The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-06-30


 This pledge, If kept will have more in- fiuence on the result of the election than the platform or the name of the candi- date. How can that pledge be made ef- feotive? There is but one way, namely, to nominate candidate who is under no obligation to those whom these influences directly or indirectly control.
 Vote Not Representative
 1.-The vote of the state of New York in the convention, as cast under the unit rule. does not represent the intelligence, the virtue, the democracy or the patriot ism of the 90 men who are here. It rep resents the following of one man. Charles r. Murphy (hisses and great applause), and he represents the influences that dom- mated the republican convention at Chi cago and are trying 10 dominate the con vention tgreat applause). If we nominate a candidate under like conditions tbese in- fluenceS will say to our candidate. Re member now thy creator (hisses and ap- plause). we cannot hope to appeal to the confidence of the progressive democrats and republicans of the nation. = Nebraska, or that portion of the dele gation for which l am authorized to speak, is not willing to participate in the nomination of any man who is willing to violate tbe resolution adopted by this convention and accept the high honor of the presidential nomination at the hands of Mir Murphy great applause)
 "When we were instructed for Mir. Clark the democratic voters who instructed us did so with the distinct understa nding that Mir. Clark stood for progressive de- mocracy (applause). MT. Clark's repre- sentative appealed for support on no other ground. They counted that MT. Clark was more progressive than Mir. Wilson, and indignantly denied that there was any co-operation between MT. Clark and the reactionary element of the party. Upon no other condition could br. Clark have received a plurality of the democratic vote of Nebraska.
 "The 13 delegates for whom I speak stand ready to carry out the instrue- tions given in the spirit in which they were given and upon the conditions under which they were given. (Great applause.) but some of these delegates will not participate in the nomination of any man. cannot say for how many can speak. for I have not had a chance to take a poll but some of thees delegates will not participate in the nomination of any whose nomination depends upon the vote of the New York delegation.
 Withholds Vote From Clark
 speaking for myself and for any of the delegation who may decide to join me, I withhold my vote from MT. Clark as long as New Yorks vote Is recorded for him. (Great applause and hisses.1 And the position that I take in regard to Mir. Clark l will take In regard to any other candidate whose name is now or may be before the convention.
 "I shall not be a party to the nom nation of any man, no matter who he may be, or from what section of the country he comes from, who will not, when elected, be absolutely free to carry out the anti-Morgan- Ryan Belmont resolution and make his ad- reflect the wishes and the hopes of those who believe in a- gov ernment, of the people, by the people and for the people. tGreat applause)
 If we nominate a candidate who Is under no obligations to those inter- ests. which speak through MT. Murphy shall offer a resolution authorizing and directing the presidential candi- dates to select campaign committee to manage the campaign in order that they may not be compelled to suffer the humiliation and act under the em barra ssment that I had in having men in the management of hls who had no sympathy with the party's aims and in whose democ- racy the general public has no con- hdence"
 Now having explained the position taken by myself and those in the dele gation who view the subject from the same standpoint I now announce my vote.'
 McCorkle Wants to Know
 Governor McCorkle of West Virginia then asked the chalrman's permission to ask MT. Bryan a question, and Bryan said:
 T am perfectly willing if the chair con sents"
 Permission was given Mecorkle.
 1T wish to ask the categorical ques- ton whether Mir. Bryan intends to be that he will not support the nominee if he is voted for and nominated by the present vote of the state of New York in this convention.
 Mir Bryan; q shall be glad to answer the question of the gentleman from West Virginia, and, before answering it, shall be glad to advise that if any other gentle man in this convention has any question on his mind that he would like to get rid of, I will remain here and give him a chance to ask it. (Applause.)
 This is a democratic convention and we have a right to ask question of each other, and we ought to be frank with each other" he added.
 Cries from delegates: Are you dem oerat?"
 MT. Bryan replied: My democracy has been put to the test.''
 Mr Bryan My democracy has been certified to by six and half million of American democrats, but I will ask the secretary to enter on the record one dis senting vote if the gentleman will give his name" Prolonged laughter and cheers).
 MT. Bryan: Some gentleman asked me if was a democrat I would like to have his name that I may put it by the side of Ryan and Belmont, who were not democrats when 1 was candidate for the presidency.
 Will Support Candidate
 Now let me answer the question of the gentleman from West Virginia. Nothing that said'this morning, and nothing that ever said, justifies the construction that the gentleman would place upon my language Fl distinguish between refusing to be a party to the nom nation of candidate and refusing to support him after he has been nominated over my opposition. Applause and