Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-06-27

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The report. much to the surprise Of
the convention, generally was adopted
by viva voce vote, without opposi-
ton.
Mr. Covington then presented the
majority supplemental report of the
rules committee making the unit
rule" a rule of the convention.
AS reported the rule would make d
unit instruction by a state conven-
ton binding on delegate of a ma
iority OF the delegates favored any
particular candidate.
Rep. Henry of Texas presented a
minority report which would except
from the operations of this rule such
delegations as are elected under state
primary rules. by congressional dis
tricts.
After both, 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 Jefersonian
Democratic doctrine and as without
the unit rules the two-thirds rule
would not be practicable, the con-
vention should maintain the unit rule
despite the popular primary in con-
gressional districts.
While Mr. Covington was speaking
the thunder storm which had been
threatening all the evening, broke. A
heavy downpour of rain clattered
noisily on the roof of the big armory.
MIR. Covingten's argument was brief
and it's conclusion was greeted by
scattered applause.
Rep. Henry then opened the de-
bate for the minority report He said
that this report would In no way in
terfere with the operation of 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 would
still obtain. In cases where the pri-
mary law was provided for the cleo
ton of delegates by direct vote he
held the people should be allowed to
express their preference.
He cited the primary laws of llli-
| nois and Ohio. The delegations from
both of these states are in dispute
Let this convention make no mis-
take TO crafty the whims of any
man." concluded Mr.. Henry. This
| is ne time for the Democratic party
to blunder. Let us say to the state,
Go with your Presidential preference
primaries, write these primary laws
ON the statute books of every state,
that the stand we should take for
Progressive principles"
John w. Peck of Ohio was given g
minutes TO support the majority report.
He said that Ohio was the state most
closely affected by the rule.
'1t is proposed by this minority re-
port. he said, Ito take away from Ohio
the right it has always been accorded
to unified action in the National con.
vention."
A few moments later Peck referred to
Gov. Wilson of New Jersey and the
name started a demonstration.
This" he said, lis the position taken
by the great Progressive, Gov. Wilson
of New Jersey"-and the storm broke
The New Jersey delegation began the
uproar. A dozen pictures of Wilson ap-
peared and were scattered through the
hall. Senator John Sharp Williams oil
Mississippi, who was on the platform
swung his hat above his head as he LED
cheers for Wilson.
big white Texas banner, inscribed
Forty for Wilson, with Wilson 18th
ograph attached. appeared and an at
| tempt was made to start parade
through the aisles. 1t did not mate
rialize.
From the galleries a shower of Will
son Autographs fell upon the delegates
Galleries and soor joined in the cheer.
ing delegates and spectators climbing
upon chairs.
81 ba hal fhe
big block of New York delegates sal
calm and unmoved
An enormous orange and black ban
ner, over 80 feet long. inscribed
"Staunton, Va, Woodrow Wilson's
birthplace" was carried through the
galleries A black and white banner
inscribed: Give us Wilson and Wen
give you Pennsylvania" appeared
over the Pennsylvania delegation and
it started another cheer.
Let the band play" shouted an ex-
cited Jersey delegate, dashing to the
foot of the platform. The band did
play and the cheering increased for a
time Finally the band swung into the
Star SpangIed Banner" and out of
the roar emerged murmur as many
of the delegates stopped cheering to
sing. But when the song was over
the shouting was resumed and the
band played Maryland. My Mary
land bringing the Baltlmoreans in
the gallery to their feet.
The Underwood people tried to APP
propriate part of the demonstration.
They distributed Autographs of Under
wood and raised a huge banner with
the inscription What is the issue?
The tariff. What is the answer? I'm
derwood."
Dixie" from the band added volume
TO the uproar. A Jersey delegate
worked feverishly but in vain to tear
from its iron clamps the Jersey stand
ard.
The volume of sound grew steadily
From the galleries the bearers of the
big "Staunton" banner came down to
the floor. They hurried to the press
stand and endeavored to scale the
platform. One of the bearers gained
the press stand, tramping over the
telegraph keys and heads of writer's,
but was seized by newspaper man