Humphrey Chosen Amid Pandemonium

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31771, 30 August 1968, Page 11

Humphrey Chosen Amid Pandemonium

(N.Z.P.A.-Reuter—Copyright) CHICAGO, August 29. Vice-President Hubert Humphrey, nominated by a divided Democratic Party in a pandemonium last night as its Presidential candidate, will challenge the Republican nominee, Mr Richard Nixon, for the American Presidency next November.

Mr Humphrey’s firstballot nomination came after a stormy convention session in which he overwhelmed his main rivals, Senators Eugene Mc- t Carthy and George McGovern, The official vote was: 1761 i for Mr Humhprey; 601 for Senator McCarthy; 146) for Senator McGovern; and 67) for the Rev. Channing Phillips, of Washington, the first Negro ever to be placed in nomination by either of the major American parties. Senator Edward Kennedy received 12) yotes and Governor Dan Moore, of North Carolina, as a “favourite son” candidate, 17). It was the Pennsylvania delegation’s voting that put Mr Humphrey over the required majority of 1312 votes, and after the figures had been declared official, the Illinois delegation proposed that it be made unanimous and the

convention roared its approval. President Johnson, who described Vice-President Humphrey as “an excellent and especially well-qualified candidate for the Presidency,” urged all Democrats to unite behind him.

Mr Johnson’telephoned his congratulations a few minutes after Mr Humphrey had won the nomination.

Kennedy Refusal

The day's events began with Senator Edward Kennedy's disavowal of a draft movement on his behalf. There was never a moment’s suspense in the balloting, and throughout a turbulent session the delegates and spectators paid less attention to the proceedings than to television and radio reports of the widespread violence in the streets outside, and to stringent security measures within the convention hall. Repeated denunciations of Mayor Richard Daley from speakers and repeated efforts to force an adjournment or recess were ignored by convention officials.

From the rostrum. Senator Abraham Ribicoff, of Connecticut, denounced “Gestapo tactics in the streets of Chicago.”

Mr Julian Bond, the Negro insurgent leader from Georgia, announcing his delegation’s vote, spoke of “atrocities” in the city. Even the rollcall of the States which nominated Mr Humphrey could begin only over the protests of the New Hampshire, Wisconsin, members. all of whom moved for a recess or adjournment, because of the surrounding violence and the pandemonium in the hall. Representative Carl Albert, of Georgia, the chairman, ignored all the motions and ordered the roll-call to begin amid a huge chorus of boos.