The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-02-05

voting of the Iowa delegation. Since 1872
it had been the practice to allow the
chairman OF the delegation to cast the
vote of the state, assuming as the chair
man of the convention ruled in 1884. that
/ 1.-The announcement made by the chair
man (of the delegation) prima facie is the
vote prima facie." In 1896 the discussion
was over the substitution of the name o.
temporary chairman. In this case the
]. w. Daniel for that of David e. Hill %
chairman OF the convention decided that
the delegation should vote as d unit when
under instructions; otherwise the men,
beers should vote separately. This was
az Teturn to the close construction of the
rule which obtained in 1860. For obvious
reason no dispute arose over the manner
of voting for the presidential candidate.
at least in 1900 The action of the St
Louis convention in deciding upon the
Interpretation OF the unit rule will be an
important factor in determining the
choice OF a candidate. II a majority Of
delegates from a single state are allowed
to force dissenting members TO their will
it may as we'll be admitted once for ALL
that Bryan and no one else will dictate
the choice. Even If the rule of 1886 be
adopted. it is likely that he viii be able
to secure favorable instructions from
enough state conventions to assure his
position.
BY the terms of the call for the con-
vention allowing the states two dele
gates for each member of the house Of
representatives and senate and six each
to the territories. Alaska the Indian Ter
ritory and the District of Columbia, the
convention will be made up Of 9SS dele
gates. By the two-thirds rule $50 are
necessary to a choice; if any man or or
ganization within the party can control
more than $50 votes he can block the ac
ton of the convention and force conces-
sions even from a strong majority.
Can Bryan DO this? in order 10 answer
this it is necessary TO resort TO deduc-
tons from present indications in the vari-
Gus states. His nomination by acclams-
ton in the Kansas City convention leaves
no basis of comparison in recent years.
and the stampede that forced him 10 the
front in the Chicago convention in 1895
puts that out OF consideration as a stan
dard of SOBER feeling today. 4 conserva-
tive estimate based on surface indica-
items would give Bryan the control OF the
states west of the Mississippi river, with
the possible exception OF California. This
assures him c9o votes at the outset, as
Stunning that Alaska and Hawaii are
doubtful i is quite likely that these
two sections will give him twelve more
but there are no indications at present
on which TO base q presumption either
way. This leaves forty votes yet TO be
before he can count the one
third which he must slightly exceed ia
order TO hold up the convention.
Turning TO the south. where there has
t. be a gradual waning Of the
Bryan sentiment in the last four years.
It would seem 10 be safe 70 sive him the
votes Of Alabama. which would eat down
the margin 70 eighteen. take away from
this the votes Of Mississippi which are
quite as likely TO be cast for Bryan OF
Bryans choice as those Of Alabama. and
the shortage Of eighteen Is turned into
a surplus OF two. giving him the control
OF the situation by a narrow margin. But
it Il likely that this hold will be still
further increased by the votes Of Wis-
by those of Illinois. with fny-four Law
ing the latter state cut Of the question
b. reason Of the uncertainty IS 20 the
action q the Chicago machine OF the ex-
tent 70 which Carter Harrison or some
unknown man may figure a. a faroTste
son. Il appears that Il none Of the states
enumerated deserts the former leader he
all be allie % muster a least IS votes
"a the convention as the nucleus Tor any
campaign thst be uSsv desire 70 direct
Out Ct the twenty-one state. conceded %
hi- IN his forecast ten gave him rfu-
rality II the popular vote q l'ss ranging
from ls.7sl IL the case of Texas 10 2.zls
Ia Idaho
Much. Therefore. 5epes5s upon the ac-
,lou OF the convection Ehen TIRE tine
rorne9 for adopting ne report - the con- T
rnistee CT rules u the ruling followed
IN Isss is usea. as e. Hkesy 20 - tie esss.
since each convention adepts the rules
that governed tn 1rsc@siaE ore unless
something arises 70 make a Change asces- +
sary q expesieHf. ;he state coavsati9-s F
sil b. the battle grounds on whsch tae
strength q the olS leader vlI 80 Pat -
he test Even wsth IN Un41sfructsd +.
selegat5o- and se-re anti- Bryan rnes7tsrz .
il does not necesssTily follow that re
snlt r-.e ~fi - cis-ar1s6- p NAY =
Is co--eidereE as ioEzi ard n~cessarT
-a-oglarT . pc two-ihlf3s Frlie. e order
- prevent fae IosE c1zleE- az4 corzFe-
lusnt b5-;evusss shat right sas2s Z sach .
seseEzte zere iefi free 70 so-leE BIS o~s
,ozrse z al TIE states coseeSed 20 1
Bryzn adopt TIE siri, rsls rs task Siii b 4
snpii1sd- Instead q being compelled 20