The Washington times., 1912-06-29

tHls morning Dy Chairman oine Jdnles
that the deadlock would be broken be-
fore the afternoon had closed. Chair
man James added to this prediction his
conclusion that the convention would
complete its labors by 9 o'clock to-
night. Twelve fruitless ballots have
made the delegates restless and willing
to see a finish.
Abrogatiorl of the two-thirds rule was
suggested by Mr.. James as the prob
able means of overcoming the dead
lock. He said he felt he had the pow
er and that this power might be exer-
cised in order to bring about the nomi-
nation of the candidate having a ma
jority of the votes.
Chairman James did not say he would
abrogate the rule, but that he had the
power to do so at any time that a ma
jority and prepared to sustain him. He
asserted that II he wanted Ito ride
rough shod' he could at any time enter
tain a motion to abrogate the two
thirds rule and insist that it Is proper
to select the nominee by a bare ma
jority.
Champ Clark had such a majority on
three ballots cast early today.
Soon To End Work.
He predicted that the Vice Presiden-
tial nominee would be selected in twen-
ty minutes and the platform adopted
without contest after the Presidential
nomination.
1--WE should be through with every
thing by 9 o'clock tonight" Chairman
James said. ITO me there Is nothing
but Champ Clark in sight as the nomi-
nee, and he is leading at present on
that score alone, he is entitled to the
honor. l told Mr.. Hughes, Governor
Wilson's manager, that If Wilson got
the lead I would advocate that he be
made the candidate. Certainly the man
who is leading should get the two-thirds
proportion of the vote being cast.
There is historical precedent for this.
Only once in the political annals of
this country has the man who has been
leading in the ballotng in convention
for the Presidential nomination been de-
prived of that nomination, and that was
in the case, many years ago, of Martin
Van Buren, In the present instance
in the lead, Clark, will not win out.
IF I wanted to ride rough-shod 7
could at any time entertain a motion
to abrogate the two-thirds rule and in
sist that is it perfectly proper to Sc
Understand me, I am not saying that 1
will do such a thing 1 am merely point
ing out that 1t lies within my pro-
vince as chairman Of the convention to
"As to the remainder Of the pro-
gram We will select a Vice Presidential
there will probably be no fight over the
platform. By o'clock tonight the con-
vention will permanently adjourn
Hope To End 1t All Today.
I'VE shall sit continuously today from
the time Of meeting at l p. m. There
will be no recess, and while will not
hurry things along to the detriment of
anybody's cause / firmly believe that
everything will be over by this even
ing"
Boss" Murphy, of Tammany, was the
central figure. in the badly muddled
situation in Democratic politics today.
When the national convention, wearied
with twelve fruitless ballots for their
Presidential candidate, recessed at 305
this morning until l o'clock this after
noon, the action was on the demand Of
the Tammany leaders.
Murphy was up against 1t. His first
effort to assume the role Of a national
leader had resulted in a deadlock. 1t
was expected to force further pro-
tracted sessions, and may finally result
in a brand new deal so far as candi-
dates are concerned.
The New York leader has strictly op-
posed an ultra-progressive nominee for
the Presidency. He came here obsessed
by the idea that Bryan would try to
force himself on the convention. To
eliminate the Nebraskan Murphy
backed Judge Parker for the temporary
Craftsmanship. He won. Then came the
surprising Bryan appeal to the country.
The immediate and emphatic response
caused Murphy to back pedal He let
1t be known that no platform could be
constructed that would be too radical
for him. But on the question of candi-
dates he baked
Tammany swung into the Harmon
camp with the initial ballot. 1t was
known that 1t did not intend to remain
there. So the followers of the other
candidates got busy.
New York's ninety votes sound big
when dumped into the cart of the for
tunate candidate who could show
Murphy that he should be his choice.
Murphy Wants Underwood.
Underwood was, and still is, believed
along with Harmon to be the deep
attacks on the Alabama lawyer and
tionary despite the heated denials of his
hackers.
When the Champ Clark forces began
to bargain with Murphy they found him
most responsive. They had aided him
in the elimination of Bryan and they
pointed out to him that Bryan was on
record as favoring Clark, whom he had
labeled with the progressive stamp.
At lengthy conference at the Mary
land Club last night Murphy agreed Ia
support Clark. This fact was carefully
guarded. The Clark men formulated &
plan 10 swing the convention over as
soon as the vote was announced.
spontaneous demonstration to impress
the other delegates that II was all over
but the shouting was arranged when the
New York switch from Harmon tc
Clark came.
But the convention sweltered fcl
hours before Murphy finally "Cam'
through" The real reason was pc
culiarly applicable to the personality
Of the TammanY chi6ftain AS eaCf
ballot was taken during the swelterlnt
session. beginning at $3.50 last night
David L. Francis, Senator Stone. o.
some other Clark boomer would leave
their seat, pass along to Murphy. anc
beg him to get into the game. Ercf
time Murphy refused, and II was no
until the tenth ballot when the cloci
showed that II WAS well into SATURDAY.