New-York tribune., 1876-12-12
REPUBLICAN, REORGANIzATIOM
LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE OF THE REPUBLICAN
REFORM CLUB To THE REPUBLICAN STATE COM

LETTER FROM THE COMMITTEE OF THE REPUBLICAN
REFORM CLUB To THE REPUBLICAN STATE COM
MIrrEE
The Committee of the Republican Reform
Club has addressed the following letter on the reoFgan
zation Of the Republican party in this city TO the epu
eau State Committee. Il Is signed by Dorman p Eaton
Francis \. stout. Henry L. Burnett, Ew0od IL Ihorhe
James +. Dwight, and Elliott F. Shepard:
GESTIE,IRS In view OF the fact that the election OF
new General Committee by the Republican district ssO
catiOns this city fixed for the lZth lnst - ioo
ribe refrain from an earnest expression VI V
surprse your long delay 20 pass upon the
applications which have been mode TO yon TOT Ieor
y0n and ourselves which held at the Fltn Avenue
Hotel just previous to the NoyemDer eieSton, Va 9T
appointment by the Republican Reform Club, and
e. ieraly with views the discharge OF tns duties
imposed upon us Dy that respeeIDie ao @ al III b.nds
viii remember that there was an accotd on aii uuhis'
that the questions which raised had better DC 1e
lcrrcd unill after tue .iectOn, Mneh ~ NC md
purpose further Sing them upon your atteoh nu
perhaps upon the attention OF the entire Kephplen
party of the state II tue latter should appear 10 DC an
cyRdient method. The points We theh nlle, Whfh III
the main cover what we regard Us most Important
l. That lie organization Of the Republican party in the
has been too RESTRICTIVE Of individual Independence auu
of AN open effective expression or opinion ne Elu
raj result VI which Is that large number OF eAeeueht
Ecpuhrans have prevented from taking part n the
primary assemblies, aud the management LAS Lleh 700
durra them I'm a spirit and 20 results wbleh nave WEAK
cned be parry In the esteem VI many OF us NOfIhest
H. We particularly object TO the ninth article Of the
District Association constitution, In so lr especially as
II rrunirrs "a pledge to sustain all nominations IN
discriminatory, and apparently a pledge never 10
contest The (usurped OF aDuse authority ~ me s az
socla0us. We pOilted OUT that men WHO'S haeuiy 20
Republican principles Is as unquestOnable, ahd whose
character high as that OF any members oil lheSo s
soctAous. have for good reasons declared tnat such
provisions compromise their manhood, ana VIII mere
fore not allow them to become meuiOets. Inego IS
pledges it seems tend 10 promote seffle
itpif{ not consistent with toe true character
party acceptable 10 that higher eiIlzehsnp
Ls.T
needs. Now, thuk thai the result Oi tue election nls
made the consideration Of these views and the apphca-
top of the proper rvnedy such evils all the more m
puftant TIE parry needs the confidence anu cgOpcIa
Hon n an s members and especially of such Of them as
most strongly urge the very views winch we submitted
10 YOU. Such VIII never accept ana pinul5 IoiloH
tbc lead OF small body held together by rules aud
dcs so restrictive free and manly expression or
opinions. Fidelity 10 Republican pIlhches alu con, CON
rmity To She substantial policy Of tho party should be
the test OF a right to membership and hearing ia the
tpuhlic.u district associations ana primary dsSelDhcs
We do not severe the Application OF such tests
may be- provided only they really tests OF sincerity,
good faith. and devotion 10 Republican policy aud pm
cpes. BGt our oplni0n' when they 80 lutlhtf tIel
end to give authority the inferior and the unworthy,
aud tend also To and eXspcrato those pure ana
support should bo the strength it h the hope OF our
parry such certainly ought TO take more part III
It's practical affairs ana would 10 80 under proper Or
It IS not however. purpose now to reargue these
msters but to learn your decision and wishes, aud II
pOs,ibc In the simple and direct manner, TO ad-
the objects of our appointment We baye NOS iO
gotten thai OF your members stated that the points
we raised concerned the local party government IN tins
city, in relations concerning winch the etate CON-
n.i.ee could not tahe any action. We venture 70
suggest that they concern the welfare OF the
parry In the whole state, and are en,
Bcses III they directly affected the strength OF the par
~ only IN the city, think that your official ami repre-
sentative position would make IL emiueuty proper lhat
should taka part In correcting such serious evils as
we have brought attention; Tor your views even
If not enforce, orders, could not tai 10 nave
much weight with those persons who conio the city or
ennizadon We respectfully invite speedy expression
Act- York, Dec 3, 1876.