Evening star., 1912-06-27
AGAINST UNIT RULE
Democratic Convention 0p
poses by a Large Majority.
STATE LAWS WILL GOVERN
Wilson Gains and Harmon Loses as
Result Of Vote.
FORMERS BOOM INCREASES
Session Last Night Carried on Until
Midnight-Report on Con-
tests Submitted.
STATE LAWS WILL GOVERN

BALTIMORE, Md, June 26-The pro-
gressives in the democratic national con-
vention claimed notable victory last
night when they carried a motion abro-
eating the rule by which some state dele
cations were bound to cast their votes as
q unit. The convention approved the
recommendation Of the rules committee
for nominating the presidential candidate
before adopting the platform
The fight for and against the unit rule
was Waged particularly about the state Of
Oh1o, where eighteen district delegates
had been instructed by primaries to vote
Tor woodrow Wilson, but where the state
convention. controlled by the Harmon
forces. had invoked the unit rule binding
all Ohio delegates to the Ohio governor. i
The convention. by a. vote. Of ,565h to
491. voted that no state delegation
should be bound by unit control except in
such cases where a state law was man
datory on the subject
Wilson supporters in the convention,
who earlier In the evening had carried on
demonstration lasting thirty-three min
utes. regarded the vote as distinctly
favonng their candidate. The Wilson
boom had been growing throughout the
day.
Wilson Gains, Harmon Loses.
Wilson gained and Harmon lost 1S
votes from the Ohio delegation as a re-
suit of the fight. 1t was said the abroga-
ton of the rule might lead to breaks in
other delegations, and this left the presi-
Dental nomination race in greater doubt
than ever.
New Yofk's solid block of 30 votes
were cast In favor of continuing the unit
rule amid Kisses and groans- Missouri,
the home state Of Champ Clark, split 20
to in favor of the unit rule. and this
result also was received with groans.
When Nebraska and Kansas voted solidly
for the abrogation Of the unit rule. there
were cheers from the Wilson forces.
Pennsylvania, a Wilson state, gave a big
majority for abrogation.
New York for Unit Rule.
There had been reports during the day
of a growing sentiment in the New York
DELEGATION in favor Of Gov. Wilson. The
delegation voted under the unit rule last
night in casting its ballot against the
proposition fostered by the New Jersey
governors supporters.
The fight over the unit rule carried the
evening session well along toward mid
night. The report from the committee
on credentials then was received. As
there was a minority report, requiring
discussion an adjournment was decided
upon until noon today.
Bryan Expresses Pleasure.
Mr.. Bryan. returning to his hotel to-
night from the committee on resolutions
where he had spent the evening, was
given big demonstration by the dele
gates gathered there. Several of his
friends warmly congratulated him on
the vote in the convention overturning
the unit rule Mr. Bryan said: Il was
not even ia theeconvention. but am very
much pleased. Of course, over the vote.
1 will not attempt to predict what the
effect will be on the nominating vote to-
morrow The convention has taken this
stand for the right principle. for do not
believe any convention has the right to
overrule a state law"