New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-23
THE UTICA CONVFNTTON.

We take it for granted that the paramount
purpose of all the members of the Convention
which meets at Utica on Wednesday will be
to secure such action as will in their judg
ment promote the success of Republican prln-
ciples by aiding in the nomination of candl-
date at Chicago who will be cordially supported
by the entire party, and who will therefore enter
the campaign with the best possible chance
of election. There are, of course, differences
of opinion as to who the nominee should be,
but there should be none as to the qualIfca-
ton of ability to command the solid vote
of the Republican party, or as to the
methods proper to be employed to Sc
cure a nomination. All candid men will
admit that one of those methods is not
the one employed in Pennsylvania of packing
n State Convention with delegates appointed
by county committees and having no claim
to represent the wishes of the people. That
method has not been repeated in this State.
The gathering at Utica will be of a repre-
sentative character. If the delegates from any
district do not reflect the views of the major
ity of the Republicans of that district it will
be because the majority did not take the
trouble TO make their wishes felt in accord
ance with the forms necessary to maintain
PARTY organization. We have, therefore, the
first condition for fair and wise actiOn-a Con-
venti0n fairly constituted. 1t only needs, be-
sides, moderation, good temper and respect
for the rights of the minority and the princi-
Die of district representation in the dOings Of
the Convention to secure for the voice of New
York the weight and respect in the choice Of
the Chicago nominee to which it is entitled
We speak of the principle of district repre-
sentatiOn because there seems to be an apDTe-
hensiOn IN some quarters that the majority of
the Convention, which will undoubtedly be
composed of the friends of ex-Presdent Grant,
may disregard it, and, initiating the bad ex-
ample of Pennsylvania, insist that all the
delegates from New-YOrk shall favor their
candidate They will have the power to do
this-a majority can do almost anything-but
they will not have the right under the call for
the Chicago Convention. That call says
" Republicans and all who will cooperate with
" them in support Of the nominees of the party,
are invited to choose two delegates from
"each Congressional District, four at large
" from each State, two from each Territory
land two from the District of Columbia,
"to represent them in such Convention"
Republicans to choose two delegates from
each Congressional district authorizes the dis
tricts of New-York City and Brooklyn,
through their representatives at Utica, to Sc
lect the delegates for Chautauqua or st. Law
renee. The duty of the Convention is plain.
Ii is to choose the four delegates-at- large and
to provide by its rules the method by which
the representatives of the several Congress
sional districts can assemble separately and
select delegates TO carry out the wishes of
their constituents. To refuse this right of
choice to the districts because some of them
may choose delegates who favor other candi-
dates than the one favored by the majority of
the Convention. or to set aside the verdict of
the districts when once expressed, would be
to violate the foundation principle upon
which National Convention is constituted,
namely, the honest representation of the
wishes and preferences of the party.
1t will be no excuse to plead that the
right of district representation was dis
regarded in Pennsylvania. One wrong does
not Justify another. The errors committed
at Harrisburg need not be repeated at
Utica. Apart from the question of political
right involved. it would be grave mistake to
stifie and pervert the voice of any Congress
siopal district. We are entering upon Presi.