The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1883-12-12
wHEELIH4, ". VA, DECEMBER u. 1883.
Representation In the Republican Con
tentIou.


Looking to the general interests Of the
Republican party the INTELLIoEScER has
favored a change in tho basis oil represen-
tation in the Republican National Conven-
lion. Voting strength in the National
Convention should bear sone relation to
voting strength at the polls. States in
which, from whatever cause, the Repub'
lican vote is small and whose electoral vote
ia almost certain 10 90 to the nominees oil
another party, should be willing to accept
representation with some regard to these
local conditions.
Owing to the disorganized state CT the
Republican party in the South delegated
ftom that section are more easily set up
than elsewhere and less likely to come to
the convention representiDgthe sentiments
of constituencies. A candidate having the
active support OF an administration dis
posed to use lis power in his behalf might
without great difficulty enter the Conven'
ton with IN almost solid South bound 10
him BY the strong tie Of patronage.
1t has already been shown, for example,
that under the present spportionment the
four Southern States of Texas, Mississippi,
Louisiana, and Georgia, which poll
ed $4,000 votes for Garfield, will
have in convention eighty-four
delegates while the six States oil
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,
Maxachusettes, Rhode Island and Con-
nec.icut, polling 4l4,OOO Garfield votes
will have but seyenty.six votes. OF the
four Southern States named not one will
give Republican electoral vote. OF the
six Northern States named all went Re-
publican in 1850, and will probably be,
five will certainly be, Republican in 1884.
Much more Of the same kind might be
shoRn.
Under the present system we might have
ticket made by States from which we
woull not get single electoral vote. This
is manifestly unfair, impolitc and not
conducive to the welfare Of the party. II
is condition which might at time Of
high feeling split Republican convention
and, worst Of all, split it on sectional
line. 1t is condition almost as danger
Gus as It is unwise.
Discussing this question year ago the
ISrELLlGENcER,in reply tosomep lausibleo OBJ
jetions, took the broad ground that the con-
vention ought as nearly as possible to rep.
resent the Republican party as it is and not
attempt to represent the Republican party
as 1t ought to be-the practical against the
sentimental. There ought to be a power.
fl Republican party in the South, but
there Is not and 1t will not come through
the mere fact Of formidable and menac'
ing representation in the convention. The
proof that 1t will not come in this way is to
be found in the notable fact that in all these
years OF equal representation in conven.
ton It has not come-in fact the Republi-
can party in the South has been decaying.
There are two or three Southern States in
which there is little blue sky, but 1t isn't
big enough ITO make Dutchman q pair Of
breaches"
Its urged against the proposed depart
ure that 1t would discourage Southern Re-
publicans. The encouragement would
hardly 20 beyond those patriots who aie
anxious to go to the national convention
in the hope that 1t may give them a short
cut to Federal patronage. Those Southern
Republicans who desire only Republican
success, and who wish 10 make sure OF 1t,
will readily acquiesce in any plan 10
strengthen the party at the out
set Of the campaign. 1t might happen that
West Virginia Republicans wonld have
less voice in tho convention, but
that would be small matter II
the general interests Of the party were ad.
yarced. In the Electoral College West
Virginia Republicans have not been hay.
ing any voice at all. II representation in
the convention BIO apportioned with regard
to the Republican vote, Republicans in
every State will have an incentive to in.
crease their vote. Then increased rep.
resentation will come as the reward Of
merit.
Amatter ofso much importance ought
to be discussed and determined without
reference to candidates; but the fact that
the proposition now comes before the
national committee from Senator Frye, a
friend Of Mr.. Blaine, has at once aroused
the opposition Of some Of the friends Of
other possible candidates.