The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1899-07-18

The Two-Thirds Rule in Democratic
National Conventions.
John +. Coyle, in the Washington,
d. C., Post writes thus entertainingly
on this subject. 1t seems that the
two-thirds rule was adopted at the
National Democratic Convention of
1914. But here Is what Mr. Coylo
writes
a recurrence to the action on that
question by the Democratic convcn-
tons from ,Sll to the present day
might be appropriate just now, ,as the
callow leaders of tho party arc evi-
dently uulearned in the political lore
taught by the founders of the great
Democratic party, some of whom
were alive and active at that early
day.
The most determined effort to re-
scind that rule Was made at the con
vention held in Baltimore in 1878.
New York had sent cOntesting dele
gates, as in 1914 The committee on
credentials had recommended the
seating of an equal number Of the
" Barnburners and " Hunkers,n
aud after an effort to rescind the two
thirds rule, the Barnburners Withdrew
from the convention. The debate on
that question occupied two days, and
the effort was defeated by decided
vote.
la May -, lSiS, the Democratic
Convention met at Baltimore, and
Andrew Stevenson presided over its
deliberations. The two-thirds rule
was again the bone of contention
G. G.. Csmbreing, Gov. Samuel j.
Tllden, and Preston King were the
leaders Of tho aruburners and Dan
iel S. Dickenson led the Hunkers.
Gov. Tllden, on the question of the
right of the Baruburners TO seats in
the convention, refused reference
to the committee on credentials, and
asked 10 be heard by the whole con
yeutlon. This was refused, and the
Barnburner5 declined the offer Of
seats with the Hunk rs.Mr Dickinson,
when he rose TO reply TO Gov. Tllden,
was interrupted repeatedly, and said
if those VINO interrupted him did not
like what be had to say they could
withdraw, which the Barnburners
did, refusing to take part in the pro
ceedlDgs, after denouncing the two
thirds rule as unjust and as depart
ure from the Democratic doctrine
laid down By Jefferson. Mr.. Dicken-
son cast the vote of the State for
Gen. Cass, who was nominated.
Since that day the two-third rule
has remained as q dogma of the
party, and its influence has never
been questioned as securing q csndi-
date acceptable to the Democratic
party Of the country.
The result of the Charleston Con
vention Of 1860 will hardly be quoted
as an example to be followed at this
day. The two conventions of that
day abrogated the two-thirds rule,
aud the resul, is too well known to
justify repetition of it, reproduce
brief account of those two unfortu-
nate conventions, for they are prob
ably forgotten by those whose yea
for renewal OF the contest over
defeated issue may lead to result
even more unfortunate than its pre-
cedent.
The Charleston Democratic Con-
venton met on the 23d of April 1850,
and was presided oyer by Caleb
Cushing. The fight in that eonven-
tion began as soon as organized. The
reports. majority and minority. from
the committee on resolutions we're so
radically opposed to each other that
they were recommitted in the hope
of some reconciliation, but on the
sixth day of the convention the same
reports came back. The South with
drew from the convention. Gen.
Cushing resigned the Presidency and
Mr.. Todd, of Ohio, took the chair,
and the balloting commenced, and on
the last ballot Judge Douglas, having
received 1917 votes, was, on motion
of Judge Sanford f Church declared
the nominee for President, and Her.
schsl V. Johnson, of Georgia, the
nominee for Vice President. a con
vention of those delegates who had
withdrawn from the convention at
Charleston met at Baltimore and
nominated John G.. Breckenridge for
President and Gen. Joseph Lane, of
Oregon, for Vice President. Mr..
Cushing presided over this conyen-
ton. la both these conventions the
two-thirds rule was sbrogated.
The conventions of 1852 and 1886
and every subsequent convention
have accepted the two-thlrds rule.
The convention Of 1872 adopted the
nomination of Mr.. Greeley, which had
been made by the convention OF Lib
ersl Republicans at Cincinnati, and
no question arose on the two-thirds
rule. In the convention of 1876, at
st. Louis, where Gov. Tilden was
nominated on the second ballot, Tam
many made a violent opposition to
the Governor, but they expended
their opposition in speeches at the
convention and supported the nomi-
nee most Loyalty.
500 Reward. 500.