davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-12
How It Began

Conventions developed to fill
void in our system of government
The Constitution originally pro-
vided for indirect election of the
President by electors, equal in num-
Der to a States representation in
Congress and chosen as State legis-
latures directed. Each elector was
to vote for two men, the winner of
the highest number of electoral
votes becoming President and the
second man becoming Vice Presi-
dent. That system worked for
awhile, but the emergence of the
two-party system in 1900 forced
adoption of the 18th Amendment
differentiating between candidates
for the presidency and the vice
presidency.
But there was no provision for
the selection of those candidates.
The founding fathers apparently
had thought the electors" would
pick the best men available-and
for a time it worked that way.
Political leaders reached informal
agreements on who was to run.
In very short time, the informal
discussions became congressional
"caucuSeS" -Secret meetings of
leaders in Congress to formally
select candidates.
The congressional caucus had a
limited existence in the free-for-
all of American politics because of
fatal defect: a favored group
was given the right to decide secret
ly who was to become the President
of the United States. 1t provided
four Presidents - John Adams
through James Monroe - but it
died in 1924 when the candidate it
selected, William H. Crawford, was
defeated by John Quincy Adams.
The short-lived anti-Masonic
party held the first political con-
vention as We know it in Baltimore
IN 1881. The major parties followed
suit the next year and the con-
vention system was firmly ,estab-
lished, gradually developing its
familiar characteristics - the plat
form, the man who" nominating
speeches, the hoopla and all the
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-12

enough votes to be assured of nomi-
nation. there is a rush for the
bandwagon and move to make the
choice unanimous. In 1852, how
ever, 280 resentful Taft delegates
were prepared to stick with their
man to the end, and it took the
backing of Senator John w. Bricker,
representing Mr.. Taft, to push
through the motion making the
nomination unanimous.
Following a practice begun by
Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1882, the
candidate usually makes an accept
ance speech to the convention.
The No. z Spot
The vice presidential nominee is
named by the same process, with
such factors as balancing the
ticket" ideologically or geographic
cally, and the appeasement of dis
appointed presidential aspirants
and their hackers coming in for
consideration.
Usually delegates energies are
spent by the time they get around
to naming the vice presidential
candidate and often he is chosen
by reclamation in a half-empty
hall. But fights do occur-for in
stance the lively Wallace Truman
contest in 1914.
Nominations completed, the con-
vention'S business is over. There
is a furry of resolutions THANK
ing the arrangements committee,
the press, and so on. The chair
man raps his gavel, adjouring the
convention "sine die"-that is,
without set day for reconvening
and the exhausted delegates go
home to carry on the good fight.
The new national committee, APP
proved in the early days of the
convention, stays on to map cleo
ton strategy.
And that is the story Of a ma
ton convention-at least so far
as its official operations go. OF
course, throughout the convention,
and particularly during the ballot
ing, there is constant, intensive
acknowledgements. caucusing, COM
promising horse-trading and poll
tical dealing and double dealing.
The outcome of these transactions
in the familiar "smoke-fllled rooms"
are reflected in developments on
the floor.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-12
DISTRICT
DISTRICT
Delegates Propose Bloc
To Boost Political Weiqht
BY HECTOR Mclean

When the rolls are called out
yonder in Convention Hall at Chs
cago this week, the District dele
cation to the Democratic National
Convention once more will be try
ing to multiply its political weight.
Following strategy pursued with
out much success four years ago
by F. Joseph (Jiggs) Donohue,
then District Commissioner and
chairman of the delegation. the
Washington Democrats are trying
to work out an effective voting
bloc at the end of the roll call of
States.
The strategy calls for the Dis
trict, Alaska. Hawaii and Puerto
Rico--all at the bottom of the
list--to unite in an effort to create
tag-end reservoir of power.
Only in this way. the delegates
reason. can they WELD big enough
stick to cudgel national convention
leaders into respecting them.
II Would Be Useful
Effective use of such negotiable
bloc Of votes could pay of to all
four delegations, at least in getting
them a better share of scarce
tickets, badges and other little items
which make life more bearable at
the Nations quadriennial political
carnival.
Four years ago, however, no ef-
fective coalition was ever worked
out, despite several meetings
among the four delegations.
The District delegation this year
has strong attitudes on several con-
vention problems.
First and foremost is their
avowed support OF Adlai Steven
son for President.
Although there seems now to
be little likelihood they will ever
be tested, the District delegates
are committed TO stay with him
until released. After all, they were
elected as a Stevenson delegation
in what-although true slate voting
Is banned here-was obviously slate
voting
The margin given the Stevenson
supporters by voters who elected
them to vote for Mr. Stevenson was
more than to |.
Even Mr. Donohue. generally
regarded as the leading local
Democrat. could run only 18th In
a l2-horse race. Presumably this
was explained by his support of
Senator Estes Ketauver, Democrat
ei Tennessee, 70 whom Mr.. Dono-
hue was committed as a candidate
for delegate and for national COM
mitteeman. and whose national
campaign manager he was. Mr.
Donohue got only 1887 votes as
compared 70 the lowest man on
the Stevenson slate. Gerhard p.
Van Arkel. who got 1852. National
Committeeman Melvin D. Hildreth
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-12

81 Oath Fighters
Return to CHICAGO

ask me-" he said, III tell them I
intend to vote for Senator Russell
and support him."
On the second day, the conven-
ton adopted loyalty pledge rule
offered by Senator Blair Moody of
Michigan
Virginia's delegates we're unde-
cided on what position to take other
than to oppose the new rule. The
delegation chairman, John S. Battle,
who was Governor at the time,
suggested that a Virginia caucus
recess until after he conferred with
other Southern State delegations.
Senator Byrd agreed.
But another delegate. Arlington's
State Senator Charles r. Fenwick,
limited at an apparent inconsistency
in Virginia's position at Chicago
and Virginia's position at home.
1.-THE thing that concerns us most
is whether we are on sound ground
when we make this question Of
loyalty the issue" Senator Fenwick
said. Our State law already re-
quires it. When l go back to my
people / want to be able to justify
my position.
In my county and district con-
ventionS, We require every delegate
to sign a pledge to abide by the
decision Of those conventions and
the conventions that follow"
About then, the writer Joined
Senator Byrd who was strolling up
Michigan avenue towards his hotel.
IF they want to throw us out,
let them," he said tartly. "A good
many of us would welcome it,"
Then. with a grin, he added:
They've got themselves in a hell
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-12

have been a part of the American
political machinery for 1875 years,
and often, particularly in this CEN
tury, they have come under attack.
AlternatiyeS--the most notable be-
ing the direct presidential primary
under which party members would
select their candidates by ballot
have been proposed time and again.
But always the dissatisfaction has
died down, a victim perhaps of the
convention systems proved effec-
tivenesS.
Those who feel qualms about the
system as they watch its widest
manifestations may find some re-
assurance in the story of how politi-
cal conventions came to be in this
country and how they operate. The
facts give note of reason and or
der which counters to some extent
the corn, the noise. the confusion,
the sham. the inefficiency and the
cynicism of the performance on the
convention floor
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-12

beat him, 1893 to 9,495. in that
race.
One product Of the slate voting
was to give the District a delegation
which appears to be remarkably
united on a number of issues.
For Strong Rights PIonk
Bound by the unit rule as a
result of the election. the delegation
has agreed to work for adoption
of a strong civil rights plank.
They planned to wait until a
caucus in Chicago tomorrow,
though, to decide whether they
think such plank ought to make
specific mention of the Supreme
Court decision ruling out race seq
regation in the public schools.
Disclosure OF Mr.. Stevenson's
views on that last week probably
will leave the delegates with a
minimum Of difficulty in making UP
their minds
Headed by j. c. Turner, vice
president Of the Washington Gen.
trail Labor Union. the delegation
also has demonstrated a pro-labor
slant. 1t has agreed to work for
platform Endorsements of revision
Of the Taft-Hartley Law along the
lines Of the old Wagner Labor Act
and extension of the Fair Labor
Standards Act to include persons
working in interstate retail trades.
They also decided to plug for
revision Of the present national Sc
curly program TO exclude nom
sensitive jobs from loyalty inspec-
ton and provisions for assuring
those accused Of disloyalty the OPP
portunity to confront their &C
cusers.
And. Of course. they are whole
hearted in support OF home rule
for the District. approved 10 TO /
on the ballot in the May election.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-12

Since national conventions have
no basis in law, the rules under
which they operate are really Just
customs and can be changed at any
time. Despite this flexibility, both
parties operate their conventions
in a remarkably similar manner.
The parties, for example, have
different systems of apportioning
convention votes, but the basis of
both is the same-the amount of
representation a State has in
Congress plus bonuses for good
Showings the party made in that
States previous national elections.
This year, there VIII be 1872 votes
at the Democratic convention
compared with. 1890 four years
ago. and 1923 at the Republican
convention, compared with 1905.
Since the Democrats permit the
casting of half-votes many more
than 1872 official delegates will
attend their convention. Both
parties permit at least one alternate
lOf EACH QeleSdle.
A convention officially is launched
when the party's National Com
mittee, calls it. The committee
makes all preliminary arrange
ments, including selection of site;
draws up temporary roll of dele
gates and recommends a slate of
temporary officers. Here is what
happens when the convention actu-
ally gets under way (much of this
material is adapted from a study
of convention procedure by Con-
greSsional Quarterly:
Temporary Organization
Although the convention usually
approves the National Committees
slate of officers, nominations from
the floor are permitted and the
selection of a temporary chairman
can provide an early test of strength
among rival factions. Frequently
his chief function is to deliver the
keynote speech.
Other temporary officers, who are
usually made permanent, include a
secretary, Sergeant-at-arms. parlia-
mentarian, chief tally clerk, chief
reading clerk and doorkeeper.
The next step is adoption of
temporary rules, then selection of
the four major standing committees
credentials, permanent organiza-
ton. rules and resolutions (plat-
form. Each State and territorial
delegation is represented by one
member on each committee, except
that one man and one woman from
each delegation sits on the resolu-
tons committee. The committees
often begin work before the con-
vention actually opens. as the Dem
ocratic resolutions committee has
been doing in a well-publicized
manner during the last week.
Credentiol Committee
Before the convention begins, the
National Committee complies a
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-12

of hole-now let them get out
of it,"
The Virginia delegates had in
structed their chairman. Gov.
Battle, to stand pat and file nothing
with the Credentials Committee,
thus throwing the whole issue on
the floor. 1t was a silent dare to
the convention to throw them out.
Senator Byrd declared: "All that
I am anxious for the country to
know is that Virginia has not
receded from her position. even II
we are allowed to vote. If we are
seated, it is going to be done with
the understanding that the leaders,
or whatever they are, have changed
their position. We have not
changed ours"
Peace Overtures
The convention leaders by then
were importuning the SouthernerS
to forget their differences. The con-
vention would be informed that q
re-eXamination of information be-
fore the Credentials Committee
showed that the national party
nominees were guaranteed a place
on the ballots of the holdout
States.
Virginia refused Gov. Battle re-
garded this as "a humiliation, If
not an outright insult" to the
Southern States. Virginia wanted a
chance to make statement that
it had not yielded an inch on the
loyalty issue.
1t wasn't until the fourth day
Of the convention that Virginia won
clear-cut right to be seated with
out subscribing to the pledge.
A delegate from a neighboring
State. former Representative Lans-
dale Sasscer of Prince Georges
County. Md, actually precipitated
Virginia's acceptance.
When Louisiana was reached on
the roll call for the presidential
nomination, 1T was ruled that the
holdout States were disqualified TO
vote.
Maryland was two names later.
Mr.. Sasscer took the floor with the
intention Of passing" Instead. in
what he later called an extern
poraneouS brainstorm. he found
himself saying:
1.-THE distinguished Governor Of
Virginia made it clear that under
the law his State will place our
nominees on the ballot That is
substantial compliance with he
Moody loyalty PLEDGE resolution.
/ have confidence in the Governor
of Virginia.
In the tumult that followed. the
doors we're opened to Virginia Mr..
Stevensons hackers quickly came TO
the Southerners support while
those behind Senator Kefauver and
Gov. Hartman opposed Mr.. Sass
scer's motion to admit Virginia It
passed by vote OF 648i2 to 5i2
When Missouri cast its votes on
Virginia's side. Senator Byrd glee-
fully remarked:
We've even got Truman voting
with US now.
Once Virginia was accepted, Mr..
Battle made his historic speech
which brought South Carolina and
Louisiana back into the convention.
Thereafter. Virginias part in the
convention was anticlimax.
Virginia cast her % votes % VIII
be 80 this year for Senator Russell
for President on the first two roll
calls When the third roll call
came and the Stevenson Landslide
was apparent both Senator Byrd
and Mr. Tuck had left convention
hall before Virginias name vas
reached
When the motion came 70 make
Mr. Steyenson's nomination unani-
nous mighty roar went up from
thousands OF throats But The
delegates. who had remained be.
side virginias stubborn floor stands
ard clssped firmly by Mr.. Battle,
remained silent.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-12

temporary roll of delegates. This
goes to the credentials committee,
which hears claims of contesting
delegates and makes recommends
tons to the convention, itself which
is the final arbiter of all disputes.
Some of the most bitter battles
in recent conventions have CEN
tered on the seating of contested
delegations. And the outcome of
such battle often indicates which
potential nominee is in control of
the convention. In the 1852 Re-
publican convention, seating of SO
delegates from three southern
States provided an early show of
Eisenhower strength.
Organization Committee
The main function of this group
is to recommend permanent Of
ficerS. Its recommendation gen.
orally are accepted, but occasionally
the choice of permanent chair
man leads to strife. This year, as
in 1948 and 1852, House Speaker
Sam Rayburn will preside over the
Democrats. House Minority Leader
Joseph w. Martin, jr.. permanent
chairman of every G. o. P. conyen-
ton since 1910. will I'LL that role
for the Republicans.
The man who Yields the gavel
has great power in determining the
course the convention takes. At
no time was this more apparent
than at the Democratic convention
of 1852 when Mr.. Rayburn ruled
on a motion to seat the Virginia
delegation, which had refused to
subscribe to a loyalty oath. Mr..
Rayburn ruled that the motion was
an appeal from a previous ruling
OF the chair, although it had not
been so worded, and was therefore
in order. A hurried roll call, con-
Quoted in the absence of many
delegates, then seated the Vir-
ginians.
Rules Committee
This committee submits a set of
permanent rules based on those of
the House of Representatives and
generally similar to those of pre-
viouS conventions. The Democrats
use precedents compiled every four
years by Representative Clarence
Cannon Of Missouri in his Demo-
cratic Manual. Republicans adopt
a completely new set of rules at
every convention.
Some major changes have taken
place in convention rules over the
years. The most important was
abandonment in 1886 of a Demo-
ratio rule requiring a two-thirds
majority for the nomination of a
candidate. in force since 1882. The
Democrats, like the Republicans,
now nominate by simple majority.
A new Democratic rule this year
will be the modified loyalty OATH"
under which it will be UNDER
stood" that State party, in certi-
flying delegates, undertakes to- as
sure that voters in the States will
have the opportunity to cast their
election ballots for the presidential
and vice presidential nominees. :"
The Platform
The Resolutions Committee, gen.
orally starting the week before the
convention opens. drafts and pre-
sents platform to the convention.
Its big problem is to produce a
document all party candidates can
live with" and use in their cam
paigns. Dissident committee men,
bers may submit minority report
on the convention floor, but an
effort is made to compromise all
differences so this will not be neces-
sary.
Because of the need for multi
sided compromise, platforms have
become an object of ridicule. Har-
wards President Lowell once wrote
that lin their fervor. generality and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-12
SOME HELP For The VIEWER
The Conventions-Wi|d But Workable
SOME HELP FOR THE VIEWER

AS the political carnva of the next two weeks onopolze
home teevson screens few Americans will not at point
throw their hands and ask rs this the best way to do ?
Meaning this the best way to select the two who will be
eligible for election in November to the United States pres
dency highest office in the world?
The question will not be National conventions
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-08-12

other ingredients Of what Will
Rogers called "the Fourth of July
celebration of National politics"
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1956-09-28
MAKE YOUR WILL
TO BE SUREsYOU
HAVE YOUR WAY

Do you have a will? Miss Mann
lie Whisnant, Extension home man.
agement specialist at North Caro-
lima State College, says that max
ing will is something many peo-
pie keep putting off. Miss Whis-
nant states that failure to make
a will often results in division
of your property at your death
that is not in accord with your
wishes.
Miss Whisnant points out that
frequently family squabbles, finan-
cial tangles, law suits, delays IN
settling estates, large legal fees,
and disposition of the property in
accordance with the laws of North
Carolina instead of the wishes of
the deceased are just some of the
troubles which can result from
failure to make a will.
Every person who has more
property than he will probably
need for sickness and burial
should make a will, according to
Miss Whisnant. She points out that
each situation is different. She ad-
vises each person wishing to make
will to list his property-both
real estate and personal property
designate to whom they wish
the property to go, and then take
this information to lawyer and
have the lawyer draw up the will.
She emphasizes that to be legal,
a will must be written according
to the requirements of the law.
Many people in North Carolina,
says Miss Whisnant, already have
wills. But, she adds, one should
remember that will can become
out of date. Remember that it
can't be changed simply by
scratching out or adding words. A
statement known as a codicil must
be drawn up and signed by wit
nesses. In many cases it is better
to start from the beginning and
make a new will, according to Miss
Whisnant.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1956-09-28
CHARLOTTE ANGLERS LAND
HATTERAS CHANNEL BASS

Hatteras.-Channel bass are hit
ting the lures and bait of surf
casters and as autumn advances
the fish are getting larger. Best
catch reported here during the past
week end was made by group of
Charlotte anglers who caught sew
en- channel bass weighing from 20
to 33 pounds each. They were land
ed in the surf near Hatteras Inlet,
according to Willie Newsome, who
weighed the fish and prepared
them for shipment.
The Charlotte party included
Rex and Ross Tench, Hobert
Parks, S. o. Lawing, Robert Au-
ten and P. D. Lawing. In addition
to channel bass surf anglers dur
ing the past week have landed
plenty of blues, Spanish mackerel
and founder.
The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1956-09-28
HEARINGS ON PLEASURE
BOATING ANNOUNCED BY
REPRESENTATIVE BONNER

Representative Herbert c. Bon
ner, (D-N.C.), Chairman of the
Committee on Merchant Marine
and Fisheries of the House of
Representatives, has announced
that his committee will resume
public hearings on the East Coast
early in October commencing in
Elizabeth City, North Carolina on
October 8, 1856, and continuing in
New York City on October 8 and
10, and in Boston on October Is.
The purpose of the hearings is a
continuation of the nationwide
study to inquire into the necessity
or desirability of additional FEEDER
al legislation to keep pleasure
boating safe.
The Bonner committee has held
hearings in Washington, Detroit,
Chicago, Astoria, Tacoma, Seat
tie, San Francisco, San Pedro and
San Diego. They have heard testi-
mony from almost 200 witnesses
relative to the problems which
have arisen on the waterways OF
the United States due to the ire
mendous recent growth in the
numbers of small pleasure craft.
Study is being made by the COM
mittee as the result of request
from the National Association of
Engine and Boat Manufacturers
and the Cupboard Boating Club of
America last May.
The hearings which are to be
conducted on the East Coast will
examine into the problems affect
ing the use of pleasure boats in
that area. Mr.. Bonner again stat
ed that although his committee OBJ
viously cannot go everywhere -or
hear everybody, he intends to visit
cities located in the various centers
of pleasure boating activity
throughout the country in order
to afford convenient places where
pleasure boat users, State and 9TH
er governmental officials, yacht
clubs, and other boating organiza-
tions may be heard.
The committee urged that any
spokesman for boating organize
tions, state or municipal officials.
or other persons who may have
constructive views on the subject
Of pleasure boating safety, COM
municate with John NJ. Drewry,
Chief Counsel to the Merchant Ma
rine and Fisheries Committee,
House of Representatives, Wash
ington, d. c.