The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1912-06-27

OatOry Without Limit-A Distinct
Advantage to the Credit of Bryan
i'm the AbrOgatiOn of the Unit
Ruie-Bryan Declines the Chair
manship of the Platform Commit
tee-Reserves the Right to Sub
nit a Minority Report.
The defeat of William J. Bryan in
the National Democratic Convention
at Baltimore for temporary chair
man is traceable and due to the Op-
Grafton of the unit rule. This defeat
of Bryan has strengthened him in
the popular esteem. His contention
was for wei defined principle. He
had charged that Judge Parker is
the representative and the agent of
the protected and the privileged
interests" which he reiterated in
open convention and which Judge
Parker did not attempt to refute or
deny.
1t is scarcely believable that on
the call of the roll for temporary
chairman that one hundred and
ninety-four delegates from the
South voted for Judge Parker, who
is an old-line politician, a distinct
failure, but the ally of Murphy and
of Tammany and of Sullivan and of
Taggart and of others of this ilk of
politicians whose Democracy is cir
eumscribed to what is there in it
for me-"
If the unit rule had not prevailed
at the roll call for temporary chair
man Bryan would have over
whelmed Parker in a significant de
feat.
In the preliminary proceedings of
the convention Clark sought the aid
of Tammany and by coalition OBJ
tanned the ninety delegates from the
State of New York.
In this selfish spirit Clark through
his friends and representatives is
guilty of petty politics; besides he
is amenable to the charge of disloy
atty to Bryan, who has always been
his friend. 1t was the Clark follow
ers as we'll as the allies of Under
wood who elected Parker for tenn
porary chairman.
However, this advantage has been
only temporary. Instead of strength
ening himself Clark has played the
crafty hand which will encompass
his defeat. He will receive a flat
tering vote from his friends, but he
will never be the nominee Of the
Democracy for president.
The candidacy of Underwood is
not being viewed seriously, but with
the votes at his command he may
complicate the situation.
The friends of Harmon are some
what undesided and on the fence
awaiting for the one chance in d
million of their champion being
struck by the presidential lightning.
The key note sounded by Parker
was on the order of funeral blast.
1t is noted chiefly for an indulgence
in personal criticism of President
Taft and the radicalism of Roose-
welt. Tt is wanting in the thrills of
enthusiasm and in the emboldening
of men to action. 1t is not sugges-
tive of progressiveness, but is dull
and unattractive in its dealings with
things which are of the past, and If
of the future, are overwhelming in
their conservatism.
The temporary chairman, Sen
ator Ollie James of Kentusky, is OF
different calibre. He is friend OF
Champ Clark, but he is an upto-
date progressive.
The convention at their session
held last night accomplished feat
which is being approved throughout
the Nation by progressive Demo
Gratis. It was in a sense an Indirect
l. LIltlIflpli lol Id dH. by Noeo VI
555 i-2 against 495 t2. the unit rule
has been abrogated.
On this vote, as when the issue
was on the pro tenn chairmanship
the Wilson men were aligned fol
progressiyeness, and these mer
| joined by other progressives whit
had been held in check and abey
lance by the enforcement of this
rule.
! With the abrogation of this rule
There will be given each delegate
that freedom of expression and O
action which is essentially the basis
of Democracy. Besides, it will, as i
has already developed, an inereas'
of votes for Wilson.
OF the many peculiar and denmark
/ able Incidents. of the convention
may be cited the recognition o
/ Roger Sullivan delegate over Mayo
Harrison. This defeat of the Har
i rison- Hearst delegation who favore,
Il r1anl- IL affpih,lfad IN tho faippaS