The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-03-23
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2S, 1882
Counsel From Cummings

Homer s. Cummings. who is directing some of the activities in the campaign to nominate Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt for the presidency on the democratic ticket thinks that his party should discard the two thirds rule at the national convention and nominate the first candidate who re- ceives a majority vote. Of course, the in- tent is obvious. There are great many people who believe that the ultimate nomi- nation of Mir Roosevelt will be blocked by small minority or several small groups that will stick to "favorite sons until com promise is proposed and adopted.
 Personally we don't think that this will happen in Chicago when the democrats convene. We don't look for another Madl- son Square Garden episode We think that the democratic party is too well aware ot the golden opportunity that awaits it ths year in the national elections to sacrifice it's chances by display of rank political par tisanShip at the convention We don't know whether Governor Roosevelt will be noml- mated or not. If he is the party will have candidate who can be elected over President Hoover quite handily. However we can say the same for several other potentials in the democratic ranks. We are looking at this approaching gathering in altogether im- partial light just at present.
 ' But we fail to see where Mir Cummings has convinced anybody that the two-thirds rule should be dropped in l932. There are many who think it should without, giving one thought to any presidential candidate. They hold that it is not really and truly dsmoerate principle The majority should rule, expresses more completely the demo- cratic side of the question. On the other hand there are plenty of defenders of the rwo.thirds rule who can point out how much benefit it has been in the past. They will recall the Baltimore convention of 1912 when Woodrow Wilson was ultimately nominated although the late Speaker of the House, Champ Clark. at one time attained a majority of the delegates in the balloting. , We don't take exception to Mir Cum rnings' statement for we agree with him when he says. Republican leaders are hope ful that we shall make a fiaseo of our na- tional convention. as we did in 1924. In that convention. the leading candidate re fused to give way to the opposition, and the equally tenacious opposition had enough votes to prevent action. The result was deadloek. Which side should have yielded in this emergency is not now matter of importance . However, l do not sahre the belief that we are headed for another political debaele l think we have gained wisdom from experience and our party prob- lem is to make use of the wisdom thus pain fully acquired. ..."
 ' Evidently Mr Cummings has profted thereby for he was on the MeAdoo side in l924 which tugged and pushed with the Smith forces for hundred or so ballots be- fore the delegates named just as outstanding 1figurc in John w. Davis as either Mir Me. Adoo or Mir Smith. Mir Cummings posi- don in this matter is an odd one. As we Sid he lined up with McAdoo in 1924. So did Messrs Spellacy and Fitzgerald, then the big three in democratic circles. Today the last two named are all for Alfred E. Smith. who is fighting shy of the nomination to dur way of thinking All of which IS tlorc interesting right here in Connecticut shan in any other state. What other demo. Sats in other states are thinking about the Cummings statement probably is something Inc same as we are turning over in our hind. If Governor Roosevelt is so Nrong as Mr Cummings believes him to be here is no need of changing any party regu. htions. He will be nominated in quick or Der and despite the wealth of material in demoeratic ranks.