho two,thirls rule that It can
tho Northern States from
forcing upon tho Southern States nm
candidate For instance, sup.
pose tho majority rule obtained aud tho dele.
gates from tho Northern States were to shy
Mr. Benjamin II, Butler. Of Massachusetts,
was originally II Democrat He Is not now u
r publican, and no can rally TO his banner
NIL tho GrecnbNckcw and disallected Demo-
Gratis md Republicans, and therefore we
think no Is the most available man we can
and we shall vote for him. There
could not possibly be more distaslelul man
to the Southern Democracy and II
would be II bitter pill TO have
him rOmmcd down our throats,
by majority rule. mention General But
Ter simply to illustrate my idea Of the great
objection TO the two-thrds rule being ubro-
gated in national conventions. am also in
favor Of It's obtaining and remaining intact
IN precinct, county and state conventions, |
favor II because these conventions are two
often packed by the oycr-2ealouS friends of
some candidate who Is not the choice of the
majority of the party. 1t is much easier to
control influence and persuade a bare ma
iorty of convention than two
thirds of It's members. 1t is much
nnsier in the packing process when it Is in
dulgcd in 10 secure bare majority of the
delegates in the packers interest than II is to
secure two.third majority. We have but
to look ut the recent Pennsylvania and New
York conventions. There the majority rule
was in force. and we see thut by pipe-layng
md wirc-pull ng shrewd machine managers
secured delegations pledged to support Gen
nral Grant ut the Chicago convention, and in
the face Of the expressed will Of tho Repub-
lican party Of those States.
TIE next gentleman found was
HON. Il. Il. BuRRE,
County Judge. Our reporter without many
captured the Judge and took
him by storm,
Reporter--What are your views ms to the
thirds ruler Should il be abrogated in State
and National convention or not!
Judge Burke-I am uncompromisinglv
opposed to the rule and think IL should be
abolished at once. consider il ms in conflict
with the principles of the Democratic party,
with that great fundamental principle of a
Republican form Of government that ma
ority shall rule 1t was established merely
rs an eXpediency to accomplish u
certain end and was never regarded
rs principle. II has ever defeated the will
If the people, for in all contests for position
Vt the hands Of the Democratic party, there
ire two, and sometimes more. prominent
gentlemen whose friends rally to their sup.
port, whose claims are laid before the people
md in favor Of one of whom they invariably
make up their minds. The delegates to a
State or National convention coming fresh
from the people, and knowing what the will
If thor constituents are should then express
hat will, and, by majority vote,
and not defeat both gentlemen who stood
highest in the estimation of the people with
A dark horse by an arbitrary, unjust rule.
What do the people know of the dark horses
.wo-thirds of the time!
Reporter-What effect in your opinion
NO Id the abrogation of the rule by the next
State convention have as to the nomination
Of Governor .. NJ. Roberts:
Judge Burke hardly know how to an
,wer this question explicitly. 1t is possible
it may lead to his denomination, but am
never in favor of sacrificing principle for
mere expediency. No matter who may be
dominated for IN Office under majority rule.
he will very apt TO be the choice
If the people, and the will of the people is
supreme according 10 my comprehension of
Democracy and the genius Of n Republican
orm of government.
Reporter What are your views as to the
policy of Governor Roberts and his admins
ration generally.
Judge Burke--Governor Roberts policy
mas seemed to be more theoretical than
practical. 1t has been the policy of the
Democratic policy of Texas, ever since she
was a State. to support as literally MS the
State was able, y system Of public free
schools. The policy is II good one
md do not see why
INV administration should run counter to
t. The administration Of the Governor
seems to me to be very popular with the
people at large judging from the tone of the
rather incline to the opinion
hat if the State convention was held shortly
Governor Roberts could be renominated.
The history of several points in his admins
ration viii no doubt be made plain in the
course OF month or so, and it is probable
hat then they will not look so plausible or
,nticing.
BARNETT GIBBS, ESQ.
The next gentleman found by our reporter
vas Mr. Barnett Gibbs, City attorney. In