New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-17
A SURPRISE FOR WORTH.
GENERAL TRACY's LETTER TO CHAIR
MAN ROBERTS SPOILS PLANS.
THE ANTI-ADMrNIsTRATION FACTION RECEIVES
KNocKDOwN BLOw-CHAIRMAN CARTER.
OF THE REPUBLICAN, NATIONAL
COMMITTEE ADDS TO THEIR
DISCOMFORT.

DISCOMFORT.
The so-callcd Administration Republicans last
night sprung big surprise on the leaders Of the
Worth faction by laying before them the
opinions Of Chairman Carter, of the Republican
National Committee and of General Benjamin
f. Tracy both of which agree in spirit as TO the
effect that Chairman George r. Roberts, jr, OF
the County Committee, has sole power to APP
point temporary chairmen to call the five con-
gress conventions of Kings County to order.
This Is a block to the plans Of state Com
mtteemen Sharkey Schroeder and Frank,
friends of Mr. Worth, who, believing that they
possess the authority, propose TO organize con-
ventons in three districts and go on with the
work Of elccting delegates Judging from the
carefully written opinion OF General Tracy, the
friends Of Mr.. Worth who attempt to proceed
without the authority of Chairman Roberts VIII
be left without a leg to stand on General Tracy
opinion follows, and it is backed up in every es-
sentlal detail by Chairman Carter, Of the Repub-
lican National Convention. He says
New-York March 49, 1896
Mr. George II. Roberts jr, chairman Of Kings CoIn-
ty Republican Committee. No. 70 Cambridge
Place. Brooklyn n. Y.
Dear Sir: You ask my opinion as to whether me me
authority conferred upon you by Section OF Article
6 OF the bylaws of the Republican organization IN
Kings County to appoint Temporary Tn
called to elect delegates to National Convention
of the National Committee calling such convcn-
ton. In the call of the National Committee IL va" I7
provided that the Congress Dlstrict os ssi
Committee Of each such district in the same man
ner as the nomination OF Representatve IN oU n
gress is made In said district; provided that IN any
Congress District where there Is no Republican CON
gressional Committee the Republican state CS ON
mtee shall appoint from the residents OF such as
trict committee for the purpose OF caiing district
convention to elect district delegates" cha.
Tba c.N Of ft,o Nati
delegates to the National Convention at ST LOUIS
shall be chosen by convention called ny tle on
gress Committee OF each such district In the same
manner as the nomination OF Ncpreseh'atiNc ~
Congress is made in said district. The meahlhg o,
this provision obviously is that conventions to elect
delegates National Convention shall be caied
by the same authority and In the same manner as Ine
conventions to nominate Representatives In con-
grcss have been called Whatever body IN disvrict
has heretofore exercised the authority OF ca,rs
Congress conventions for the purpose OF nominating
Representatives. in Congress IL empowered TO can
conventions the purpose OF choosing delegates 10
The proviso in the call of the National Committee
intended to apply only to districts composed OF
several counties whore no Congressional coIi-
mittee had been appointed. But IN Kings county
the General Committee has the authority 10 calI an
political conventions except ward ana town con
yentions and II has for years called all such poti-
cal conventions which were to meet toI any PuiPos
I'm Kings County. This same committee called all
the last Congress conventions which nominsted
Representatives. in Congress and II Is absurd TO say
that II was the intention OF the National Committee
suporsede the regular political organization whch
has had FOR years the authority to call political con-
yentions in Kings County embracing several Con-
gross districts. am therefore clear that the case
of Kings County does not fall within the proViso
made Ivy the National Committee.
But II the State Committee has the power 10 APP
point committees the purpose OF calling the ais
trio, conventions In like that OF Kings County
clear that the authority OF such committees Is
limited the single duty OF calling the conventions
together When they have named "A time and place
OF meeting they have performed all the duties that
the State Committee Is authorized by the resolution
OF the National Committee to confer upon them.
Such committee has no authority over the conven-
ton when assembled. Had the National Committee
Intended TO confer authority upon the committee
named By the State Committee 10 appoint tempo
rary chairman TO preside over the convention. they
would have said so. Yours truly, b. +. TRACY
In n letter TO Mr.. Roberts. Chairman Carter.
~ the National Committee. takes practically
the same view. as the following letter from Con-
gresham ID. NJ Hurley shows:
George II Roberts. jr.. Esq. Chairman Kings
County General Committee.
Dear sir. Herewith find Chairman Carriers letter
addressed TO YOU. You Will notice that In writing he
confines himself simply 10 tho precedent or 1892. but
in conversation with me he said that the County
Organization should perform It's duty as required by
IT. rules and II the committeeman appointed by the
State Committee agreed with II. well and good;
but the National Committee neVc- intended that
clause in their call. which relates mostly to Con-
gress districts IN the South should interfere with
an organization such is maintained in Kings
County. He said that the delegates 70 ST Louis
should hc selected they were In 1872, or as Con
gressmen were nominated In 1894 and In no other
way. Very truly yours. u. VI. HURLEY.