The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1896-07-02

June 2l, 1892. ........ Chicago. Cleveland
July Z, 1895. Chicago .......
In the convention which nominated
Jackson and created the two-thirds
rule was made also the unit rule which
has been a rule Of every convention
since and which until 1880 was
rule Of Republican conventions as well.
Under this rule where state has given
instructions individual votes are of no
value except in the conferences of del
egation. The vote Of majority Of the
delegation controls the voto Of the entire
delegation. And this rule has resulted
more than once in the defeat of candi-
date who might have commanded the
individual support Of two-thirds of the
delegates to a convention.
The Unit Rule.
The first formal expression Of this
principle, which had been recognized
informally in prior conventions, was
had in the convention of 1S4S. 1t was
contained IN the following resolution:
Resolved. That In voting upon any question
which may arise in the proceedings of this
convention. the vote shall DO taken by states
at the request Of any ono state, each state to
be entitled to the number of votes to which
such state is entitled In the electoral college
without regard to the number II delegates In
attendance, the isanner in which said vote Is
TO be cast to be decided by the delegation of
each state for itself
But this rule was modified by the
convention of 1860 and the modification
has stood to this day. The amendment
(Which was in the form Of an additional
rule) provided:
That in any state. which has not provided or
directed by its state convention how its vote
may be given. the convention will recognize
| the right of each delegate TO cast his indi-
| vidual vote.
This is the form in which the unit rule
will likely be adopted by the convention
which meets III Chicago on the 18th Of
July 1t is more than likely that the
convention will adopt the rules of the
| last convention as "a whole, though pos
sibly not without some contest and a
sharp discussion.
Chicago Hotels.
One singular thing about national
conventions is the unexpectedness with
which ther assume importance or be-
come compa ratively commonplace. -Four
years ago It was predicted confidently
that the Republican convention at Min
neapolis would be uninteresting and
that the Democratic convention at Chi
cago would be exciting. The reverse
was true. The Republican convention
was one of the most exciting in the his
tory of the party and the convention OF
the Democrats was cut and dried. So 1t
WAS predicted six months ago that the
| Democratic convention this year would
be commonplace and the convention at
st. Louis, with its half dozen candi-
dates running on even terms, would be
exciting. Long before the Republican
convention assembled its work was cut
out for it, while the interest of the
whole country has centered for many
weeks in the convention at Chicago and
its candidate. The hotel keepers Of Chi.
cago will be the beneficiaries of this
condition Of affairs, for, where they
looked forward few months ago tC
vacant rooms during convention week,
they have now the prospect of over
crowded houses. Still the rates at tho
principal hotels have not been advanced,
and at the best Of them single rooms
with meals have been rented for 81
each Chicago has many hotels-toC
many for ordinary occasions. The big
houses which We're built for Worlds fail
business stand half empty during d
great part of the year, and one Of tho
Oldest and best of the big hotels Of Other
convention years-the Grand Pacific
has been closed! But the Palmer Hous(
Is still headquarters for many Of the
delegations, and the Auditorium hotel
with its big annex, will be crowded tC
the doors during convention week Ii
these two the largest crowds will gath
er, and the streets about them will b'
packed thick with hoarse, beribboned
red eyed men. Bands will stand be
meath their windows serenading stat
delegations, and clubs of men in Ions
skirted coats with canes in their hand
will tramp in and out Of their corridors
filing the air with shouts for thcir can
didates, There will be hospitality Of
liquid character at the headqurtor- o.