The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1880-02-27
TIE 7WO-THIRDS RULE.
How 1t Works in Making Non
nations.
It's Continuance Party Necessity
This Year.
Nnv ORLEANS. February H. 1ss0-

To the Editor Of tho Democrat:
Tho first National Democratic Convention OF
which Cnn obtain accurate Information AsAw
hold at Baltimore In May. 1897, to nominaaA, o
Vlco President. thers being no opposition In
the party to Con. Jeekson for second term -
President: but Mr.. Calhoun WINS not 30 neeept-
able To tho party and besides hnd twice. besn
elected TO tho Vice Presidency. and res lsnetD
Just before tho end OF hie second torn. Tho au-
thority relied upon In connection with the con-
vention Of 1887 says: Mr.. Van Buren, received
more than two-thlrds Of all tho votes oast and
was declared tho nominee" But It is not .nti-
mated that two thirds Of tho votes were neoes--
| aAry.
In May. 1895. National Democratic OonyeYp-
tion was held nj Baltimore. composed Of 7SB
des gates from twenty one States. On the first
ballot Mr.. Van Buren, Was nominated By O.
unanimous vote. A rule was prsyiouslx
adopted requiring two-thirds OF NIL tho votes top
mako a nomination or to decide any question
connected therewth.
At tho National Democratic Orn vsntIon held
Mt Baltimore May O. lblo. Mr.. Van Buren, was
unanimously nominated for re-election: but IL
does not appear that Il wo-thirds vote WAS re-
1uisie
The National Democratic Convention Of 1874
met nj Baltimore May n. and adopted the two
thirds rule. Elk President Van Buren, was q
prominent candidate Tor the nomination that
year. but his letter on tho question OF Texas
annex alton threw strong Southern influence
against him: and although he received q ma
io1t Of tho convention. he could not be noml-
mated and. after u stormy eess.on OF three
days. Mr. Polk reoeiveed tho reanlsste two. thirds
vote and waa declared the nominee.
In 1sAs MAY 4al the National Democratic Con-
thirds rule WINS adopted. On the fourth ballot
Gen. Cass WIS nominated
Tho National Democratic Convention Of 1851
met ut Baltimore June !, and tho twO-thirda
rule wa. adopted. On. tho forty ninth ballot
Gen. Pierce was nominated. Con. Oaas, Mr..
Dickinson each received heavy votes. 9 .ss on
one or more occasions, recelynK a muiority:
Con. Pierce had been declared the favorite of
his own State New Hampshirel but was scarce
" mentioned esewhere. and his nomination
took the party BY sgrprlse La reaching nom.
Presldents)1e led off. and only few ballots we're
taken thereafter before Con. Pierce was de-
elared tho nominee.
Of mee!ing OF tho National Democratic Oonven-
ton Of 1856 There - no No msntinn e 2, q tho two
nS an sRx ne bao was
April %. 1850, the National Democratic Con-
yeniion met at Charleston &c. No reference
relied upon. Full delegations were present
from. every State, but owing to dissens!ons
growing on, Of tho slavery question. after flfty-
jonrned to meet at Baltimore. June IL. Here
Mr. Douglas was nomlnated by one Wing Of the
party. Mr.. Brock inredRe was nominated By
| tho other wing Of tho Democracy.
Chicago was tho place and August 40 the dat9
Of meeting In 1864 OF the National Democratic
Convention whicn nominated Gen. Mcclellan.
but II does not appear that the two thirds rule
was adopted
In 1863 tho national convention met In New
York city JuiY4 ana nominated OK Gov Bey-
mour. but II 10 not OF record that the two thirds
rule was adopted.
Tho National Dom Convention met at
Baltimore July .. 1879. and. whether or not the
two-thirds rnle was adopted. on the first ballot
tho convention nominated Mr.. Greeley. who
received 6s6 Of tho 724 votes In the convention.
Ht. Louis WAS the place and June n the time
OF meeting OF the National Democratic Com
vention Of 1875. On tho second ballot Mr.. TIL
den received moro than twO-thirds OF the votes.
but 1t does not appear that two thirds vote
WIS necessary.
National Democratic conventions have been
held and nominees have received a two. thirds
vote or majority vote as follows: