The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1900-09-01
OF
THE PARTY
Clarence M.White Gives
His Views.
THOSE PRIMARY RULES
Other Sides Version of How They
Came TO be Adopted by
Convention.

two factions over the unfortunate set
of rules sought to be lobbied through
the last convention, / yet take excep-
ton to the motives imputed by you to
those who opposed them.
The provisions of these rules which
you advocate as in the interest of hon
est primaries were:
'O-To organize precinct clubs ten
days after election.
(2).-That applications for admission
should be made in writing, referred to
a committee and balloted upon.
(3).-To charge an admission fee for
joining the Republican party.
tD.-That only members Of the club
could vote the primaries.
These rules might or might not Sc
cure honest primaries depending prin-
cipally on the spirit of their applica-
ton. 1 was in the ranks of the opposi-
ton TO the rules as reported.
O.-Because the committee was ap-
pointed on rules, mode of procedure
ard organization of convention, and
therefore exceeded its authorization in
reporting rules for the permanent or
ganization of the party which should
devolve on the Central Committee. .
|
( turition of the report.
(3.-Because of the Objectionable
/ features of the rules themselves.
! The opposition sought to relegate the
| Rules to oblivion on the first two
grounds but without success. Finding
that Difference to the feelings of the
Committee precluded total rejection of
| the rules. the opposition directed it's
efforts to modification of their objec-
| tionable features.
The organization of precinct clubs
! ten days after election when a lack of
| interest in such matters might enable
an INSCRIPTIONS clique to capture and
control the organization of such club
and by the aid of the subsequent pro-
visions hold such control and even ex-
clude desirable Republicans from par
ticipation In the councils OF the party
was discussed in all it's bearings and
found to be in the interest of a clique
or faction first taking advantage of 1t.
The convention very wisely modified
/ it,"
The hurdle steps of an application In
writing, reference to a committee and
a ballot upon the application was OPP
i posed for the reason that the Repub-
lican party is not yet organized and
recruiting for it's ranks should not be
embarrassed by obstacles from within.
! What committee could judge of the sin
certify of a mans professions who wish
ed to join the party and yet had never
been a Republican? In any event what
could make him a Republican except
his professions? 1t would certainly not
be in order for a committee to examine
him on the tenets of Republicanism or
cross-examine as to his sincerity. The
COnvention-not a ELECTROMAGNETIC
that the party is yet in IT'S infancy,
that accession to it's ranks should not
be impeded by needless difficulties and
that restrictions should be deferred to
a time when dishonest primaries rem
dered their adoption imperative
| The payment of an admission fee into
the ranks of the party failed to impress
either faction of the Convention as an
| insurance of worth or honesty. To
| charge for the privilege of rendering
support is certainly a unique concep-
ton of a favor. The keeping open OF
the enrolment till the closing of the
| polls was not step in the interest of
dishonesty, but was designed to aug
ment the number of Republican voters
as far as possible in the first election.
The rule is not eternal and il abused
can readily be amended. On this last
| proposition the vote or the Convention
| was unanimous and so cannot be
charged to a faction
The idea of building UP exclusive
clubs and only allowing members of the
same to vote at primaries was so
atrocious that after consideration no
faction was found with the hardihood
to endorse It,
i never felt that the advocates of the
Objectionable rules over which the
Convention wrangled were actuated by
improper motives. They were simply
wrestling with something thrust upon
them and should have been grateful for
the light shed upon the deviousness of
| the rules by the opposition. I claim
for the opposition equal honesty of pur-
pose. That the right triumphed was
not due to a surrender OF q majority to
| a minority in the interest of harmony,
but to n conviction forced upon that
| majority by an intelligent minority
| that 1t (the majority had been made
the victim of a confidence game There
was no surrender Of principles but
merely an acquisition of common sense
IL there Is a lack of harmony owing
! TO the ascendency of an unworthy ele-
ment in the affairs of the party 1T is
! certainly to be deplored and can best
be remedied by every Republican turn
! ing up at the primaries and making his
vote felt. L heartily second your wish
for representation by the best men. !
! also think ii duty on the part of the
best men either personally or through
! their friends to make known their will
ingness 10 serve the party and their
! country This is a transition period
! a most critical one in the history of our
| country-and we cannot afford to con-
tide our interests to irresponsible men.
| Let us demand not only men that are
available for election but also men who
when elected will fill the requirements
upon them. This is by far the most
/ important election ever held here. On
the cabability and reliability of our
next legislators depend the advance
ment or retrogression Of the country