The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1894-02-28
SOUTHERN REPuRLIcANs
Opposed TO Chairman carter's Plans OF
REORGANIZATION.

OVlIoaG4 ~ -AAl-AA man > A@-AA7 "a
Reorganization.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.- The Republic
cans of the south, according to the state
lnents of their representatives in cou-
gress, viii strenuously oppose the propo-
sition of Chairman Carter of the Re-
publican national committee to change
the plan of organization for the next
national convention. Two plans were
discussed at the recent meeting of the
executive committee in Washington, as
the elimination of the agitation which
has been going on for some time among
northern Republicans, based ON the idea
that as the south gives the Republican
candidates no electoral votes, it is al
lowed undue influence in the nominating
convention
One OF these plans is to allow one dele
gate to the convention for every 1000
votes cast for the Republican candidate
In the preceding presidential election; the
other proposition is to continue the pres
emit representation of two delegates from
each congressional district, and allow an
additional delegate for every 1000 votes.
Either system would materially re-
duce the representation of the southern
states. The arguments against the
change were succinctly expressed by
Representative Thomas Settle of North
Carolina, the only Republican member
from the south now in the city, who is
prominent in the politics of his state and
whose father was a leading southern Re-
publican. Said Mr.. Settle:
The southern Republicans will be UNI
alterably opposed to the change, and
think it very unwise and impolitic to
agitate the matter at this time 1t is an
unjust and unfriendly blow aimed at
southern Republicans by their northern
brethren. Just at this time, when the
Democratic party has repudiated its
pledges, made through the medium of
its state platforms in every southern
state for the last 10 or 90 years, to enact
law for the free and unlimited coinage
of silver as soon as they came into power
nationally, and while they are waging
and resources In their proposed tar
lift legislation, it seems that wis
dom would suggest it was time
to extend helping hand to
southern Republicans rather than
strike them blow. We fight against
odds to which northern Republicans are
strangers. The enforcement of unjust
election laws disfranchises tens of thou
sands of Republican voters in the south.
1t would be a strange proceeding, one
not in keeping with the history and ira
H-S4O1@S
ton laws and Democratic methods by
denying these disfranclised Republicans
a voice in nominating conventions. This
is done if we are only accorded repre-
sentation upon the tasis of votes re-
turned or actually cast The Republican
party has always protested against DEM
ocratic suppression of Republican votes
in the south, yet some of its leaders pro-
pose to deny us representation in party
councils. just in proportion as we are
denied the right of voting by Democratic
chicanery and fraud.
"Acting under the advice of northern
leaders we ran no electoral ticket in
Alabama at the last election, that the
Populists might, if possible, overpowcr
the Democrats. There are other in
stances of the same sort yet if the pro-
posed plan is carried ont, such course,
when taken for the interest of the party,
would cut down our representation in
conventions. Another argument against
the change proposed by Chairman Carter
is that it would increase the number of
delegates in convention, while in the
past the weakest point in conventions
has been that they were too large to be
practically working parliamentary par
ties"