The Topeka state journal., 1899-12-16
CHOKEO OFF.
observation-disclosures Payne's
Resolution Not Presented.
The President and Hanna We're
Opposed to 1t.

Washington, Dec. 16.-The members
of the Republican national committee
were received by President Mckinley
at the White House today. There was
no speech making, the members of the
committee simply passing through the
room and shaking hands with the pres
ident.
After the reception the committee
men were grouped in front of the
White House and photographed. While
arrangements were being made for tax
ing the photograph, President McKin-
ley entered his carriage and was driven
to the residence of the late Vice Presi-
dent 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 it, but would make a
statement to the committee.
Shortly after the meeting was called
to order Mr.. Payne made his statement
as follows:
Il ask the committee to honor me
with it's attention for a few minutes for
a statement somewhat personal in its
nature
1T is well known by members of the
committee both from the public press
and correspondence with them that L
have intended to offer and advocate the
adoption by the committee OF a reSO-
luton recommending to the next ma
tional Republican convention a change
in the basis of representation in subse-
Quent conventions. l sometime since
gave to the press for publication and
discussion, the resolution which 1 had
n6
on the subject.
Briefly stated it proposed to make
the national convention which nomi-
mates Republican tickets and fornu-
lates Republican platforms fairly rep
resentative of those who vote for Re
publican platforms and Republican
principles. The proposition has receiV-
ed the support of almost the entire Re
publican press of the country and
have reason to believe that upon its
merits, as well as upon grounds of eX-
pediency it has the support OF large
number of this committee.
I have not in the slightest degree
changed my conviction as to its justice,
nor have I the slightest doubt as to It's
expediency. Within a day or two it has
encountered opposition which had no
reason to anticipate including that Of
the chairman of this committee. It is
sufficient for me to say that out of my
regard for his opinion and the opinions
and wishes of others high in the coun-
ellis of the party, to which as a loyal
constrained not to offer the resolution.
L thank the committee for its indul-
gence and I have made this statement
only in obvious justice to myself"
Up to last night Mr.. Payne had fully
intended to offer the resolution and to
urge its adoption, but after confer
ence with the president at the White
House at which Secretary DICK and
Governor Nash of Ohio were present,
decided to abandon the effort to have
it acted upon at this meeting. Much
i Il ID 70 H.
posed change and the conclusion was
reached that it was inexpedient to push
the matter at this time.
Senator Hanna took the floor and
briefly discussed the Leland proposition,
although it was not formally before the
committee. He said that he did not
believe it was the province of the ma
fiOnal committee to inaugurate any
such radical changes. The committee
was appointed for the purpose of assist
ing in every honorable way the cleo
tion of the ticket nominated and to ar
range the preliminarieS for the next
Congress, he thought, should be left
to deal with the basis of representation.
He did not believe that the committee
should make recommendation to con-
eress as to legislation. In their in
dividual capacity members could ask
their senators and representatives to
bring about such legislation as they
favored, but the committee, he though,
should maintain its position as an or
ganization to conduct the affairs of the
party under the instructions of the con-
Vention.
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 was brought forward
The subcommittee on arrangements
for the convention was announced as
follows:
ManIey of Maine. chairman; Payne.
wisconsin,; Scott, CWest Virginia);
Kerens, (AIissourD; Kean, (New Jer-
sey), with Hanna and Dick, chairman
and secretary of the national commit
tee ex-officio members.
The selection 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 ad-
journed subject to the call of the chair
man, it being explained that it will as
semble a few days before the conven-
tion meets to make up the preliminary
roll of delegates.