Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-09-10

all democrats" at the COM
mittee session, replied TO Renfro.
Three more contests were to be
heard by the executive committee.
They were from Tarrant, Palo
Pinto and Wichita counties
Alvin 5. Moody Of Houston, chair
man OF the anti-Al Smith democratic
party Of Texas, reiterated today
that the group was ready to spill.
the Texas democratic party wide
open IL anti-Smith delegations were
not seated at the convention tomor-
row.
Plans for a separate convention If
the anti-Smith delegates were not
recognized were to be completed this
afternoon, when all democrats not
supporting the national ticket were
asked TO meet at anti-Smith head
quarters. Tentative plans for the
bolt were discussed at IN informal
caucus yesterday, several prominent
state republican leaders attending
the conference.
TWO AGAINST SMITH
Two members Of the committee re-
fused to pledge their allegiance to
Governor Alfred II. Smith, democrat
ic presidential nominee.
They were Benton Mcmillan Of "a
valla county and Mrs. J. u. Webb Of
Dallas, member by proxy from Denton
county. All other members took the
pledge, which was demanded by Steve
Pinkney of Harris county.
Secretary Dick Flemning no sooner
finished with the roll call than the
fight on all MEMBERS who refused
to take the oath Of allegiance TO the
entire democratic ticket was started.
Pinckney suggested that the roll
be called and that all members will
ing to support the ticket answer
yes" TO their names and those I'M
willing mo-"
When McMillan's name was reached
amid handclaps from anti-Smithers in
the audience.
The roll continued. all members
and proxies answering in the affirm
ative until the name Of Mrs. Webb
was reached. She declared she would
vote for every member Of the demo-
cratic ticket except Smith.
Says Prohibitionist
Mcmillan as then given permission
to state his position.
Il have been a prohibitionist all my
life," he said. II always have sup
ported the nominees OF the democrat
ic party and it would give me great
pleasure If | could say now that ]
was going to vote for All Smith. But
| cannot do this. In view OF his re-
pudiation OF the democratic platform.
because Of the fact that he is not a
prohibitionist, and because Of my own
record as a prohibitionist, I cannot
co~nscientiously support him."
When Pinckney arose and demand
ed whether Mcmillan had ever voted
for IN anti-prohibitionist, McMillan's
face Redeemed and he asked for the
names Of some anti-prohibitionists
who had u for office.
"Culberson, Woodrow Wilson, o.
r. Colquitt, Joe Bailey" came sugges-
tions from the audience.
Those men have seen the error OF
their ways" Mcmillan explained.
Pinckney then moved that the proxy
held by Mrs. Webb be cancelled.
Says Many for Hoover.
There we're 5000 democrats in this
county who voted for Butte against
Mrs. Ferguson" said Mrs. Webb rs
she rose in her own defense. most
OF the democrats Of Dallas county this
time are for Hoover. We think the
homes, the families and the children
are In jeopardy and we will not vote
for AL Smith. We are standing for
prohibition and will continue to stand
for it."
The vote on the cancellation Of Mrs.
Webb's proxy was then taken. The
cancellation was made with only two
voting to allow her TO remain on the
committee.
The committee has no authority 10
expel a duly elected member" Chair
mar Wilcox declared. do I under
stand you are making your motion
in the form OF a request only?"
Yes sir" was the answer.
Not to Vote for Hoover
Then must decline your request,
sir" Mcmillan said emphatically.
Pinckney then said: 1--WE will ex-
cuse Nh. Mcmillan in time 10 allow
him to join the Hooverites in their
convention
Mcmillan was on his feet protest.
ing, declaring that the committee had
no authority to expel him.
II think the gentlemen from Hcus
ton was making his motion in Jest
said the chairman.
Winbourne Pierce, Temple. then
seconded ~Pinckney's motion for Nc
Millan's withdrawal. When he had
finished Mcmillan rose again.
II never said I was going to vote
for Hoover. ! said ] was not going
TO vote for Smith. l never have voted