DEMOCRAT CONVENTION

Grey River Argus, 30 June 1932, Page 5

DEMOCRAT CONVENTION

ROOSEVELT’S MAJORITY Is It Sufficient ? (Aus. & N.Z. Cable Assn). CHICAGO, June 28. The rules of the last Democratic Convention, requiring a two-thirds majority for the Presidential nomination, were adopted by the Rules Committee to-day, after a compromise was cast aside. The compromise would have abrogated thy two-thirds rule, if a deadlock obtained after six ballots. The Roosevelt movement showed its full strength for the first time, when on the Convention floor, it was able to command 524 votes upon a resolution to seat the contesting delegation from Louisiana. This delegation was pledged to vote against Roosevelt’s nomination. The Convention under its rules adopts resolutions by a simple majority, but nominates the Presidential candidate only, by two-thirds majority, thus while the Roosevelt forces were able to defeat the seating of the Louisiaua delegation unfavourable to him, the vote taken showed that thus far, he commands only 638 delegates. He needs 770 for nomination. The second test came on the seating of the contesting delegation to Minnesota with circumstances similar to Louisiana. The Roosevelt forces were again successful registering a strength of 658 votes.

Then once more, the Roosevelt and anti-Roosevelt factions clashed, this time over the choice of the permanent Chairman of the Convention, the former asking for the resignation of Senator Walsh, and the latter group offering Joette Shouse, of Kentucky. The speaker, on behalf of Walsh, recounted his work in an investigation of the oil scandals, and cried: “In a foreign country he would be knighted for his services.”

After an hour’s wrangling, the vote was taken. Walsh got 626 and Shouse 528. Walsh was escorted to the platform. where he was vastly cheered. Thus far the Democrats have lived up to all expectations. They have disagreed on every possible question, even apparently the simple one of the choice of presiding officer. Mr Walsh was much greyer and older than when he presided over the drawn-out convention in 1924. He began his address by outlining the problems facing the nation, but the delegates. who had no luncheon, began to leave the stadium. The dinner hour already approaching, the Convention adjourned until noon to-morrow. A Serious Split ON LIQUOR ISSUE. THE NOMINATION STILL UNCERTAIN. CHICAGO, June 28. The Democratic Convention Resolutions Committee broke up late on Tuesday night after -i heated discussion over the prohibition issue. The meeting ended without an agreement on either a plank or a plan for its consideration by the Convention. Long after the Convention itself had adjourned, ami far into the night, Mr James Farley, continued his effor*s to arrange some deal with such dele gat-ions as Illinois, California, Oklahoma to pledge their support for Governor Roosevelt’s nomination. Illinois is unpledged. California and Oklahoma States are supporting Mr Garner and Mr Murray respectively. These three States, with their 124 votes, would bo ample to turn the tide; whereas any protracted deadlock after the balloting for the nomination begins, would seriously lesser Mr Roosevelt’s chances of success. The Resolutions Committee was tonight in a turmoil over the prohibition plank, namely, as between tire repeal of the dry law and its re-sub mission. There is a possibility that the nomi noting speeches may be made before the platform can be completed and. reported to the Convention. Everyone is anxious to have the Convention end at the latest, by Friday, for during the present depression the delegates are without funds for any protracted stay in Chicago. The money question, moreover. playing even a more serious part in the affairs of the Party. No candidate would have much prospect of success in November unless he can assure full Party coffers, and the question bbeing now asked, vho among the aspirants has rich and generous friends.