Evening star., 1932-06-26
A Bolt Brewing in Chicago.

The makings of party bolt are pres
ent in the Chicago convention situation
on the eve Of the meeting Of the Demo-
Gratis tomorrow. The conditions are
somewhat suggestive Of those which pre-
vailed in the same way twenty years ago,
when the Republicans assembled to
name their ticket for the 1912 cam
paign. President Taft was then the
outstanding candidate for the nomina-
ton, having a majority Of the regularly
accredited delegates. Theodore Roose-
welt, who had been persuaded to enter
the race by the appeal Of seven Repub-
Ncan Governors, had, however, secured
a large majority of the delegates chosen
at primaries. In some of the conven-
ton States bolting Roosevelt delegations
were named to contest admission TO the
national meeting. The Taft supporters
had control Of the organization and
with few exceptions seated the TAFT
claimants. On the fifth day Of the
convention, which had been protracted
by factional disputations, announcement
was made, Just before the adoption Of the
platform, by Roosevelt supporter that
inasmuch as the convention no longer
represented the Republican party the
Roosevelt delegates would refuse to vote
MANY of them left the hall, those who
remained taking no part in the pro-
ceedines. The boilers held rump
convention and informally nominated
Roosevelt. who addressed the meeting
and asked that more formal corven-
ton be held at later date. Such
meeting was held on the 5th Of August
at Chicago and Roosevelt was nomi-
mated by acclamation. The result was
a complete split in the Republican party
and the election of Woodrow Wilson as
President.
Today at Chicago the uprising Is
against steam roller" methods OF pro-
cedure just as was the protest OF the
Roosevelt faction in 1912. The steam
roller operated by the manager, OF the
campaign Of Franklin Roosevelt Is
threatening to crush, not oppositlon
delegations, but a traditional rule OF
the Democratic party, adopted one hun
dred years ago. providing that nomi-
nations be made by vote OF two
thirds Of the delegates. Though no
specific threats are uttered OF bolt
there is plainly evident disposition
TO denounce the nominee II he is Sc
lected through the abrogation OF the
two-thirds rule A round robin has
been drawn up and is being signed
pledging the signers not to support any
candidate who does not receive two
thirds of the vote in the convention.
Some of the most prominent and inf1u-
entail members of the party are lining
up against the procedure OF revision OF
the rules to affect this present conven-
ton after the election Of the delegates
on the assumption that the century,
old rule would prevail.
Mere talk of boiling uttered in the
heat of indignation over the eleventh.
hour proposal of change OF rule to
permit the nomination Of Roosevelt by
a majority vote does not, Of course,
necessarily pledge the supporters OF the
two-thirds rule to secession. But 1t
unn1istakably evinces hostility certain
to have a damaging If not disastrous
effect upon the nominee if thus chosen.
Some of the Democratic leaders opposed
to Roosevelt and some who are friendly
10 him who have taken the same posi-
tion have gone very far toward a pledge
of non-support. There is talk OF
tainted" nomination, Of damaged
goods" Of betrayal" Such words are
not easily forgotten and are not readily
recanted.
It was undoubtedly a grave tactical
blunder for the Roosevelt management
nearly four days before the opening oi
the convention, with clear majority
of the delegates in hand and with two
thirds closely approached, thus to at
tack the one fundamental rule OF
Democratic procedure chat has remained
unchanged for a century. If 1t was not
a confession that two-thirds could not
be gained, it was at least an avowal oi
apprehension. 1t was poor psychology
in any event, and the wonder is that
the candidate himself did not inlme-
diately repudiate 1t and proclaim his
intention to accept ro nomination that
was not made in accordance with the
traditional rule Of the party.