Document:LP News Number 21 (July-August 1974)

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Dallas Convention Attended by 300

Well over 300 delegates and interested spectators attended the national Libertarian Party convention in sweltering Dallas, Texas, during June 12-16. The Texas LP sponsored the event which was only the second "official business" convention in the Party's short history. Despite early disputes over the Credentials Committee report, the convention was marked by a remarkably high degree of camaraderie and cooperation between the various factions of the libertarian movement.

An enlarged and improved platform was hammered out by the delegates during long sessions lasting well into night and, on one occasion, early morning. Debate on the platform was often prolonged and always serious but rarely did animosity rise to the surface. As with the founding convention of the Libertarian Party in 1972 delegates seems genuinely interested in each others' comments and argument as they unto the difficult task of applying libertarian principles to contemporary social problems.

Committees Meet

On Wednesday and Thursday, the three convention committees, Credentials, Constitution and Bylaws, and Platform, met to prepare their reports to the general sessions of the convention. The Platform Committee, chaired by California LP Chairman Ed Clark, attracted the most attention with over 100 people sitting in on the proceedings. The Platform Committee set the tone for the entire convention as its members worked around the clock developing planks that were acceptable to all elements of the Party.

Bill Westmiller chaired the Constitution and By-Laws Committee which recommended some major changes in the LP Constitution. Most of these recommendations were approved by the convention with relatively little debate once the Credentials report was accepted. The most significant amendment to the LP Constitution changes the business LP convention from even-numbered years to the fall of odd-numbered years. This was instituted primarily to allow for the nomination of Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates early enough for the LP to qualify for the ballot in those states where a later convention would have prevented us from doing so.

One offshoot of the new odd-year business convention is that this years' Party officers will have a one-year term rather than two-year term of office. The alternative of a three-year term was debated and narrowly defeated with many delegates option for the one-year term simply because it will provide a check by the Party on how the national officers are carrying out their responsibilities.

Business Meetings To Be On Odd Years

Other changes in the Constitution call for a doubling in the size of the National Executive Committee and an increase in the number of delegates to the regular convention to approximately 400. Also, alternate delegates to the conventions may number as many as the respective states choose.

Platform Debate

Numerous changes were made in the LP Platform (the LP is the only major political party to adopt a new platform every two years rather than once every four years). The debate on the taxation plank was the longest and most heated of the convention. The text of this plank was ultimately unanimously adopted and it reflects the spirit of cooperation among the delegates in Dallas:

"Since we believe that all persons are entitled to keep the fruits of their labor, we are opposed to all government activity which consists of the forcible collection of money or goods from individuals in violation of their individual rights. Specifically, we support:

a) those who challenge the payment of taxes on legal and constitutional grounds; and b) the eventual repeal of all taxation.

"We oppose as involuntary servitude any legal requirements forcing employers or business owners to serve as tax collectors for federal, state, or local tax agencies."

The convention adopted strong planks favoring emphasis on reparations in criminal cases (as opposed to emphasis on punishment) and in opposition to involuntary commitment to mental institutions. Two proposed amendments to the United State Constitution, the Liberty Amendment, was also endorsed.

Officers Elected

The race for national Chairman of the LP was a spirited one and continued on an informal but active basis from the beginning of the convention on Wednesday through to the election on Saturday afternoon. The two candidates, Ed Crane of California and Scott Royce of Virginia, along with their supporters campaigned continuously, meeting with state delegations and individuals in an attempt to win support. A major debate in the campaign centered around the proposed location of the national headquarters of the LP.

Crane eventually won the Chairmanship, garnering over 80% of the vote. In other elections Andrea Millen, former Chairwoman of the FLP in New York, won an unopposed term as Vice-Chairwoman. Bill Westmiller of California defeated Abby Goldsmith of Florida for Secretary, and John Draft ran unopposed for Treasurer.

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