Evening star., 1900-02-01
How to Choose Local Delegates to
Republican National Convention.
an EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
The Committee Which Viii Settle
the Ways and Means.
WILL BE ISTRATION

A merry war is on among the members OF
the board Of three appointed by subcom-
mittee Of the republican national commit
tee at it's meeting here in December to
formulate plans for the election of dele
gates and alternates who shall represent
the District of Columbia in the national
convention at Philadelphia next June.
There is no division of opinion on the
question of holding a primary election,
and there is apparently unanimity of feel
ing the part of members Of the board
that there shall be some form Of registra-
ton. But as to just what form Of registra-
ton shall obtain is where the split comes
The board received it's credentials from the
national committee few days ago. but no
Official action is likely to be taken for some
time. l.. NJ. Saunders and Calvin Chase, the
coiored member of the board are under
stood to favor an early meeting, that
p.enty Of time may be had to provide for
The primaries: but IN this they are opposed
by Judge John B. Cotton, who. by reason
OF his name appearing nrst, is recognized
as chairman of the board. Mr.. Chase, 1t is
said, favors the method which prevailed
prior to 1886, of leaving the election OF deie-
gates and alternateS to what was practl-
ca.iy a mass convention, but he will not op-
pose primary plan if wanted by his coll
leagues.
Mr.. Parker's Views.
Myron NJ Parker. member Of the repub-
lican national committee for the District
of Columbia, at whose suggestion the board
was appointed, said today that the board
was possessed of absolute authority to
make the rules that shall govern the cleo
ton of national delegates.
From what l can learn" said he. the
members have been giving considerable at
tention to the details of a plan which will
be ready shortly. The plan makes 1t COM
pulsory that every republican voter snail
register. 1t aso provides that the election
shall be held within three hours, probably
between 2 and pm. Four years ago the
election was held between those hours. and
l believe gave satisfaction. The polling
places thus remain open an hour after the
departments close.
Mr.. Cotton has read to me in brief his
ideas, which will be formu ated into a
plan which will be submitted to his col
leagues when the board meets. ] know that
he personally favors an educational quail
fication for voters but l do not think that
the board will inc ude such suggestion in
the plan that shall be formally adopted.
What is wanted is some form that shall be
fair to all. We want as little repeating as
possib e. The board will take the greatest
care in selecting judges of election. The
judges will be men of established reputa-
ton and well and favorably known in the
where they reside. They VIII
be business men as far as possible.
Mr.. Saunders' Plan.
Mr. Saunders, when seen in his Office in
he Washington Savings Loan building.
talked freely regarding the work before
he board.
THE board has taken no joint action as
yet" he said. We have been waiting for
Mr. Cotton, whom We recognize as chair
man, to take the initial step. He is said
10 be in no hurry, believing that there will
be plenty of time if the first meeting is not
called until some time in March.
Il have a plan which ] presented to the
republican national committee and which
met with the approval Of that body. The
committee referred the plan to this
board, and l shall expect that 1t be given
due consideration. The plan provides for
and the choosing by ballot Of
three electors in each of the twenty-five
lumbia. The three electors chosen shall
meet in their respective districts and or
ganiZe by electing a president and secre-
tary. At that time they shall by ballot ex-
press their choice for delegates to the ma
t:Gnal convention. The result in each dis
trict is to be recorded and attested by the
president and secretary, and sealed in an
envelope that shall be sent to this board.
The chairman of the board shall then call
a meeting of the twenty-five district presi-
dents and In their presence open the re-
turns, the two persons receiving the highest
number of votes to be declared delegates 20
the national convention. and the two re-
Ceiving the reXt highest number Of votes
to be given credentials as Lternatcs. My
object in this was To avoid he OH district
conventions, which generally resulted IN dis
turbances.
Il understand that Mr.. Cotton favors rot
only an educational qualification COR vo-
ters, but that he would go further and per-
nit to vote at the primaries only republican
property owners. | am opposed to tie
latter, as it would disqualify quite q nLln-
lNar- e tla1
to suffrage. Yes, there is a difference CT
opinion among the members Of the board
as to the method that will prevail at the
election. / favor prior registration, while
the other members l understand, favor n
registration at the time of voting.
Another question which confronts the
board is a lack of funds to carry on the
election. OF course, there is no republican
We shall expect each legislative district to
make up the funds, or find some patriotic
citizens who will volunteer to help OFT.
But that matter will be taken up in cue
time after the board meets"
Mr.. COtton's Views.
Mr.. Cotton, when his attention was called
to what Mr.. Parker and Mr.. Saunders had
said, admitted that he did not consider it
important to convene the board at present.
THE District Of Columbia is different
from a state,' said he. II do not believe
in being in a hurry" Mr.. Cotton said that
he personally favored both an educational
and property qualification for voters, but
that he doubted whether the latter could
be adopted by the board.
These internal dissensions in the board do
not seem to prevent number of republf-
cans from wanting to represent the District
at the Philadelphia convention. Among the
names heard today were L. NJ. Saunders,
who was candidate for delegate four years
ago: John JOY Edison, George E. Emmons
and Thomas 6. Hensey. The coiored repub-
licans will insist upon representation, and
the names of John r. Cooke, DIR. Charles
B. Purvis and Calvin Chase are among
those mentioned in connection with the
candidacy for delegates