The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-06-25
BY VIM. JENNINGS BRYAN JR
written for United Press


written for United Press
CHICAGO, June 25.-We are
meeting at the critical hours Of our
nations history. +
The political events of the next
few months will determine largely
whether this nation shall lift itself
out of depression and go on as the
greatest example Of popular govern
ment, or whether it shall go down
into chaos and stand in history as a
colossal monument to mans failure
to govern himself.
For more than three years this
nation has been experiencing de-
preston unparalleled in history. For
more than three years we have been
experiencing the creeping paralysis,
caused by steadily falling prices.
The people groan under the bur-
den of tion-foreclosures are
increasing on every hand and bust
ness enterprise is at standstill.
Indicts Republican Party
We find ourselves in an anomal-
Gus situation with tremendous sur
plus in all products, and yet wide
spread want and unemployment.
We have a tremendous surplus OF
gold, yet credits are frozen and re-
stricted; a tremendous surplus of
cotton and wool and yet people need
clothing; a tremendous surplus OF
wheat and farm products-yet mil
lions of our people are hungry and
unemployed.
1t is to the shame of our civiliza-
ton that such conditions can exist
in this so-called land of opportu-
nifty. That they do exist is abund-
ant proof that our government has
failed to function for the general
good. The Republican party stands
indicted for this failure.
Never has a Democratic conven-
ton been held in times more preg-
nant with possibilities for good or
evil for both the party and for the
nation. No party has ever been
faced with a more critical, a more
aroused or more desperate citi-
zenry.
Candidates Must Unite
The advance guard of the Demo-
cratic host already is here All are
talking of but one thing-party vic
tory. 1t will be all in vain unless
candidates cease fighting one an
other and unite to face the common
foe.
1t will be in vain-unless the con-
vention adopts a platform upon all
the economic issues-so clear, so
severely and briefly plain that all
can understand and that no official
can take refug, in false interpreta-
ton nor evasion.
The most significant announce
ment yet made by any of the party
leaders was issued by James A. Far
ley, manager for Franklin D. Roose-
welt, when he said:
"At a meeting of the friends of
Governor Roosevelt, consisting OF
leading Democrats from practically
every state and territory, the fol-
lowing resolution was adopted
UNANIMOUSLY: That it be the sense
of this gathering that we pledge
ourselves to do all within our pow
err to bring about the abolition of
the two-thirds rule and the adop-
ton of the majority rule in this con-
vention.'
Step in Right Direction
This not only is a smart move
on the part of the Roosevelt forces
but it is a step in the right direc-
ton in party government.
This so-called "two-thirds rule" is
incorrectly named-it is in reality
"one-third rule"
It has stood for 100 years fiat
contradiction to the fundamental
principle of government laid down
by Thomas Jefferson-that abso-
lutte acquiesence in the decision of
the majority Is a vital principle.
1t always has worked to the
party's detriment. The conservative
element of the east-dominated by
the corporate interests and typified
by the compact control of the Tam
many machine and the more loose
ly organized liberal elements of the
south and west are opposed.
They view the problems Of gov
eminent from opposite points of the
compass.
Under the so-called two-thirds
rule either element has the power
to block the other-and as a result,
infrequently the man with the
greatest popularity is sacrificed to
the injury of the party.
Rules Should Be Changed
There perhaps is no better ex-
ample Of this than the nomination
of John w. Davis in 1924. After the
103rd ballot he was nominated as the
compromise candidate. The bitter
ness engendered in that long fight
had much to do with tn defeat of
the party in that election.
The south has nothing to fear
from the abrogation of this rule. On
the present basis of representation
the strictly southern states have far
less than one-third of the total vote
of the convention. On the other
hand it is easy for New York with
her ninety-four votes to join with
other great states of the north and
east and muster more than one
third of the votes.
The convention has the power to
make or change its own rules by a
simple majority vote. In the inter-
estS Of democrack the rule should
be changed.