Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-01-14
The Unit Rule.

We discussed the other day the merits
o. the two-thirds rule. which forms one OF
the rulss adopted by every Democratic
National Convention for its own govern
mept. That rule has become 30 popular
tor the reasons then assigned that 1t may
be safely predicted 1t will be one OF the
rules of the Democratic National Convcn-
tiou Of this year. To part with II would
eeem TO many OF the members of that con-
vention as IL they were parting forever
with an old and dearly -prized friend.
There is another of the rules usually II
not always adopted by Democratic nation
d conventions which has much influence
In determining results in each successive
convention. We allude TO the unit rule,
which Ii not rule requiring the delegs-
tom from each State to vote rs unit. but
. rule providing that II instructed by their
Democratic State Convention each delega-
ton shall decide for itself for whom its
vote shall be cast as unit. The National
Convention is governed by the wishes OF
the several delegations or rather by the
State conventions which instruct its
delegates to vote as q unit. This rule has
added immensely to the influence OF the
delegations which adopted 1t. New York
casts her seventy-two votes for SAMUEL ..
TnpES" was heard In the st. Louis Con-
vention of 1876 despite the fact that Jous
KELLY, heading the Tammany representa-
tives who numbered two hundred, we
think. was in that city working night and
day against the nomination of Mr.. TrLDEN.
There were anti-TupKy men in the New
York delegation, but the delegation itself
had been instructed to cast its vote as
unit. a. q majority of the delegation itself
might order 1t to be cast. 30 In 1880 at
Cincinnati New York again cast her
esyenty-two votes solid. Even Vir-
Cinia in casting her vote rs unit
exercises more influence with her twenty
Tour delegates than is exercised by some
other States casting the same number OF
votes divided among several aspirants to
the presidency. OF course the undivided
delegations also have more influence
than the divided ones in voting upon the
adoption OF rules for the government OF
the National Convention. In 1876, at st.
Louis, the Virginia delegation had some
trouble growing out of the proposition
that their vote should be cast as q unit tor
Mr.. Tnprs.
1t Is in New York, however, that the unit
rule has shown its workings most striking
". However large the minority of the
Observation-Disclosures anxious 10 vote for
favorite they are nevertheless ruthlessly
"turned down" by the rule of the ma
tional convention requiring each States
vote to be recorded aud counted as q ma
FORTY of that States instructed delegation
shall order. Mr.. CLEVELAND secured the
nomination for President in 1884 by the
cid Of this rule. II was then complained
Of 40 unfnir in its operation. Under the
eame rule, in the national convention OF
this year. the solid vote of New York Will
be cast for HILL, il he allows his name to
be used as an aspirant TO the Democratic
nomination for President. The rule
which secured Mr.. CLEvELANp's nomina-
ton in 1894 will thus defeat him OF nomi-
nation in 1892. unless indeed he shall prove
10 be so popular that he can secure the
nomination without the aid OF his own
State, as IL is not at all likely he will be able
10 do. The Charleston Nesrs and Courier
objects TO the unit rule that 1t
will enable the HILL men to de-
feat CLEVELAND of nomination. Bnt
objections will not avail much. The
friends Of Gil the dark horses--an innu-
nerabls host-.wiil support the unit rule
In the interest of their favorites. HILL
and CLEVELAND must fight out their battle
nader the operation Of the unit rule In O
word, tie New York delegation will cast
her seventy-two votes solid for Hull. The
rule will work against CLEVELAND in 1892
as il worked in his favor in 1884. Tam
many was overruled and defeated in the
former year. This gear the same rule may
work In the interest Of Tammsny.
II Virginia follows the precedonts set by
herself she will vote as aunt in the Demo-
cratic National Convention OF this year.
The rule il good one. Her delegation
generally receives round of applause in
Democratic national conventions when it
is announced that Virginia casts her
twenty-four votes for" so-and-so. The
rule not only adds to the influence of the
delegation, but 1t prevents fussy politi-
clans aud small-potato delegates from
"selling out" Let il be continued for this
reason il for no other. This reason alone
speaks more strongly for the rule in ques-
ton than any reason speaks against it.