The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-06-21
Offers n Resolution II the National
Republican Convention and
Presents Statement.
WILL BE ACTED ON TO-DAY
TO BE PRESENTED TO THE CONVEX
TIoN IN MODIFIED FORM.
Many Caucuses ON the Question and
Strong Opposition from
Southern Delegates.

PHILADELPHIA, Tune 2o.-The resolu-
ton to-day introduced by ex-senator Quay
in the convention, relating to the rear
rangement of the basis Of representation
I'm future national conventions. has created
a sensation. particularly among the delega-
tions from the Southern States. Tonight,
the interest manifested In the proposition
is scarcely second to that aroused by the
contest for the vice presidency.
Four years ago Henry G.. Payne. national
committeeman from Wisconsin. proposed to
the convention IN amendment to the rules
providing that hereafter delegates to the
national conventions should be selected on
the basis of one delegate for every ten
thousand Republican votes cast at the
previous presidential election. The PROPOSE
ten was widely discussed at the time. but.
after mature consideration, the national
decided to take no action upon
1t. At various times since the campaign of
1896 the question Of changing the basis OF
representation has been discussed infor-
mally, the principal argument by the adj
vocates of a change being that. under the
present rules the Southern States. upon
which no reliance can be placed for Repub-
licsn electoral votes, proportionately nave
greater power in the selection of national
candidates of the party than those States
which are looked to always to elect a Re-
publican President. Last December. when
the national committee met in Washington
to select the time and place of holding the
present convention, Mr.. Payne again
brought forward his proposition and ear
nestly advocated its adoption. The COM
mittee, however, decided that 1t had no au-
thority TO take any action upon the ques-
ton. 1t was held that. before the commit
tee could properly pass upon the question
a national convention of the party would
have to instruct 1t to do SO.
Mr.. Payne dropped the matter at the
time, so far as he personally was con-
cerned. but during the past ten days the
fire which has been smoldering. famed into
a flame, partly by reason Of the earnest
ness Of the Rhede Island delegation to
this convention. Until to-day. however, it
was not known in just what form or from
what source the proposition would be
brought to the attention of the convention.
After General Bingham, of pennsylvania,
had presented the report of the committee
on rules TO the convention former Senator
Quay arose and offered the following reso-
luton as an amendment to the commit
tees report: 4Gp.
THAT hereafter each State shall be en-
titled to four delegates at large and one
votes or a majority fracuoh thereof cast at
the last preceding presidential election for
presidential electors, and six delegates
from each organized Territory and District
Of Columbia. and that the methods for the
Aloctian of surh dAleUafRS-Sha1t be nroyided
for by the national COMMITTEES"
The reading Of the resolution was re-
ceived with applause. particularly from the
New England, New York and Pennsylvania
delegations. Among the delegates from the
Southern States there was manifest un-
easiness and IL was evident instantly that
if an effort were made to adopt the resolu-
ton at once a lively scene would be pre-
cipitated in the convention. Audible objec-
lions were raised to prevent consideration
of the resolution and, at the suggestion of
Mr.. Quay, promptly seconded by General
Bingham, it went over until tomorrow.
Chairman Lodge announced in response to
inquiry. that it wouls be brought before
the convention Immediately after it as
sembled tomorrow.
QUAY,S STATEMENT.
In connection with the resolution Colonel
Quay sent to the clerks desk the follow
ing statement showing the number of dele
gates according TO the present basis, as
compared with the BASIS of one delegate
for each 10000 vocs or majority fraction
thereof. cast for President Mckinley in
1896; also compared with the number of
delegates based upon equal representa-
ton, as stated. to which are added four
delegates at large from each State: