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I was adhering to the loftiest governmental
principles. And, I am willing to admit that
this seems practical because I realize that
some day my party could cease to be the
party of reform we could cease to be the
party working for the good of and render-
ing the best service to the people all the
people rich and poor low and high
pink and beige. I realize that my party
could change and become a party wedded to
the anti-Roosevelt or an ti- Wilson or anti-
Jeffersonian principles. We could change
and even be anti-Lincoln. And if we do
then we should become the minority. We
would deserve it. But this Convention ap-
pears bent on hastening the day without
our deserving such a fate and without the
vast majority of the other party deserving
such ascendancy.
It appears to me that this sort of gerry-
mandering, section 3.03 this changing of
all the rules with the idea of putting into
power more representatives of a party
which has not been able to sell itself to its
community this is not the proper way to
change this state around.
Let parties change the people before
we change their representatives. A party
should strengthen itself by working and
serving the best interests of the people of
this State not by working through a "non-
political Constitutional Convention."
I earnestly submit, Mr. Chairman and
fellow delegates, we are misusing this op-
portunity to write a good constitution if
our aim is to strengthen one political party
which has not shown the people that they
deserve to be so strengthened. I submit
that the best government possible is the
one that the people will support in fair
elections on a community-wide basis. I will
admit that a regional or state basis would
be better, Delegate Byrnes better, but not
now practical. So don't misuse our oppor-
tunity here by using the "non-partisan"
label to accomplish highly political and
partisan purposes.
I am sorry I had to say this, but I felt
I had to, and I have said it.
THE CHAIRMAN: Are there any ques-
tions to the sponsor of the amendment?
Delegate Bennett.
DELEGATE BENNETT: Mr. Chair-
man, how could anyone use so many words,
speak so long, without telling us specifically
what party was involved? Would you please
enlighten us?
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Storm.
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DELEGATE STORM: What party? Do
you mean, Mr. Bennett, my party or the
party that is getting the benefit here?
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Bennett.
DELEGATE BENNETT: Either one.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Storm.
DELEGATE ARMOR: I have a question.
THE CHAIRMAN: Just a second.
Delegate Storm had not replied to the
previous question.
DELEGATE STORM: Well, I will admit
it, I am a Democrat.
(Applause.)
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate
DELEGATE STORM: But honestly I
do not want to consider that every minute
down here and read everything with sus-
picion. I just do not want to do it that way.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Storm, do
you yield to a question from Delegate
Armor?
DELEGATE STORM: Yes.
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Armor.
DELEGATE ARMOR: Delegate Storm,
yesterday morning one of our honorable
delegates mentioned a load of baloney. Is
this the second load?
THE CHAIRMAN: Delegate Storm.
DELEGATE STORM: Well, friend, Max,
do you remember when we were young men
together, fighting, when I was really like
some of the young fellows here, I was
really a reformer. I am still a reformer,
and I do not know whether you would call
this a second load or not.
THE CHAIRMAN: Are there any fur-
ther questions?
Delegate White.
DELEGATE WHITE: Delegate Storm,
I appreciate your views on the minority
and majority parties. Would you permit
your daughter to marry a member of a mi-
nority group excuse me, I mean a mem-
ber of a minority party?
DELEGATE STORM: I have wondered
about this and I am very serious. I should
not well, yes, I will. My youngest daugh-
ter was very much in love with, I do not
know what party this young fellow was a
member of, but he was of a minority group
that I think should not be classed a mi-
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