The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-05-30
Judge McHatton's Position on
the Pennsylvania Case.
1T is A STATE AFFAIR
While Having . High Personal Regard
for Harrity. Ia Democratic State
Convention Alone Has Author
ity in the Premises.

the position Of national committeeman
from that state and substituted James
NJ. Guffey. The first action was taken
Aug. 80 by the executive committee,
when this resolution Mas passed:
Resolved. That a vacancy has been
created and now exists in the member
ship Of the national democratic COM
mittee from Pennsylvania by reason Of
the voluntary withdrawal from politics
and from participation in the delibera-
tons Of the committee OF the late in
cumbent. William F. Harrity. and that
Mr.. Harrity. not being in accord with
the principles of the democratic party,
his seat is hereby declared vacant, and
James NJ. Guffey Of Pittsburg. who SO
Loyalty supported William j. Bryan, be
and is hereby elected to Ill the al
and that the chairman of this commit
tee be instructed to report this resolu-
ton to the democratic state central
committee as the judgment of this COM
mittee."
A resolution. similarly worded, was
passed the same day by the state central
committee On the following day the
action was endorsed by the state con-
vention by a vote of go to 1874. This
raised the question OF the authority OF
the state central committee and the
state convention to change its repre-
sentative in the national committee, and
the matter has been extensively discussed
i'm the press Of the country. 1t was
finally decided by Chairman j. X. Jones
to. submit the matter to the members
Of the national committee. n a vote is
now being taken. The documents in the
case, with the statement of the Penn
sylvania committee M the answer of
William r. Harrity, were received a few
days ago by Judge ]. j. Mediation, ma
tional committee man from Montana.
The following letter accompanied the
document:
Under date of Feb. IL, 1898. Hon.
John NJ. Garman. chairman Of the demo-
cratic state central committee of Penn
sylvania, wrote me. calling my atten-
ton to certain steps taken i'm his state
relating to the substitution Of Hon. j.
NJ. Guffey for Hon w. F. Harrity as
member of the national committee for
Pennsylvania.
1T being practically impossible to
the committee, and having no
authority to act myself. j nave conclud-
ed to submit the question to the MEM
bers of the committee by mail. j here
with orwa you copies of correspond
ence and papers i'm relation to the mat
ter. On the day of mailing these to you
i mail to Mr.. Garman and Mr.. Harrity
each a copy of all papers forwarded to
you, including this letter.
1t Is clear that when the national
committee is not in session there is no
power competent to make any change
in the national committee except the
committee itself, or a subcommittee
acting by its authority.
What do you understand the wish
of the Pennsylvania state convention
to be; and what course by the national
committee in regard thereto do you ia
vor?
II hope you will take up this matter
promptly and send me your decision"
Judge Mediation yesterday sent this
reply to Senator Jones, which will
doubtless meet the views of Montana
democrats:
Your communication regarding Har-
rity-Guffey matter in Pennsylvania re-
ceived and duly considered. L under
stand the wish of the PENNSYLVANIA
state convention to be hat Hon. j. NJ.
Guffey be recognized and admitted as a
member OF the national committee from
that state. The selection of a membe
of the national committee from the
state OF Pennsylvania, resting entirely
with the democracy of that state as rep
resented in state convention, / see no
other course for the national committee
to pursue than to recognize the election
Of Mr.. Guffey. 1t is not. in my opinion,
d ildtttT " tie CONSIDERATION OF the
national committee whether the facts in
the case would justify 1t In making the
selection of Mr.. Guffey to take the place
OF Mr.. Harrity on the committee, If the
matter was to be entirely decided by
the national committee. / thin the
matter Of action, choice and Judgment
rests entirely with the democracy of the
state OF Pennsylvania. / have not there
fore felt called upon to consider whether
or NOT the action nf the panpSvlxanio
state convention should meet the APP
prevail OF my judgment, but have SIM
ply considered the question of whether
or not, 1t having acted in the matter as
it did, its action is entitled to recogni-
ton by the national committee.
The democracy Of the state of Penn
sylvania selected Mr.. Harrity for a
place in the council of the democratic
party of the nation as represented by its
national committee. Upon its selection
the committee accepted him into its
membership. not to serve the national
committee. but to serve the democracy
Of the state of Pennsylvania. and since
the democracy Of that state as repre-
sented in state convention has declared
his place upon our committee vacant.
and selected Mr.. Guffey to represent ii
on that committee. I see nothing fur
ther to be done than to recognize It's
action.
Il have a very high personal regard
for Mr.. Harrity, but looking at this
matter from my standpoint i cannot do
otherwise than cast my vote as a men,
Der Of the democratic national commit
tee in " Of the recognition and cleo
ton of o ]. M. Guffey as a member
of that committee from the state OF
Pennsylvania. And I hereby direct that
my vote be cast and entered according
ly: and I hereby nominate an appoint
o my proxy. fully authorizing you to
cast and enter my vote as above indi-
Gated"