The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1894-02-28

" NeHlNbIoN, " w., IcD' -h-Illc
Republicans OF tho eouth, according to
the statements OF their representatives
i'll ConGrcsa, will Enormously oppose
tho proposition Of Chairman Carter, OF
tho Republican national committee, to
change tho plan Of organization for the
next national convention. Tho plans
were discussed at the recent meeting OF
tho executive committeeman in Wash
inGlon "a the elimination OF tho a2ita-
ton which has been going on for some
time among northern Republicans
based on the idea that us the south gives
Republican candidates no electoral
votes, it is allowed undue influence in
tho nominating convention. Ono OF
these plans is TO allow one delegate TO
tho, convention for every 1000 votes
cast Tor the Republican candidate in the
preceding presidential election; the
other proposition is to continue tho
present representation OF two delegates
IRON each congressional district and
allow an additional delegate for every
I,U0O votes. Either system would ma
tGriGlly reduce the representation oil
tho southern statca.
Tho arguments against tho change
were succinctly expressed to-day by
Representative Thomas Settle, OF North
Carolina, tho only Republican momber
from the south now in tho city, who is
prominent in tho politics OF his state,
and whose father was Il leading southern
Republican. Said Alr. Settle: Tho
southern Republicans will be unatcr-
ably opposed to the change. and think
1t very unwiso and Impolitic TO agitate
the matter at this time. 1t is all unjust
and untriendly blow aimed at southern
Republicans by their northern broth.
rem. Just at this time. when the Demo
cratic party has repudiated its pledges
made through the medium OF lis state
platforms IN every eouthcrn state Tor
tho last fifteen or twenty years, 10 enact
law for tho free and unlimited
coinage OF silver as soon as they
came into power nationally, and while
they arc waglng unrelentlng war
on southern interests and resources,
III their proposed tarit! legisla-
ton, 1t seems that wisdom would
suggest it was time to eNpend u helping
hand to southern Republicans rather
than strike them blow. We fight
against odds TO which northern Repub-
leans arc strangers. The enforcement
OF uni election laws disenfranchlscs
tens OF thousands OF Republican voters
in the south. 1t would be n strange
proceeding. one not in keeping with the
history and traditions OF the party, to
endorse these election laws and Demo-
cratic methods, by denying these dis
franchised Republicans voice i'll nomi-
nation conventions. This is dono ii We
are only accorded representation upon
the basis OF votes returned or actually
cast. The Republican party has always
protested against Democratic suppress
sion OF Republican votes in the south,
yet some OF It's leaders propose to deny
us representation in party councils Just
IN proportion rs We arc denied the right
OF voting by Democratic chicanery aud
fraud.
Acting under the advice Of northern
leaders, We ran no electoral ticket in
Alabama at the last election, that the
Popuists might, il possible, overpower
the Democrats. There arc other in
stances OF the same sort, yet il the pro.
posed plan is carried out such course
when taken for the interests OF the party
would cut down our representation in
conventions. Another argument against
the change proposed by Chairman Car
ter, is that it would increase tho num-
Der OF delegates in the convention,
while in the past tho weakest point in
conventions has been that they wore too
large to be practically working par.
liamentarv bodies"