The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-17
It DIED STILL BORN
Heavy Weight Hanna Sat on
the Payne Resolution.
Owing TO the 0ppcsitoi Of the Republican
Grand Mogul MIR. Payne Did Not
Offer the Resolution.

Washington, Dee. 16.-The members
If the Republican National Committee
were received ny President Mckinley
today at the White House. There was
no speeeh-making. the party simply
passing through the room and shaking
hands with the President.
Later the committee held session at
the Arlington. Mr.. Payne, of Wiscon-
sin, who had prepared resolution t.
change the basis Of representation III
subsequent conventions, said that he
would not offer it, but would make a
statement to the committee.
Referring to his resolution he said
Briefly stated, it proposed to make
the National Convention, which nomi-
mates Republican tickets and formulates
Republican platforms, fairly representa-
tive OF those who vote for Republican
platforms and principles. The praposi-
tons has received the support Of al
most the entire Republican press OF
the country, and / have reason to be
lieve that upon its merits, as Wei a;
upon grounds Of expediency, it has the
support Of a large number of this COM
mittee.
II have not in the slightest deeros
changed my conviction as to its jus.
tice, nor have | the slightest doubt ms
10 it's expediency. Within day or two
it 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 a
loyal Republican ! feel bound to de-
fer, / am constrained not to offer the
resolution. | thank the cOmmitte for its
indulgence, aud | have made this state
ment only iii obvious justice to my
self"
Senator Hanna took the floor and
briefly discussed the Payne proposition
although il was not formally before the
committee. He said that he did not be-
lieye it was the province OF the Ne
tional Committee to inaugurate any
such radical changes. The committee
was appointed for the purpose of assist
ing in every honorable way the election
of the ticket nominated and to arrange
the preliminaries for the next conyen-
ton. Changes in the basis of reprnsen-
tation should be left for the convention
to deal with. He did not believe that
the committee should make recommen-
datioDs to Congress as to legislation.
The committee should maintain It's posi-
ton as an organization to conduct the
affairs Of the party under the conyen-
ton. lf it assumed more, ii would be
charged with dictation. Mr.. Hanna's
remarks were cheerea by the commit
tee
None of the other propositions ON the
subject were brought forward
The subcommittee on ARRANGEMENTS
for the convention was announced as
follows:
Manley, Of Maine, Chairman: Payne.
Wisconsin: Scott, West Virginia:
kerens, Missouri; Kean, New Jersey.
with Hanna and Dick, Chairman and
Secretary Of the National Committee
eX-officio members.
The selection of delegates from the
District Of Columbia was referred 10
an election board.
There was some talk about the lerge
representation from Territories, hut no
action was taken.
The committee adjourned subject 10
the call Of the chairman. Il being OK
pected that it will assemble few days
before the convention meets to pEke
up the preliminary roll Of delegates.