The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-07-27
Republioan Con vention.

The county Republican convention, held
at the Court House, ON Saturday, was fairly
well attended. Five townships were not
represented, but the others sent good del
egations.
The convention had been called to
amend the rules governing the Republi-
can party in this county. Only few
changes were made.
Amos Gibbs, chairman of the county
convention, called the meeting to order,
and named as temporary officers, Charles
Evan Merritt, chairman, and John G.
Horner and William w. Worrell, secre-
taries. These officers were afterward
elected as the permanent organization.
The appointment of committee on
credentials was dispensed with.
Henry P. Thorn, on behalf of the county
committee, presented set of rules which
had been prepared by that organization.
There were but few changes, he said, the
principal one being that which does away
with assembly districts, under the stip-
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be elected from the county at large.
After the new rules had been read, the
convention took up each section and acted
thereon.
George N. Winner proposed the first
change, providing that each election dis
trict shall name representative for the
county committee This method, he said
would give the voters direct represen-
tation on the committee. Under the old
system the committee was appointed blythe
chairman of each county convention, and
the voters had no voice in the matter
The temporary chairman is named by the
committee and is usually made the per.
manent presiding officer. He is under
some obligation to reappoint the old COM
mittee, because they had made him the
chairman.
Mr.. Thorn defended the present system
The chairman of the convention never ap
points the committee until he has con
suited with the candidates nominated
and they are the ones NEST Interested
The plan has worked satisfactorily fol
years.
William ]. Terrell favored a change
but did not like either one of the rules
presented. He suggested that each con
vention should name the committee.
Charles K. Chambers opposed the new
plan of having a committeeman from each
district because that would make an I'M
wieldy body, composed of 40 men. The
voters are represented by the advisory
committeeman, who are always invited tc
consult with the county committee.
William Foley said the party has usual
ly been successful under the present sys-
tenn, SO that cannot be much wrong.
Mr.. Winner explained that his amend
ment provided for the appointment of an
executive committee of seven from the
entire number of 40. These seven would
do most of the work and would not be an
unwieldy body.
Samuel K. Robbins doubted if the sub.
stitute would be an improvement. The
main thing is to have the committee in
touch with the candidates, and this has
been accomplished heretofore under the
old rule. In order to make it obligatory
for the chairman of the convention tc
consult the candidates he moved that this
clause be added to the old rule eby and
with the advice and consent of a majority
of the nominees of the convention"
W. Budd Deacon thought the candi
dates should have some say in the.'matter
Ex-senator Carter thought the Robbins
amendment might put a burden on the
nominees that could prove detrimental.
All the amendments were voted dowr
and the original rule adopted.
Anderson r. Shinn wanted to know il
the rules interfered with electlng dele
gates under the Crawford county system
He was informed that they do not.
Samuel w. Beldon suggested that, i
desired, provision could be made to pre-
vent the temporary chairman from being
elected the permanent presiding officer
This would remove one of the objection
offered by Mr. Winner Mr.. Beldon die
not wish to offer such motion; he mere
ly made the suggestion, and no action
was taken.
All the other rules were adopted as re
ported, and the meeting adjourned
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