ustxtxb_obs_1972_02_04_50_00011-00000_000.pdf

GALLERY 600 Contemporary Paintings, Sculpture, Prints THE FINEST TRADITIONAL FRAMING Custom Plexiglass and Custom Welded Frames 600 West 28th at Nueces . . . phone 477-3229 enaissance 8t11 & io grantre, kitotin $erfring fine foob nub buffet tundles from 11 a_ m_ sionba u -,*aturtia g .7greakfastl. ;iguffet \(*tule! mibnight 1:30 a. m. 3Trittag 8c aturbag . Quickest land in to fun !feinting -Aritt.av Sitffet likemomemomillimmirsor The Anderson Rules Austin Perhaps the single most significant change in Democratic Party rules presented by the proposed Anderson rules is the precedent of proportional presidential preference representation at the precinct level. This means that each faction of the party, as defined by presidential preference, will have proportional representation in the precinct’s delegation to the county convention. If the pro-Muskie people are 40 percent of the precinct convention, the pro-Humphrey people are 20 percent, the pro-Kennedy are 20 percent, etc., the precinct delegation will reflect those proportions. In the extant rules, it is winner take all. The Anderson rules set a cut-off point of 20 percent and recommend that anyone whose candidate cannot garner 20 percent of the precinct vote then proceed to the caucus of his second-choice nominee. It was suggested at the hearing that the cut-off point be lowered to 10 percent and/or that small factions be permitted to form coalitions. For example, if the McGovern people had 12 percent, they could join the six percent McCarthy group and the four percent Lindsay group to qualify as a 20 percent group entitled to representation at the next level. The major objection to the Anderson rules is that proportional representation stops at the county or district convention level. \(Senatorial district conventions are held in lieu of county conventions in any county that comprises part of more than district level, the Anderson rules allocate a given number of delegates to each precinct and the precincts nominate the delegates. The nominees with the highest votes will be the precinct’s recommendation for delegates to the state convention. There is no requirement that the composition of the delegations to the state convention reflect proportionate presidential preferences. So again, a 55 percent majority can completely shut out a 45 percent minority “send them to Siberia,” in Bob Eckhardt’s phrase. The June, or presidential state convention, whose primary function is to elect delegates to the national convention, has the same composition as the September state convention. At least 75 percent of the total number of delegates must be elected by senatorial district caucuses at the June state convention. The delegates will be elected by a majority vote of those duly elected delegates in attendance at the district caucuses majority rule, second level. The defenders of the Anderson rules say that caucusing by precinct at the county conventionsgives a break to minorities, since precincts are generally racially homogenous. They further say that it is impossible to carry presidential preference all the way up to state convention level, since by that time one is down to two or four delegates per district and there is no way six candidates can be proportionally represented by two delegates. The Anderson rules call for representation of women, young people and minorities in “reasonable relation” to their presence in the state’s total population. Party officials are further instructed to make “every feasible effort” to insure such representation. Although the Fraser Commission suggests a number of affirmative recruiting actions, one man’s feasible effort could still be another man’s challenge delegation. The Anderson rules would also require party officers and convention delegates to sign a loyalty oath pledging to support all Democratic nominees or face removal. This provision might prove a two-edged sword, preventing left-liberals from bolting for a fourth party and conservatives from going to the Republicans. The Anderson rules would also require the SDEC chairman to be elected at the June convention rather than the regular state convention in September. Orr has already said he will resign after the September convention. If he is not forced out of his position before June \(see story re-election fight. Finally, the Anderson rules would enlarge the SDEC by adding the national committeeman and committeewoman, and three elected representatives of the state Young Democrats. Several young people who testified at the Jan. 12 hearing objected to that provision, stating that Young Democrats were not representatives of young people generally. February 4, 1972 11 MARTIN ELFANT Sun Life of Canada 1001 Century Building’ Houston, Texas CA 4-0686 .17 4,44444….