The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1899-12-17

WASHINGTON, Dec. 16-The MEM
bers of the Republican National Com
mittee were received by President Nc
Kinley to-day at the White House.
There was no speech making, the MEM
bers of the committee simply passing
through the room and shaking hands
with the President. After the reception
the committeeman We're grouped in
front of the White House and photo
graphed.
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, made the fol-
lowing statement to the committee:
1T is well known by members of the
committee, both from the public and
press and correspondence with them,
that I have intended to refer and ad-
vocate the adoption by the committee
of "a resolution recommending to the
next National Republican convention a
change in the basis of representation In
subsequent conventions. l some time
since gave to the press for publication
and discussion the resolution, which
had prepared to present to the COM
mittee upon the subject.
Briefly stated, it proposed to make
the national conventions which nom
mate Republican tickets and formulate
Republican platforms, fairly represen-
tative of those who vote for Republi-
can platforms and Republican princi-
pies. The proposition has received the
support of almost the entire Republi-
can press of the country, and I have
reason to believe that upon it's merits,
as well as upon grounds of expediency,
it has the support of large number Of
this committee. / have not in the
slightest degree changed my conviction
as to it's justice, nor have the slight
est doubt as to it's expediency. Within
a day or two it has encountered opposi-
ton which I had no reason to antici-
pate, including that of the Chairman OF
this committee 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. 1 feel
bound to defer am constrained not to
offer the resolution.
81 thank the committee for its indug-
ence, and I have made this statement
OiliJ III JUSTIFY " iyoSil
Senator Hanna briefly discussed the
Payne proposition, although it was not
formally before the committee. He said
that he did not believe it was the prov
ince of the National Committee to in
augurate any such radical changes. The
committee was appointed for the pur-
pose of assisting in every honorable way
the election of the ticket nominated, and
- Il
next convention Changes in the basis
of representation, he thought, should
be left for the convention to deal with.
He did not believe that the committee
should make recommendations to Con-
gress as to legislation. In their indi-
vidual capacity members could ask
their Senators and Representatives to
bring about such legislation as they ia
vored, but the committee, he thought,
should maintain it's position as an or
ganization to conduct the affairs Of
the party under the instructions of
the convention. If it assumed more it
would be charged with dictation.
Mr.. Hanna's remarks were cheered
by the committee.
None of the other propositions On this
subject were brought forward.
Inc subcommittee on arrangements
for the convention was announced as
follows: Manley of Maine (Chairman),
Payne of Wisconsin, Scott of West Vir-
ginia, Kerns of Missouri, Kean of New
Jersey, with Hanna and Dick, Chair
man and Secretary of the National
Committee, ex-officio members.
The selections of delegates from the
District of Columbia was referred to an
election board.
There was some talk about the large
representation from Territories, but no
action was taken.
The committee adjourned subject to
the call of the Chairman, it being ex-
planned that it will assemble q few
days before the convention meets to
make up the preliminary roll of dele
gates ~-'