DEMOCRATIC DEADLOCK

Southland Times, Issue 19290, 8 July 1924, Page 5

DEMOCRATIC DEADLOCK

GRAVE CONSEQUENCES CONSTITUTIONAL EFFECT THE 81-PARTY SYSTEM. (By Telegraph—Press Assn. —Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YORK, July 6. (Received July 7, 9.25 p.m.) Radical measures are being threatened by both factions at the Democratic Convention. The Smith group, to which are now gathered all the anti-McAdoo forces, declare that if the deadlock is not ended, they will unite and nominate, if possible, a compromise candidate, the one most prominently mentioned being Senator Robinson. The Smith forces now appear to have one major aim, namely to defeat Mr McAdoo. The latter’s supporters, in any of whom scorn all talk of a compromise, dclaring that Mr McAdoo must be nominated, are even ready to ask the Convention to disband without choosing a Presidential nominee. They would be willing to offer Mr McAdoo as an Independent Presidential candidate directly to the voters. Other hotheads among the McAdoo group threaten to bolt from the Convention if anyone not acceptable to Mr McAdoo is named. The country in the meantime is aghast over the Democratic disruptions, which some consider as spelling destruction to one of the major parties, the existence of which is held to be so necessary for the successful operation of the American Government upon the bi-party system. TO END IMPASSE. A FORWARD MOVE. MR McADOO’S OFFER. NEW YORK, July 6. (Received July 7, 7.20 p.m.) Some 15 of the 16 candidates for the Democratic Presidential nomination have approved of a statement declaring that each will willingly release all delegates committed to him as competely as if his name had been withdrawn from the Convention. Mr McAdoo is the only signatory missing. Mr McAdoo accepted the proposal to release his delegates, but with a proviso substituting a majority for the two-thirds rule, and the abrogation of the rule that the State delegation votes as a unit. Mr McAdoo also stipulated that with a resumption of voting, the lowest man should be dropped at each ballot, until the nomination was made. He asserted that a practical plan to end the deadlock was essential, irrespective of its effect on the individual candidate. Both Mr McAdoo’s and Governor Smith’s supporters are, however, standing firm. LA FOLLETTE’S DECISION. FAR-REACHING IMPORTANCE. SKILFUL MANOEUVRING. NEW YORK, July 7. (Recevied July 7, 9 p.m.) Senator La Follette’s announcement in connection with the Presidential candidacy, becomes accentuated in importance for several reasons, the chief being the existence of the deep division in the Democratic Convention, which, it is considered, has seriously reduced the prospects of a Democratic success at the coming election. It is held that the Democrats, who might have commanded great national support if they had chosen to make Governmental corruption the chief campaign issue, have distinctly alienated important sections of the electorate through its religious dissensions. Senator La Follette, moreover, has skilfully manoeuvred to gather himeelf great support by declaring that his candidature will be independent and the third party will be formed only after the election and should circumstances warrant it. Therefore he is enabled to secure support from various factions among the Radicals and Progressives, including the dissatisfied NorthWestern agriculturists and Socialists, who, incidentally, may endorse bis candidature officially. Labourites and even Communists, although he attempted to repudiate the latter, will support him. Senator La Follette also can expect support from the Liberal Republicans, who are incensed at Republican corruption in office, from Democrats who have been alienated from the Democratic Party over the religious issue and fr/m a floating vote of all others who are 'generally dissatisfied with the major parties. Senator La Follette will probably not secure election, but is most likely to make the ultimate result extremely uncertain.