The herald., 1896-07-05

entitled to in the electoral college under
the new apportionment in voting for
president and vice-president, and that
two-thirds Of the whole number of votes
stitute a choice"
This rule has repeatedly been referred
to as an invention by which the minority
was enabled to control and defeat the
majority. Several times 1t has defeated
the popular choice for the nomination,
the minority using 1t as lever to force
the selection of q compromise candidate.
In this first convention Van Buren, re-
ceived 208 votes, while P. P. Barbour re-
ceived 49 and Richard M. Johnson 26.
Thus Van Buren's chances were not af-
fected by the two thirds rule.
At subsequent conventions many ef-
forts were made to smash this two-thirds
rule, and if some of the silver leaders are
to be believed similar effort will be
made at Chicago lolless the white metal
men are numerous enough to overcome
the barrier raised by the rule. The Sec
ond national convention of the Demo-
cratic party was held nearly year and
half prior to the presidential election
OF 1886, 1t being convened at Baltimore,
May 20, 1885, when the new convention
system was extended in its scope to en-
brace nominations for the presidency,
as well as the ce-presidency. The two-
thirds rule was again reported to the
by Mr.. Saunders of North Carolina, the
author of herule He urged in its sup
port that the effect of it's adoption
would be to render the nominations
more imposing, would produce harmony
ana avoid embarrassments.
Mr.. Allen of Massachusetts in oppos-
ing the rule, contended that it was a
fundamental principle of our govern,
ment that majority should govern. He
also suggested the Inconvenience and
delay which might result in the effort
to secure two-thirds majority. Mr..
saunders in replying to the objection
or inconvenience. .and delay said that If
the difficulty contemplated should arise.
1t would be competent for the convention
at any time by a vote of the majority
TO change or set aside the rule.
This latter statement of Mr. Saun-
ders will doubtless be used by the sill
veriteS as a wedge to- open the two
thirds rule question, and If it is left to
a majority of the delegates at the con-
vention there will be no trouble in set
ting it aside.
SET ASIDE FOR DAY.
AT this second convention of the party
the delegates voted on the two-thirds
RUE, ana vote of 231 against 210 de-
cided to set 1t aside and select a pres
1dentlal nominee by the simple rule of
a majority. The next day, however, bo-
fore the balloting commenced, the two
thirds rule was readopted, and Van
Buren, was nominated for the presi-
dency and Richard M. johnson for Sec
ond place on the ticket. Van Buren, was
the unanimous choice, but there was a
bitter fight over the vice-presidency,
johnson receiving only four votes above
the required thirds.
Van Buren was again: the unanimous
choice OF the convention of 1910 in Balti-
more, but the fight for the vice-presi-
denty was again so fierce that after
much wrangling the convention decided
not to put candidate in the field. This
proved to be suicidal policy, Harrison
and Tyler. the Whig candidates. being
elected with ease.
The deadly power of the two-thirds
rule was demonstrated in the conven-
ton of 1874, again held at Baltimore.
B. F. Butler Of New York, in vigorous