New-York tribune., 1899-12-17
FOR PARTY HARMONY.
Mr.. PAYNE DROPS HIS REAPPoRTIoN-
MENT RESOLUTION.
THE REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
ADJoURNS AFTER MAKING FuK-
Their ARRANGEMENTS FOR

1
Their ARRANGEMENTS FOR
THE CONVENTION
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIFUNEl
Washington. Dec 16.-As might have been ex-
| pected. the Republican National Committee re-
| Trained at its session to-day from considering
! Mr. Payne's proposed changes in the basis ana
| scope Of party representation In future National
| conventions Present political conditions could
| hardly he said to Justify the experiment advo-
| Gated by the Wisconsin committeeman, for with
| the party unity and harmony now obtaining
there seemed TO be little practical benefit In stir
| ring UP local and sectional rivalres through the
I enforcement OF a new standard of representation
! Mr.. Payne having gracefully yielded to this
! sentiment and suppressed his resolution, the
| second days session OF the committee was
marked by no transactions Of vital consequence.
The members Of the committee were received
| by President Mckinley to-day at the White
House. There was no speechmakng, the COM
mtteemen simply passing through the room and
shaking hands with the President. After the
| reception they were grouped in front Of the
White House and photographed While ar
rangements were being made for taking the
photograph, President Mckinley entered his car
riage and was driven to the home of the late
bart TO the station where she took train for
her New-Jersey home
MR.. PAYNE STATES HIS ATTITUDE.
The members of the committee then returned
to the Arlington Hotel and assembled in session.
Shortly after the meeting was called to order,
Mr. Payne made his statement follows
ask the committee to honor me with its at
tention for few minutes for a statement some
what personal In its 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 adop-
ton by the committee Of resolution recon-
mending to the next Republican National Con-
vention a change in the basis or representation
In subsequent conventions. i some time since
gave to the press for publication and discussion
the resolution which had prepared to present
to the committee upon the subject.
Briefly stated. 1t proposed 10 make the Ma
tional Convention which nominates Republican
tickets and formuates platforms fairly repre-
sentative OF those who vote for Republican plat
forms and Republican principles The propos-
tion has received the support OF almost the en-
tire Republican press Of the country, and nave
reason 10 believe that upon its merits. as well
as upon grounds Of expedency IT has the sup
port Of a large number Of this committee.
I have not in the slightest degree changed my
conviction as to its Justice nor have the slight
est doubt as to it's expediency. Within day or
two 1t has encountered opposition which had
10 reason TO anticipate, including that OF the
chairman OF lnlS COIHHuttet II - SuluNIcHl iNi
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. i am con-
strained not to offer the resolution.
thank the committee for its indulgence. and
have made this statement only in obvious justice
to myself.
CHAIRMAN HANNA's STATEMENT.
Senator Hanna took the floor and briefly dis
cussed the Payne proposition. although IT was
not formally before the committee. He said
that he did not believe It was the province Of the
National Committee to inaugurate any such rad
ical changes The committee was appointed for
the purpose Of assisting in every honorable way
the election of the ticket nominated and to ar
range the preliminaries for the next convention.
Changes in the basis Of representation, he
thought should be left for the convention 10 deal
with He did not believe that the committee
should make recommendations to Congress az to
legislation. In their individual capacity MEM
bers could ask their Senators and Representa-
tives to bring about such legislation as they
favored, but the committee. he thought. should
maintain its position AS an organization 10 con-
duct the affairs Of the party under the instruc-
tions OF the convention. II II assumed more it
would he charged with dictation. Mr. Hannas
remarks were cheered by the committee.
None Of the other propositions on the subject
were brought forward
The subcommittee on arrangements for the
convention was announced az follows: Manley.
Of Maine. chairman; Payne Of Wisconsin; Scott.
OF West Virginia; Kerens OF Missouri, and kean.
OF NewJersey. with Messrs. Hanna and DICK.
chairman and secretary Of the National Com
mittee ey ofiiciO members.
The selection Of delegates from the District Of
Columbia was referred to an election board.
There some talk about the large repre-
sentation from Territories, but no action was
taken.
The committee adjourned subject to the call Of
the chairman. ii being expected that 1t will re-
assemble few days before the convention meets
to make up the preliminary roll OF delegates.
PREPARING FOR THE CONVENTION.
Philadelphia Dec. R-Although only few hours
have elapsed since this city selected for the
next National Republican Convention, the pro-
prieors Of the big hotels are already beginning to
shape plans for the event. The leading newspapers
Of the country as usual. among the first in
engaging rooms for large STATS OF correspondents
Anticipating the action OF the Republican Ma
tional Committee in awarding the convention 10
this city. architects. engineers and builders have
been carefully investigating the main building Of
the National Export Exposition. and plans have
finally been decided on. The shallow walls inclos-
ing the present auditorium will be taken out thus
leaving hall with solid brick walls 300 feet long
and 2S feet wide. This will give a floor space OF
$500 square feet. with seating capacity Of about
twenty thousand. There will be numerous large
aisles and the hall Will be free from galleries;
The floor will be elevated in tiers giving a full
view Of the stage from all parts Of the hall. It
Will take less than month 10 make the changes.
The cost Of placing the building in shape for the
convention will be 5000 That includes all
changes. eighteen thousand folding chairs, decora-
tions. and the restoration Of the auditorium and
the east and west arcades. To the south Of the
convention hall is the centre pavilion which will
be placed at the disposal OF the committee, and
will permit Of commodious restaurants coat
rooms, etc.
The entertainment OF the delegates 10 the CON
Vention Will be pronounced feature Many Of the
clubs. political and otherwise will keep open house.
and there VIII he numerous outings and excursions
10 occupy the leisure time of the delegates. The
Pennsylvania Railroad. which passes the exposition
grounds, will run special trains and from Broad
ri. station 10 the convention grounds at brief In
tervals Specials from the West. East and South
will also be run direct TO the place Of meeting. The
Union Traction Company VIII arrange for numer-
Gus lines to and from the auditorium.
NATIONAL COMMITTEE HEADQUARTERS.
Philadelphia. Dec. 1s.-The members Of the Citi-