Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-12-15
Ks 4 AX
POST +. MTELLIGENCER.


POST MTELlkl3EEvCEk.
seNAToR fgYE,s PR0PossT1oN.
The proposition of Senator Frye to
change the basis OF representation In
the next National Republican Conven-
ton was defeated at the National Com
uitase meeting Last Wednesday by the
adoption of an amendment, referring
the question to the Convention itself.
The delegates viii tLe1efor. st-,ud d.
heretofore apportioned by the Commit
tee. Notwithstanding the refusal u tie
Committee to decide the question, ana
arguments against its adoption WHICH
we're offered, ws believe it Is step To
vard ths enforcement If the only Just
principle of apportioning representa-
ton in a party National Convention.
At present delegates are apportioned
among the states without regard to
party strength, but according to repre-
ssntation in Congress, or, practically
according to population. AStste which
il largely Republican, and which may
surely be depended on to give its electo-
raj votes TO the candidates Of that par
~. has no more voice in the selection
of a candidate than the Stats which,
while having equal Congressional rep
resentation, could not by any oontin-
eency be brought TO give majority Tor
tho Republican candidate. The South
10 almost solidly Democratic. II 10 too
much to expect that more than three
States, il, indeed, any can be carried
for the Republican candidate next year.
Yet the South goes into the Republican
Convention with nearly half the dele
gates. Il can, by combining with two
or three Northern States, dictate ~
nominee of the Republican party man
who may be objections bic to the States
BY whose votes, IL at all. he IL to be
elected. In shsrt, a small minority OF
Republicans at the South can. through
the machinery Of representation an at
present constituted, demand and force
the nomination 0f candidate to whose
support. in the electoral college, they
cannot promise single vote.
Senator Frys's proposition is fair
and practical solution of the problem.
he proposes that represent ,tiop in the
National Convention shall be based in
part On the actual votes cast ia each
State for the Republican electors at the
last preceding Presidential election.
Each State il still to be given four del
egates and each Congressional district
enc, instead of two az now, with one
additional for each 10000, or major
fraction Ut that number of votes cast
within it's limits for Republican elect
ors. The gain 10 the Northern States
BY this plan would be lib delegates
while the south would lose 81. The
total membership Of the Convention
would be increased about 80. IL will be
observed that even under Senator Frye's
proposition the South still has more
dslcgates than the Republican votes
cast justly entitle her to send. She still
has ono for each Congressional district
which Is more than several States would
be entitled to were the principle sought
to he partially attained by Senator Frye
carried out fully, and each State of The
South 10 &C corded four delegates At large
a. heretofore. We believe the ratio Of
representation in party conventions
will ultimately be based absolutely snd
exclusively upon the voting strength Of
the party in each State, and that it viii
be made impossible for States which d.
not aid in eleoting the President to die
tate who the man shall be.