New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-09-25
SENATOR 9.iLLERS SUGGESTIONS.

Senator Millers proposition for a radical re-
organization of the party machinery was a strik-
ing illustration of Republican independence
and free speech. The evils of the present sys-
TEN have doubtless been apparent to some who
besitated to be the first to expose them. The
question had not been agitated in the news
papers, and the action taken 10y the Convention
was not the result of pressure from the out
side. Senator Miller, having considered the
subject and having concluded that the time had
arrived to speak, did so, taxing not only the
party but the whole country into his confidence.
The promptness with which the Convention
took action looking toward an adoption OF such
of these suggestions as careful consideration
shall approve, showed the readiness with which
the Republican party receives new ideas.
There is q personal aspect of the matter, also,
which is interesting and significant There
have been United States Senators whose chief
anxiety was to keep the party machinery as 1t Is,
and to obtain control Of it. Senator Miller,
who is probably not without political ambition,
nevertheless tells the party that it has out
grown its methods and advises it to throw open
its doors wider and let all the people in. This
is certainly not Senator who is scheming to
control State committees and conventions by
manipulation. There is q breadth and strength
in this way of dealing with the object which
must attract admiration.
1t was not to be expected that the statement
of such plan should be burdened at the out
set with too much detail. These can be worked
out between now and the time of the next Con-
vention. There is certainly no objection to be
made to large convention, except the physi-
cal difficulty of controlling it and conducting
its business. But this is not found insur-
mountable in other States. The Convention
which nominated Mr.. Robinson the other day in
Massachusetts numbered ,309 delegates, nearly
three times as many as the Richfeld Conven-
ton. and Of these all but twelve were present,
showing remarkable degree of interest in the
gathering, which cannot be attributed solely to
hostility to Buterism. There is probably no
State where the general interest in politics is
go strong and where the town-meeting idea,
which Is the substance of Senator Miller's plan,
is 30 well developed nh in Massachusetts and
the rule Of large conventions is doubtless both
an effect and help here, at the same time
The Democratic Convention which nominated
Butler last year was even larger, consisting of
LABS delegaes. Nevertheless" as Mr.. Beecher
conventions.
Is there any good reason why We should
not have convention of this slze in New
York if to do so would popularize the
party councils and stimulate the Republican
massesf simple change In the method
of representation is all that would 5e required.
The present system gives each Assembly district
one delegate, then adds delegate for every
/ 800 Republican votes and delegate for every
fraction of 800 above $50 cast at the preced-
ing Presidential election. Since 1880 the State
Convention has numbered 496 delegates. A
lowering of the unit of representation 10, say,
500 Republican votes instead of 1000, would
give, on a basis of 100000 Republican votes
next year, a convention of 1, 400 or 1.500 menu
beers. The addition Of LOCO delegates to the
Convention would simply mean the exclusion
Of an equal number of spectators, who are