The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-12-13
REPUBLICAN POLITICS.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE IN SESSION.
The ID OF June Next Fixed for Holding the
National Convention ut Chicaes-a Warm
Discussion Over tho Matter or Representa-
ton.
In teleeranh 10 thc DIspatch. ]


WASHINGTON, December l2.-The Repub-
lican National Committee met at the Ar
lington to-day. ID. NJ. Sabine. OF Min
nesoto, was elected permanent chairman.
June 81 was selected as the date for hold
ing the National Convention.
Chicago was selected on the fourth ballot
as the place for holding the Convention.
Mr.. FRYE, OF Maine, then submitted his
proposition for new basis OF representa-
ton at the next National Convention, al
ready published. and supported 1t In
speech. MIR. Frye quoted statistics to show
that the representation from the southern
States, which were anti-Republlcan, was
nearly rs large as that from states winch
were surely Republican, and argued that
his proposition was in the interest OF abso-
lutte Justice. lie did not wish TO be under
stood rs beng antagonistic TO the Republic
cans in southern States. lie dld believe
in intimidation in the South. and II he had
had his way IL would not have existed.
While in Congress he had put his soul into
the task OF maintaining the southern Re-
publicans i'm their rights. and he wished TO
saw 10 representatives from the South that
he had never truckled 10 BourbOns; he
had never melted down his words; he had
called murder murder everywhere, and no
man could charge him with forgetiulness
OF the rights Of any one.
The proposition was finally laid Ove-
temporarily.
At the evening session Mr.. Frye's propo-
sitiOu again came up, and long and heat
ed debate followed. MIR. Hicks. OF Florida,
had raised 4 point OF order, his grounds
being that the proposition had been, in
principle. discussed, voted on, and mega
lived in January last. The Chair declined
70 rule upon the point OF order, and de-
clared the matter open for debate.
After long running discussion OF the
point OF order Mr.. Chandler addressed
himself TO the merits OF the proposition,
which he claimed was sustained by the
sentiment OF the strong Republican COM
munitics from which the Republican party
got the votes TO elect President. That
sentiment was in favor, not OF taking off
representation from the southern States
but OF giving additional representation to
the northern States. That was sentiment
which the committee could not afford to
despise or rule down on Il point OF order.
Ii was a sentiment which could not he
buried out Of sight, but which should be
met fairly and squarely by the voluntary
action OF the southern members OF the
committee.
Mr.. Bradley. Of Kentucky. argued that
the matter had passed from the control Of
the committee. and then, proceeding to the
consideration Of the merits OF the resolu-
ton, he complained that the Republicans
Of the South were tainted for giving no
electoral votes. II the people OF the South
could 20 to the polls and vote as the peo-
Die OF the North could, they would give
electoral votes, He was surprised that II
should be asked to increase the basis OF
representation in one section rs against an
other. for he had always understood that
the Republican party was national party,
which knew no North, no South, no East,
or West. One thing the Republicans OF
the South could do, and that thing they
had done, whether they could give electo-
raj votes or not: they could give their
lives for the cause Of Republicanism.
Mr.. Pierce. Of Rhode Island, spoke in
support of the old basis Of representation,
under which the Republican party had
constantly succeeded. He was opposed to
discriminating against the southern states.
Those states had given the presidency TO
the Republicans i'm 1876. II it had not
been for Florida, South Carolina, and
Louisiana they would have been beaten.
What was the use OF destroying the bridge
which had carried the party overy Was II
safe TO abandon the old basis, which had
served so well, on the very eve OF the con-
test.
Mr.. GofT, Of West Virginia, entered his
protest against the proposition to draw a
dead line" through the country and say:
% North of this line we will advocate Re
publicanism, and south Of it we will turn
the country over to Bourbonism.' The
basis of representation which had given
the Republican party victory in 1860 was
bqllowed with associations Of Lincoln and
Chase and Seward, the founders of the
party. The basis which had given the
narty victory in 1865. 1872, 1876, and 1850
could not be wholly vicious. The south
ern states could and would give electoral
votes for the Republican candidate in 1884.
A motion to refer the whole matter TO
the next National Convention was finally
agreed to-ayes. %; noes, Is.