The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-04-14
THE FUNCTIONS OF PARTY COMMIT.
TEES.


More than forty years party. 1t seems
that 1t were time the duties and func-
tons of Republican State committees
should be clearly defined. In this State
and others which have never known the
Plattism of New York nor the Cameron
ism of Pennsylvania the duties Of the
State committee have been understood to
pertain strictly to the organization of
the party and the general direction of
the campaign. Where the functions of
State committees have been confined TO
such lines party success has been more
uniform ahd party discussions less
marked than in the limited number of
instances where committees have as
sumed to control conventions, to dictate
platforms. put up and put down men.
and generally to assume all the functions
Of a guardian to ward. With the DEM
ocratic party such dictatorship is almost
necessary because of its makeup. The
Democratic voter takes naturally to the
local boss, and whenever there is a quar-
rel it is because two men desire to be
bosses. The Republican party is made
growing majority is opposed to officious
leadership. That majority believes more
in principles than in leaders.
In those States where the best condi-
tons of Republicanism are found the
State committee seeks to ascertain the
views Of the party that it may carry
them out. In calling and arranging for
| cnn he duty
sists in giving all aspirants an equal op-
portunity and In making it possible for
the majority of the convention to shape
the general policy of the party. It's chief
duties, however, relate to the organiza-
ton of the party SO as to bring out full
vote and to use all the means at its con-
troll to instruct voters regarding the prin-
ciples and aims of the party.
In this State the State committee is
made up of one member from each con-
gressional district, and these members
elect a chairman who shall carry out the
policy upon which the committee may
agree, and assume such general direction
of the affairs of the committee as 1t may
direct. He is the executive officer of the
officer of the committee, bring himself
into friendly relations with men in the
party who have rendered ii good service
and whose position should give them OPP
portunity TO form opinions Of value. A
very wise man said some years ago that
'in multitude of counselors there is
safety"
=, ~ IoH 10 oh hos
observations because Republicans in
different parts of the State have COM
planned that Chairman Gowdy is writing
letters to local committees and prominent
Republicans urging them to see to it that
the delegates sent to the State conven-
ton are instructed TO vote for a resolu-
ton which will bind the delegates elected
to represent the State at large to vote
for Governor Mckinley first, last and all
the time. The Journal has already ex-
pressed its views upon the subject and
will not repeat them here. The point 1t
would make for scores of Republicans is
that it is nc part Of the duty Of the chair
man or of the whole State committee to
use the influence of his or their position
to forestall the action of the convention.
If. 1t Is proper for Chairman Gowdy to
urge the local organizations to support
proposition to send the four leading Re-
publicans who will be selected as dele
gates at large to st. Louis in chains then
it is proper for him to send out orders
that this man shall be nominated for
Governor and that man for Supreme
Court judge. The one is no more an act
of dictation than the other. Both are a
reflection upon the good sense of party
men and delegates. Both are on the line
| of that Plattism which is trying to sup
press the Republican will in New York.