The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1912-06-27

to hear Mr.. Bryan conclude a speech re-
fusing to serve as chairman. The Me-
braskao said he was not in sympathy
with the forces which appeared to be d.
recting the trend of political events in
the party and that he was not sure but
that he could not support the platform
to be presented by the committee. He de-
clared that unless the platform en-
braced his Ideas of true progress he would
submit a minority report to the cont
vention. He said also he would sake
no appointment which might emharrass
him In pursuing such a course.
Mr.. Bryan emphatieally denied the hon.
or his colleagues unanimously wanted TO
bestow upon him. Not content to aban-
don their harmony programme the COM
mittes turned the matter over to sena-
tor Rayner, O'Gorman and Culberson.
They held an earnest discussion with Mr..
Bryan in one corner of the room.
Their efforts we're fruitless Mr. Bryan
announced his position and. it was unal-
terable.
Election Unanimous
Senator Kern was turned to at once as
representing the progressive democracy
and there was no nomination opposition.
His election was unanimous. The COM
mittee then started hearings preliminary
to closing the door on the actual work
OF making the party platform.
As soon as the committee organized Mr..
Bryan moved that the presentation of the
platform be deferred until after the con-
vention had nominated a candidate for
President. Senator Rayner seconded the
proposition. He spoke at some length urg-
ing a progressive platform and particular
ly in reference to the tariff and direct
election of senator's on which planks
there was found to be a division of senti-
ment.
~ rf1la t1rr1tt tae
agreed to the plan to defer the presen-
tation of the platform until after the
party's candidate for President had
been nominated. In the absence of any
true gauge as to whether the conser-
vative or the progressive wing of the
party would dominate the convention.
it was considered good policy to hold
In allegiance the platform in order to
have 1t drawn so as to be acceptable to
the conventions nominee.
Another Important proposition passed
upon by the rules committee was the
recognition of the party of a state con-
vention to instruct delegates to the ma
tional convention In the unit rule, in
the absence of specific statute.
Recognize State Convention
Tho proposition of recognizing the
authority OF state convention arose
| because of the situation in the Ohio
delegates. The state convention had
instructed the Ohio delegation by a
Governor Harmon. Ninteen members
of the Ohio delegation, however
claimed the right to violate those in
structions because they had been
elected as avowed Wilson men in theiI
respective districts, and wished to vote
for him.
| This contention was opposed by the
other % Harmon delegates. who held
that the ballots In the presidential
primary give Harmon "A majority OF
| 10000 over Governor Wilson the in
structions OF the state convention to
vote as a unit for Governor Harmon for
President should be enforced
| A substitute resolution against con-
vention authority was offered by J. j
| Dunn of Nebraska. 1t was defeated by
| 22 to To-
The rules committee completed Its
work by directing that a committee
composed of the chairman, Representa-
! tive Covington of Maryland, Secretary
A. T.. Hill OF Oklahoma and Represen-
tative Henry OF Texas should make the
report to the convention.
| Mr.. Henry will present the minority
| report.
The Montana committeeman, Ed
BALDWIN, offered suggestion that
hereafter a majority of the national
convention instead OF two thirds should
be required to nominate the President.
Chairman Covington ruled that 1t was
out of order, and should properly be
acted upon by the resolutions commit
| tee.
| A similar ruling was made on a reso-
luton offered by Secretary Hill, pro-
viding that at all future national con-
ventions the temporary officers of the
convention should be selected by the
members of the national committee
chosen by the respective states. By
convention or otherwise, last proceed
ing the meeting of the national conven-
ton. The committee then adjourned.