Omaha daily bee., 1890-05-28

1'HE BEE sent TO each member Of the republi-
can state central committee card requesting
their views on the action taken by the con-
ference, especially in regard to the resolu-
tons on proxies and an early convention.
Below are given the replies so far received.
UnaitcrabIy Opposed to Proxies.
CRETE, Neb., May A.-To the Editor of
TmE BEE: In response to your inquiry, beg
leave 10 state that / am in accord with the
action of the conference respecting proxies.
Some twelve years ago 1 introduced the
resolution at a meeting of the central com
mittce which has since been appended to
every state republican call for convention,
viz. that no proxies should be recognized ex-
cept such as were held by persons residing in
the counties where the delegate was elected.
Prior to that time certain men had been in
the habit Of gathering up proxies for several
counties and the unorganized territory. The
resolution stopped that evil. But of late
years other evils have crept in which should
be rcmedied. When county conventions, by
nearly a unanimous vote, have instructed
delegates to the state convention to support
certain candidate, we have seen the instruc-
tiOns brazenly violated aud the people
instead of being fairly represented
have been woefully misrepresented. |
think the committee should recommend
that no proxies be recognized, but that the
duly elected delegates present should be en-
powered to cast the entire vote of the delega-
tion While this would avoid the evils above
named it would work no injury to any county
IN the state.
AS to an early convention. That is ques-
tion susceptible of an honest difference of
opinion. l do not believe the republican par
ty is afraid of an early convention, neither
should 1t nominate men who cannot stand the
test of a long campaign or the most circum-
spect investigation or criticism. In my opin-
ion July is too early date. Itwould entail
too much time and expense upon the candi-
dates; it would throw us into a needless polit-
ical campaign almost in midsummer of almost
four months duration, which would more or
less infringe upon the regular routine of bust
ness. 1t strikes me that convention held
the middle of August would be an ''early con-
Venton,' and ought to satisfy the cray
ing of the most ambitious politician or the
most faStidiOuS farmer in the state. While
In the main am fully in sympathy with the
views entertained by the leaders of the So
called anti-monopoly conference and believe
the committee should seek advice and council
from true and tried republicans, do think
that, in the implied threat in the resolution,
the conference arrogated to itself power
which exceeds any authority which said con-
ference ever received from the people whom
it claims TO represent | believe the commit
tee is fully aware of the sentiment of the
rank and file of the party and is wise enough,
patriotic enough, and has the interest of the
success of the party close enough to its heart
to call convention at a reasonable and
Seasonable time, without being placed in the
attitude of being an enemy of the people or
Coerccd by a threat of some men who are no.
tOriously noted as having been standing can
didates for some Office in nearly every county,
state and congressional convention. | am,
respectfully yours, Fl. M. WELLS.