Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-12-17

members or the Republican Nationi
Committee were received by President
Mckinley to-day at the White House.
There was no speech making, the men,
bers of the committee simply passing
through the room and shaking hands
with the President. After the reception
Ele committeeman were grouped In
front of the White House and photo
graphed. While arrangements were
being made for taking the photograph
President Mckinley entered his car
riage and was driven to the residence
of the late Vice President Hobart and
escorted Mrs. Hobart to the station
where she took the train to her New
Jersey home.
The members OF the committee re-
turned to the Arlington hotel and as
sembled in session.
Mr.. Payne, of Wisconsin, who had
prepared a resolution to change the
basis OF representation said that he
would not offer 1t but would make a
statement to the COMMITTEES.
His statement follows:
Il ask the committee TO honor ma
with it's attention for a few minutes
for statement somewhat personal In
it's nature.
1T is well known by members OF the
committee both from the public press
and correspondence with them that
have intended TO offer and advocate
the adoption by the committee of res
olution recommending to the next Ma
tional Republican convention a change
in the basis OF representation.
i'll subsequent conventions. / some
time since gave to the press for publ
cation and discussion the resolution
which l had prepared to present 10
the committee upon the subject.
Briefly stated, it proposed TO maks
the national convention whicsl nomi-
mates Republican ticlsats and fnrmuiagH1
Republican platforms. fairly represent
tatiye of thoss who vote for Republican,
platforms and Republican principles.
The proposition has received the sup
port of almost the entire Republican
press of the country and / have reason
20 believe that upon its merits as well
as upon grounds OF expediency 1t has
the support of large number OF this
committee.
II have not in the slightest degree
changed my conviction as to it's JUS
tice, nor have | the slightest doubt as
to its expedieney. Within day or two
1t has encountered opposition which
had no reason to anticipate, including
that of the chairman of this commit
tee. 1t is sufficient for me to say that
out Of my regard for his opinion, and
the opinions and wishes OF others high
in the councils OF the party to which
as loyal Republican / feel bound to
defer, am constrained not TO offer
the resolution.
Il thank the committee for It's indui-
genee and | have made this statement
only in obvious justice to myself.
Senator Hanna took the floor and
briefly discussed the Payne proposition.
although 1t was not formally before
the committees He said that he did
not believe it was the province OF tho
national committee to inaugurate
Amy such Radical Changes.
The committee was appointed for the
purpose OF assisting In every honorable
way the election OF the ticket nomi-
mated and to arrange the prellminaries
for the next convention.
The basis Of representation, he
| thought, should be left for the c0nven-
| ton TO deal with. He did not believe
| that the committee should make recon-
| mendations TO Congress as to the legIs-
/ lation. In their individual capacity
| members could ask their Senator's and
| Representatives to bring about such
| legislation as they favored, but the COM
/ mittee. he thought, should maintain It's
| position as an organization to conduct
| the affairs Of the party under the In
/ struetions OF the convention. II Il as-
surned more IL would be charged with
/ dletation. Mr.. Hanna's remarks were
| cheered by the COMMITTEES.
None of the other propositions on this
/ subject were brought forward.
The sub committee on arrangements
| for the convention was announced a.
| follows: Manley, Of Maine. chairman:
Payne. wisconsin,; Scott, (W. Val
/ Kereng. fMissouril; Kean, tNew Jer-
/ sew, With Hanna and Dick, chairman
| and secretary Of the National commit
| tee ex-officio members.
The selection of delegates from tfs
/ District Of Columbia was referred 70
an election board.
| There was some talk about the largs
| representation from territories but no
action was taken. Tie committee ad-
| ionrned subject to the call Of the chair
J man. II being expected that Il viii as
| gembie a few days before the corEen-
ton meets to make Up the preliminary
| roll Of delegates.
-Four Days Behind.
/