San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1895-11-07
REPUBLICAN UNITY.
Hon. n. F. MacGregor States the
Position of Reform Republicans.

Position of Reform Republicans.
From the Texas Tribune.
At the meeting held in the city
hall at Dallas last week, which
was participated in by republi-
cans from all parts Of the state,
Hon. II. f. MacGregor was un-
animously authorized to give to
the press statement OF the
position of the reform republic
cans.
The following fair, firm and
candid statement does honor to
both Mr.. MacGregor and to those
for whom he speaks. He says:
"My task was an easy one, as
the sentiment was unanimous
that the basis Of representation
adopted TO protect the party
machinery from being used and
manipulated for selfish purposes
was absolutely necessary under
the conditions that surround the
party in this state. This basis OF
representation is the only vital
difference between the two organi-
cations. The adoption by the
Grant executive committee Of the
Goodell committee basis OF re-
presentation would result in the
dissolution of the Goodell COM
mittee. While there has been a
good deal Of harmony talk, uniting
on any other basis is an impossi-
bility. The basis OF representation
is designed so that those who are
not republicans cannot control
the party machinery, as well as to
afford an opportunity to discipline
the traitors in the ranks when
occasion demands. 1t provides
for representation on republican
votes and a division OF the dele
cations between whites and color
ed republicans in proportion to
population in each county or
district; for. mixed conventions
and a delegate at large for each
race from each county or precinct.
This insures a colored represen-
tation OF 40 per cent in state con-
ventions, when there numerical
strength is only % per cent. The
situation is entirely satisfactory
to the reform element, and inn
proving all the time. The opposi-
ton is getting weaker. The
national committee decided they
had nothing to do with matters
of Estate representation it being a
matter belonging entirely to the
Republicans Of each state. The
national league convention took
the same view.
Our organization is stronger
than the other, excluding the
revenue republicans who vote the
local democratic ticket. 1t is
doubtful il the other organization
had local ticket in half a dozen
counties out of the 245 counties in
the state. The election. OF
Congressman Noonan shifts the
control of patronage from the
member of the national committee
and relieves the situation Of a
powerful factor in manipulating
the conventions of the other wing.
AS patriotic republicans our side
desires strong, united party, but
it goes almost without saying
that we cannot have it by evading
the issue which is distinctly local
in character, but by meeting it.
This our side has done and will
continue to do SO.
This indicates the truest test OF
sentiment OF the reform wing and
is all / have to say, except that
my personal opinion is that with
the record we shall be able to take
to the national convention we will
seat eur delegation unless the con.
vention believes, like the national
committee, that it is local matter
with which they have nothing to
do. In that event both delegations
will ho seated with half a vote,