Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-09-04

of another fatal deadlock such as oc.
Cured in Madison Square Garden In
1924. ! have no opinion at this time
as to whether the convention will
change rules next year, but I have
an impression that the rules will be
changed and a majority will control
Believe Change Is Desired.
Arthur +. Mullen, Nebraska-In my
opinion the majority of the rank and
file of Democratic party favors aboli-
ton of unit and two-third rules. In
1916 i made an effort to secure ac-
ton of the national committee, the
purpose of which was to get rid OF
the two-third rule. My motion re-
ceived substantial support, but a
majority of the committee opposed it
If there ever was a valid reason foI
the existence of these rules recent
events show they should be abol-
ished. l favor whatever changes are
necessary to make 1t impossible to
enforce either the unit or the two
thirds rule in the next Democratic
national committee.
The national committee has power
to prevent the election of delegates
bound by the unit rule. The commit
tee does not have power over the rules
of the convention. The committee can
prevent the unit rule from being APP
piled until after it has been adopted by
a majority of the convention. On this
vote each delegate should vote as an
individual.
Some State-in fact, all States that
elect delegates in presidential primary
cannot enforce the unit rule. 1t
should not be allowed in any. The
proceedings Of the last two Democratic
national conventions ought to convince
thoughtful and reasonable people the
Democratic party cannot discharge
the obligation and duty it owes to its
membership If it continues to permit
ne-third of the delegates to control
and direct it's elaboration.
Frank H. Duffy, Vermont favor
abrogation of unit and two-thirds rule.
Robert c. Murchie, New Hamp.
shire-I think two-thirds rule should
be abolished. / hope the next conven-
ton will do so. prefer to leave unit
rule action to individual State delega.
tons.
Thomas J. Spellacy, Connecticut
Ny opinion is that two-thirds and unit
rules should both be abolished and
that Democratic party favors such a
change. l think it will be made by
next convention.
Many Favor Abolition.
Edward w. Quinn, Massachusetts,
I believe Democratic party favors
changing unit and two-thirds rule.
Personally, / feel it would be step
in the right direction.
D. j. McGillicuddy, Maine-I am in
favor of abolishing both the unit and
the two.thirds rules.
Patrick r. Quinn, Rhode Island-In
my opinion the next convention will
abolish the rule.
Norman Z. Mack, New York;
think the two-thirds rule and the unit
rule should be abolished.
Joseph Guffey, Pennsylvania am
in favor of aholishing both the unit
and the two-thirds rules, but ! think
it unwise to make a fight for this at
the next convention, as I am confident
Gov. Smith will be nominated with
both rules in effect. However, there
is something to my mind more i'm
portant than changing these rules,
and that is to see the party efficiently
organized before the convention meets.
I think this can best be brought about
by the election of a national chair
man at the meeting of the national
to be held in January next
year.
propose to introduce a resolution
to this effect, and, further, that the
organization of the national commit
tee be changed by the creation of two
new positions, viz, chairman of the
finance committee and chairman of
the executive committee, both to be
filled by appointment Of the presi-
Dental nominee and to serve only
during the duration of the campaign.
The history of the Democratic ma
which I am very familiar. have clear
ly demonstrated the necessity of
these changes.
Senator Carter Glass, Virginia-It
is my opinion that the Democratic
national committee has nothing
whatsoever to do with the two thirds
or unit rule. It is matter exclusive
ly within the Jurisdiction of the do
mestic national convention. acting
through its various State delegations.
The convention may in its initial
proceedings, by majority vote, re-
ject or re-enact two-thirds rule and
may. by a majority vote, recognize
or refuse to recognize the unit rule.
AS a generol proposition I might
favor abolition Of both these rules as
a question Of policy, but never to
meet the exigency Of any individual
for the presidential nomi-
nation, whether the attempt be made
in the interest Of one or another as
pirant.
Other Opinions.
John Gary Evans, South Carolina
do not care to express for publica-
ton my opinion on so vital a question
to the Democratic party until 1t
arises in the national committee.
j. T. G., Crawford, Fla.-In my
opinion the unit and two-thirds rules
would be readily abrogated If the
questions could be submitted to con-
vention before which there was no
contest for nomination, but l do
not look for any change until there
Is such a convention. / personally
favor abrogation of both rules.
Jed c. Adams, Texas-I have nc
valuable opinion as to the present at
titude of the Democratic party to
ward the unit and two-thirds rules in
dividually. I am in favor of delega
ton from this State acting under the
unit rule. I favor nomination under
the majority rule. l believe the mat
ter of unit rule is a question fol
States to settle for themselves. OF
course, the national convention will
make its own rule as to whether
nomination shall be made by two
thirds or majority. think to an