Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1936-06-22
SOUTHERN LEADER
. TERMS It ARCHAIC
Repeal Is Expected After
"Passive" Opposition
by Dixie Groups.
Rr the Associated Press.

BY INC AoSONlalCN ASoo'
PHILADELPHIA. June 22.-one Of
the South's prominent Democratic
leaders, Josephus Daniels of North
Carolina, came out today for abolition
of the two-thirds nominating rule at
Democratic conventions, calling it
absurd and archaic
Daniels, former Secretary OF the
Navy and now Ambassador to Mexico,
predicted the rule, under which the
South has exercised veto over can
didates unattractive TO it, would be
repealed in accordance with recon-
mendations of, President Roosevelt and
National Chairman James A. Farley,
Some opposition from Southern
delegations was evident. but New Deal
CAPTAINS forecast it would be more
or less passive and would get no.
where.
In an interview Daniels said he had
favored abrogation of the tWo-thlrds
rule ever since I've had time to
study the question"
absurd and Archaic"
Its absurd and archaic and gives
q minority the right to prevent selec-
ton of the strongest candidate.
The rule was adopted when the
South was afraid a candidate might
not vote with them on slavery.
"A majority has right to control.
A minority has a right to be heard.
When you say minority can control
a majority you are destroying the
basis of democracy, which is that a
majority has right to rule"
Senator Guffey of Pennsylvania said
his State delegation would caucus to-
night on the question. He predicted
it would favor scrapping the rule.
The rule requires that two-thirds
Of the delegates must vote for a man
before he can be nominated, and thus
gives the powerful minority from the
South virtual veto power over nomi-
nations.
Some SouthernerS contended today
that if majority rule is restored, the
membership of Southern delegations
should be increased by way of COM
pensation.
Whether this suggestion would de-
relop into any concerted drive was
not indicated.
Advocates of majority rule said
they found little or no organized
cohesion among those seeking to save
the two-thirds requirement.
I've only been in town a short
time, but I don't look for any or
gained fight against abrogating the
tWo-thirds rule, said Senator Clark
of Missouri.
Due to Lead Pro-Repeal Group.
The Missourian, slated for the
Rules Committee Craftsmanship, is ex-
pected to captain the pro-repeal
brigade.
Clark said the rule should have
been abolished with slavery. He added
that it had prevented the nomination
of Martin Van Buren, in 1874 and of
his father, Champ Clark. in 1912
after each had obtained majority.
Senator Byrd and Gov. Peery of
Virginia, who favor retention, were
due in the city today.
SeHdJOT OOlllld4Iy VI lcAdo, VIII
rode into town behind one of his
famous long cigars, said:
We are against abrogation of the
rule, but don't think it makes much
difference what is done"
Sees Straight out" Issue.
Asked if an effort might be made
10 reshuffle delegate strength of vari-
Gus sections to give the South larger
representation, in event the rule was
thrown out, he said:
Il don't think the other sections
would agree to that. I think it will
just be. a question of the straight-out
issue"
The first State caucus on the issue
late last night resulted in a 6-to-5
vote among early arrivals from Okla
homa in favor of simple majority
rule. Oklahoma has % votes.
Members of the New Mexico dele
cation were reported behind move
to rally all small States, with eight
votes or less. against abrogation. They
contended the rule was good bar
gaining" point for little Common
wealths.