The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-07-02
PESkY TNO-TH|RDS RULE.
ALTGELD'S DELEGATION UNANI-
MOUSLY DECIDE TO VOTE
TO ABROGATE IT.
.A CONFERENCE OF SILVER LEADERS
They Are Determined to Capture the
Temporary Organization-Go
Hogg Spoken of for Temporary
Chairman-Other Notes.

CATION to the national Democratic CON
ventlon voted unanimously today to sup
port i'll convention Il resolution for the
abrogation of the rule requiring presi-
Dental candidates 20 receive the votes
of two-thirds of the convention To in
sure nomination. The proposition was
supported in an earnest speech by Gov
ernor Altgeld. The governor declared
that the two-thrds rule had been curse
to Democracy ever since it came into
existence. Its principal effect was, he
said, to enable the minority to dictate
the nominations to be made by the party.
Furthermore the rule was undemocratic.
as the Democratic party was prc-emin-
emily party. of majority control. He
declared, also, that the abrogaton of the
rule at this time was the key to the
situation. With the RUE in existence
| the party might be at the mercy of the
gold forces; with ii wiped out there
would be no possible question of the su-
premacy of the silver forces in the ap-
proaching convention.
The speech was received with many
demonstrations of approval and after
several others had spoken, The motion
prevailed without division.
The delegation also discussed at some
length suggestions offered by eX-Con-
| gresham Williams that the delegation
express Il preference for presidential can.
didates.
Mr.. Willis made II speech in support
of this proposition and was supported
by y. ii. Bell, who was temporary chair
man of the Peoria convention. The
temper of the delegation was, however,
so evidently opposed to action ON this
subject that Mr.. Williams withdrew his
proposition
Mr.. Williams is district delegate and
instructed for Bland. The delegation
expressed itself rs favorable to taking
| the steps necessary to secure n silver
man for temporary chairman vf the CON
yention regardless Of the choice of the
national committee if that choice should
fall upon gold advocate, but expressed
no preference as to aspirants for that
position.
Governor Altgeld was elected chair,
man of the delegation, G.. w. Bliss of
Hillsboro, secretary, and Col. IIeifcrnar
| OF Bloomington, Scrgcant-at-armS. The
delegation adjourned to meet again next
Saturday ut | p. IN.
The fact that the Illinois delegation
today postponed its decision as to what
candidate it would support in the con
ycntion has created as much comment
us the decision which the delegation
reached looking to the abrogation of the
two-thirds rule The only explanation
made is that it was considered desirable
to look the field over more completely
than has yet been possible for taking d
position. 1t is intimated, however, thai
Governor Altgcld, who is in complete
control of the delegation, has plans OF
his own which are not yet sufficiently
matured to be sprung. Those who hav,
talked with him say that he is especial,
concerned to secure n candidate on the
national ticket who will add strength tt
the Democracy in Illinois.
EX-COngressman Williams who mad,
the suggestion that the delegations
should indicate its preference, said thai
he had introduced the subject becaus,
he believed that if the Illinois delegation
would take u position at this time il
could practically name the candidate be
cause of the influence it would have upol
the other doubtful delegations.
81 shall renew the suggestion at on
meeting to be held Sunday" he said
"and hope it many not then be too lat,
for the state to make its influence felt
but the sooner we act the stronger w
shall be-"
Mr.. Williams said also that the Dem
ocrats of Southern Illinois were practi
cally unit for Bland and expressed tn,
opinion that Bland could carry the stat,
on free coinage platform.