The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-06-27

ed the a!sles and secured order, while
Dir Grouse began the prayer.
Representative Covington. of Mary
la No. chairman of the committee on
rules, "as recognized to present the
committees report. The report. as
read by Mr.. Covington. would place
the nominations for President and
ice-President on the program of the
convention Immediately after the re-
port OF the committee OF credentials
and before the adoption OF the plat
form.
This IS contrary to tho usual Gus
TOM" said Mr.. Covington "Eut while
the committee on rules was in session
to-day three distinguished members of
tHe committee on resolutions-Sena-
tor Rayner, Governor Nardaman and
another distinguished member OF the
committee on resolutions-came into
our conference. They informed the
rules committee that the resolutions
committee. BY q vote of Al 10 II. had
determined that the exigencies OF the
present Democratic situation made 1t
wise to have this convention proceed
to the nominations before the adop-
ton of the platform In recognition
OF the distinguished members of the
resolutions committee the committee
on rules has embodied II in tho report
OF the rules committee.
Il now move the adoption OF that
report"
HIS No Opposition.
The report. much to the surprise OF
BY a viva voce vote, without opposi-
ton.
MIR. Cov!ngton then presented the
majority supplemental report OF the
rules committee, making the unit
rule rule Of the convention.
AS reported the rule would make a
unit instruction by State convention
binding on delegation II majority
of the delegation favored any par
ticular candidate. Representative
Henry. OF Texas presented minority
report which would except from the
operation of this rule such delegations
as are elected under State primary
rules by congressional districts.
After ho,h reports had been pre-
sented Chairman Covington opened the
debate in favor OF the majority report
He argued that as the two thirds rule
was true Jenersonian Democratic doc
tr!ne, and as without the unit rule
the two-thirds rule would not be prac-
ticao!e, the convention should maintain
the unit rule. despite the popular pri-
mary in congressional districts. Mr..
CovinStons argument was greeted by
scattered applause.
Representative Henry said that TIE
minority report would In no way in
tertere with the operation of the unit
rule as II has obtained heretofore.
Where delegates were elected as here
tolore by State convention. Mr. Henry
said, the old unit rule would still OBJ
tain. But in cases where primary
laws provided for the election OF dele
gates by direct vote. he held, the pco-
pie should be allowed TO express their
preference. He cited the primary law
of Illinois and Ohio. The DELEGATIONS
from both OF these States are in dis
pute.
Let this convention make no mis-
take to crafty the whims of any man."
concluded Mr.. Henry. This is no time
Tor the Democratic party to bIunder
Let us say to the States, Go on with
your presidential preference primaries;
write these primary laws upon the
statute books of every state That is
the stand We should take for progress
sive principles"
John w. Peck. Of Ohio. ives given
twenty minutes of time to support the
majority report. He said that Ohlo
was the State most closely affected by
the rule
| 1t is proposed by thig minority re-
| port" he said, TO take away from
Ohio the right it has always been ac-
corded to unified action IN the national
convention.
Wilson Demonstration.
A few moments later Peck referred
to Governor Wilson. Of New jersey
and the name started q demonstration
''Rhis. he said. "'s the position
taken b. the great progressive Cover
nor of New Jersey-and the storm
broke.
| The New Jersey delegation began
the uproar. a dozen pictures OF vii.
son appeared and were scattered
| through the hall. Senator John Sharu
Williams. of Mississippi. who was on