Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-18
FROM WASHINGTON.
NATIONAL REPUBLICAN CONVEN.
TON.
VIM. E. Chambers Views-What Mr.
Washburne Thinks-Senator Losan's
Ideas of Representation.
WASHINGTON, Jan Il.

of Connecticut occupied the chair. He pre-
scented the resignation of Dorsey as secre-
tarv. and it was accepted. Geo. w. HOOKER
of Vermont was then nominated as secre-
,arv by Mr.. Enos of Wisconsin. and John A
Martin of Kansas, by Mr.. Pierce of Rhode
Island Hooker, however, declined the
nomination and then on motion OF Chandler:
Martin of Kansas was unanimously eiecteo
secretary.
On motion of Senator Logan the thanks OF
the committee were unanimously rendered to
Geo. W. Hooker. assistant secretary, for the
able anil efficient manner in which he has
discharged the duties of that office.
The committee then called for the report
of the special committee, appointed year
ago to present a plan for the choice of dele
gates to the next National republican con-
vention.
VIM Chandler, chairman of the special
committee. stated that at the meeting last
night it had been decided TO submit TO the
full committee today number of propos-
irions to be voted by the association.
They were printed in the National Republi
can this morning. He discussed them. He
believed it better to run the risk of having
convention of 400 delegates than to reduce
the number. The trouble was not in the
delegates, but in the thousands with which
the del gates had been surrounded IN all
National conventions from 1860 to 1880. He
favored the idea of making the Forty-seventh
Congress the basis of representation and OF
having district delegates chosen at the con-
ventions within each district if not they
should be chosen bv subdivision of the
State conventions. He was of the decided
opinion that al conventions should be held at
least thirty DAYS before the Nation al conven-
ton and within sixty days.
Mitchell of Oregon, inquired what plan
was suggested for contesting the election of
delegates.
Chandler said that that matter should be
left to the republicans of the States and dis
tricts. He did not believe il well to antici-
pate contests.
CAREY Of Mar, land, inquired who were to
determine whether district delegates were to
be elected in district c)nveni ms. b lndler
ii II at that won d be lettlfor the determine
ton of the republicans of the district
1t was subject which lie thought this
committee could not safely go into.
Washburne of Minnesota ought there
would be less difficulty if the committee
would Law down the rule and mark clearly
and unmistakably what was expected Of every
State and district, instead of leaving every
thing at loose ends.
Chandler-''How would you do it in alb
sence of the knowledge as to the manner Of
organiZation!"
Washburn-"If it cannot be done it shows
tina, there is a fatal weakness inherent in the
scheme"
Garey-"We should leave no option at all,
but lay down clearly what is to be done"
Chandler-''I think It would be dangerous
and impolite for US to say who shall repre-
sent republicans of State or district. The
only safe way is to leave the matter where it
is"
The motion of Ran, member of the sub
committee, stated the views which he enter
tanned, As shown in the plan proposed by
Him. Mr.. Logan moved a substitute for all
the low proportion that the basis of repr esen-
tation shall remain as it has heretofore been.
This plan, he said, was based on the theory
that the people be represented; the theory on
which Presidents were elected except that
territories were included.
There was no principle in the idea of hav-
ing delegates chosen in proportion to the
number of republicans in the district There
might be some advantage in it, but no prin-
cple. 1t wolll be like the tide which Gibbs
and flows. There would be no stability in
II.
The State of New York would not at one
time have half as many republican delegates
perfectly astounding proposition. His hon
est opinion was that if the principle of the
resolutions adopted by the national conven-
ton were carried out, the basis of represent
alton would not be changed.
1t simply meant equalization according to
the districts of the United States. Nobody
was going to be hurt by allowing the old sys-
TEN to stand, and somebody would be hurt
ifTt was changed. Somebody would be dis
tranchsed tolthat extent. and heart burnings
and ill feeling be created. Every district,
whether it could or could not elect a repub-
lican presidential elector. was entitled to be
be represented at the National republican
convention.
In conclusion, he modified his motion,
making 1t The basis of representation shall
be two delegates for each senator, two dele
gates for each representative in Congress.
two delegates for each territory, and two del
egates for the District of Columbia.
The debate which at some length showed
wide divergence of opinion as to the basis of
representation in the National convention.
and several members argued IN favor of adj
dltional represention for republican States
and districts.
The amendments to Logan's substitute
were, however, finally Withdrawn.
After further discussion Mr. Martain of
Kansas offered resolution that there shall
be an additional representation in the next
National republican convention based either
on republican vote for President or on re-
publican members for Congress
After considerable debate vote was taken
on Logan's substitute, re-ultin :, yeas %,
nays. 10. SO the present plan of represen-
tation was retained.
EVENING SESSION.
At the evening session the first six propo-
sitions having been disposed of by The adop-
ton of the substitute the seventh was taken
up as follows: Shall State delegates be
elected at popular delegate State cunven-
tom"
This was decided affirmatively and also
made to apply to the territories and the Dis
trict of Columbia
The eighth proposition was amended to
read a. follows. and thus agreed to
Resolved, That the republicans of various
congressional districts shall have option of
choosing their delegates at their separate
conventions held within their districts. or by
subdivision of State conventions; but all
district delegates selected shall be accredited
by officers of such district conventions
The ninth proposition was, State conven-
tons shall be held not less than 80 nor more
than 60 days before the National convention ="
Agreed to without discussion.