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

House rules committee, and Represents
tive covington of Maryland spent some
time in conference. They frequently con-
suited a book of parliamentary law and
evidently were bordering over an impend.
ing parliamentary situation.
The Opening Prayer
At 1872 Chairman Parker dropped his
gavel, the sergeant at arms cleared the
aisles and secured order while the Rev
Mr.. Grouse began the prayer
Almighty and Eternal God. King OF
Kings and Lord of Lords, who dost from
Thy heavenly throne behold and govern
all the peoples and nations of this earth,
with humble alteration and grateful
thanksgiving we present ourselves before
Thy throne of grace.
"Mercifully regard us and inspire and
cleanse our thoughts by the inspiration
of the Holy Spirit.
we at this time especially adore Thee
as the God in whom our fathers trusted
as the God whose holy and protecting
arm hast preserved and guided the peo-
pie of this republic through many and
great perils, hast distinguished them by
unnumbered blessings and given them a
great name among tie nations of the
earth.
Grant to continue to our country Thy
holy care and merciful protection; be
Thou our shield and puckler and so d.
rect and overrule all the deliberations
and counsels of this great convention
that the cause of human rights and hap
piness may be furthered and the kingdom
of truth, equity and righteousness may
be Established. May these, Thy servants.
be preserved from selfshness, diseord
La
animated by true patriotism and serve
Thee by best serving the millions of peo-
pie whom they represent Give clear
vision, lofty purpose and steadfast cour-
age to each delegate here assembled and
when the decisions of this convention are
reached may we all have reason to re-
joice in Thy favor and guiding provi-
dence.
Thou Fountain of all Wisdom, who
knowest our necessities before we ask.
and our ignorance in asking. We be-
seach Thee to have compassion upon our
infrmities and answer us not according
to our merit or the worthiness Of our po-
sition but according to the fullness of
Thy wisdom and grace. in Christ Jesus,
our Lord and Savior. Amen"
Submits Rules Report
Immediately after the prayer Repre-
sentative Covington of Maryland, chair
man of the committee on rules. presented
the committees report.
The report as read by Mr.. Covington
would place the nomination for President
and Vice President on the programme of
the convention Immediately after the re-
port of the committee on credentials and
before the adoption of the platform.
This is contrary to the usual custom. ="
said Mr.. Covington, but while the COM
distinguished members of the committee
on resolutions, Senator Raynor, Governor
Vardaman and another distinguished
member of the resolution committee came
into our conference. They informed the
rules committee that the resolutions COM
mittee, by a vote of II to IL, had de-
termined that the exigencies of the pres
emit democratic situation made it wise to
have this convention proceed to the NOM
nation before the adoption of the plat
FORM In recognition of the distinguished
members of the resolutions committee.
the committee on rules has embodied it
In the report of the rules committee. I
now move the adoption of that report"
The report, much to the surprise of the
convention generally, was adopted by a
viva voce vote without opposition.
Mr.. Covipgton then presented the ma
jority supplemental report of the rules
CO1lIi11tlct iDdkiilB llo Unit Iult d Iulc
of the convention. AS reported the rule
would make unit instruction by state
convention binding on a delegation II
a majority of the delegation favored any
particular candidate. Representative
Henry of Texas presented minority re-
port which would except from the opera
tons of this rule such delegations as are
elected under state primary rules by con-
gressional districts.
Debates Majority Report
After both reports had been presented
Chairman Covington opened the debate in
favor of the majority report. He argued
that as the two-thirds rule was true JEFF
fersonian democratic doctrine as without
the unit rule the two-thirds rule would
not be practicable, the convention should
maintain the unit rule despite the popular
primary in congressional districts.
While Mr.. Covington was speaking the
thunderstorm which had been threaten
ing all evening broke. A heavy downpour
of rain clattered noisily on the roof of the
big armory
Mr. Covington's argument was brief and
its conclusion was greeted by scattered
applause.
Representative Henry then opened the
debate for the minority report. He said
that this report would in no way inter-
fere with the operation or the unit rule,
as it has obtained heretofore.
Where delegates were elected as here
tofore by state convention, Mr.. Henry
said, the old unit rule still would obtain.
In cases where primary laws provided for
the election of delegates by direct vote.
however. he held the people should be al
lowed to express their preference. >
He cited the primary laws of Illinois and
Ohio. The delegations from both of these
states are In dispute.
Let this convention make no mistake
to crafty the whims of any man" con-
cluded Mr.. Henry. This is no time for
the democratic party to bluder Let us
say to the states, Go on with your presi-
Dental preference primaries, write these
primary laws on the statute books OF
every state That is the stand We should
take for progressive principles.
John w. Peck of Ohio was given 20 min
utes to support the majority report He
said that Ohio was the state most closely
affected by the rule. 1T is proposed by
this minority report" he said, ITO take
away from Ohio the right 1t has always
been accorded to unity action in the ma
tional conventions. This is the position
taken by the great progressive governor
Of New Jersey.
Demonstration for Wilson
The storm of confusion here broke. The
New Jersay delegation started the up
! roar. A dozen pictures OF Wilson appeared
and were scattered through the hall. Sen