The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-13
BARS U.S.. OFFICEHOLDERS
As DELEGATES TO THE REPUBLICAN
NATIONAL CONVENTION.

President M'Kinley Makes Ills Wishes
Known and They Arc to Bo Observed
In New York and in All the States.
Though There May Be Some Resistance.
President Mckinley has made II known
within tho last twenty-four hours to certain
important Republicans In the State OF New
York that he does not favor the idea Of sending
Federal offlceholders as delegates to the next
Republican National Convention. Ever since the
days OF Grant and Hayes and Arthur and lIar-
rison. Republican National Conventions have
been crowded by Federal ofliceholders rs dele
gates to Republican conventions. This was
noticeably 30 at Minneapolis in 1892.
when the fact that nearly seventy per
cent OF the delegates were Federal office
holders was the talk OF the country. President
Mckinley. II was autboritatvely stated last
night. hopes to do away with this style OF
electloneering. The word has not only gone
forth through New York state. but It is now
being sent throughout all other States.
Collector George II. Bidwel OF the Port OF
New York has been saying for the last ak
months that no Federal ofilceholder In the city
OF New York should be sent as delegate to the
next Republican National Convention. Collector
Bidwell has stated his ideas on his visits to
Washington. lie has r'so had talks with Sena-
tor Hanna and Senator platt and other Repub-
leans. The Administration has conceded In his
suggestions. and whether the convention Ia to
be held In Chicago. or Philadelphia. or Balti-
more, the siRhtseers are to have a new sensa-
ton. There will be no Federal offlcehOlders
there as delegates to cheer for the candidate Of
the Republican party. who. without doubt. will
be President Mckinley.
This Ia IA great innovation In the affairs o.
the Republican party. Senator Hanna has time
and time again said that he did not believe the
convention should be held in great
hall where 1900 or 10000 outsiders could
be admitted. for the reason that Rcpubl-
can national conventions are deliberate bodies
and should not be swerved by the sentiment OF
the galleries.
President McKinley's suggestions on this
matter OF not having Federal officeholders as
delegates to the next Republican National
Convention will. II was said. be hard to carry out
In some Of tho Southern States. and yet.
II Henry @. Payne's resolution to elect dele
gates to the next National Convention accord
ing to the Republican vote In all Congress
districts is carried out the task will not
be 40 hard. The greatest trouble, 1t
was said. will como from the States OF
Ohio. Indiana. Michigan. Illinois. Wisconsin.
and Minnesota. But the President Is deter
mined that no federal offlceholder shall be
| elected as a delegate TO the forthcoming
Repu blican National Convention. He believes
that the ofllceholders should remain at home
| and attend to their duties.
President McKIuley's ideas on this matter
were highly commended last night by
| Republicans In New York county. who
| went over the conventions for the last twenty
Ave years. and were conversant with the
work OF the conventions which nom mated Gen
| Grant twi CO. Gen Hayes, Con. Garfield. James
| q. Blaine and Gen. Harrison. The great force
| OF Federal officchulders at the conventions
| which nominated these men. they said, was
| almost u public scandal. President Mckinley
| is determined TO avert anything OF that Kind.