Evening journal., 1900-06-13
AL READY DECIDED

From the editorial columns of the
Philadelphia Press we take the follow
ing, which forcefully touches the situ-
alton here in Delaware:
Tomorrow the Republican National
Committee will meet and begin such
inquiry as II can into the various con-
tests for seats as delegates in next
week. convention to ascertain prima
facie title for the preparation of a pre-
liminaiy roll of membership
This work is one OF no small proper
tions, and it is necessary to begin it
early in order that a preliminary roll
may be ready by the time the conyen-
ton meets. The committee has no
power TO determine the contests They
will go before the convention itself, be
referred to the Committee on Creden-
tials and then return to the convention
In the form of a report from the COM
mittee for final action. The Commit
tee on Credentials is not appointed by
the temporary presiding officer OF the
convention. but will be made up of one
delegate from each state selected by
the state delegation, exactly as the
Committee on Resolutions and Perma-
nent Organization will be constructed.
There can be no permanent organiza-
ton or action by the convention until
all the contests have been settled and
a permanent roll made up and con-
firmed.
There are many contests to be de-
termined, notice having been received
from no less than eleven different
states, and In two instances, Alabama
and Delaware, the whole delegation
from the state is in dispute. AS has
been the case for years, the contests
are nearly all from the South. The
trouble is largely due to the fact that
no efficient party organization is main
tained in many Instances, and in some
there Is almost no pretense OF a form
OF organization, and when the time
comes for the election of delegates the
work Is done in a particularly slip
shod way, making it very difficult to
determine what authority is back of It,
In fact, IL strict test were applied in
some cases 10 would doubtless be de-
cided that neither OF the contests has
any title or valid credentials.
The practice sometimes adopted OF
admitting both sets of delegates, Civ
Ing each half a vote, has only served
a temporary purpose. lt has carried
the matter over the convention well
enough, but II has done nothing to pro
mote a distinctive and recognized party
organization in the states from which
the contests come. With n large num-
her Of the Republican voters in many
of these states practically disfran-
chised and the impossibility OF electinf
the party candidates it Is easy to ap-
preciate the difficulty OF maintaining
an organization OF the party from one
presidential campaign to another. II Is
this which makes the trouble and gives
/ opportunity for some to seek honors as
delegates who do not pretend at an,
other time to concern themselves about
the party.
IL Is wrong to have these dispute.
brought to every national convention
in such wholesale way. There may b,
no remedy for Il. but It is probable thai
II the matter were taken up with a de
cisive purpose a party organization
might be maintained In each OF tn,
states that could be given recognition
and many of these disputes avoided fo
the future. lt is worth their considera
tion OF the National Committee.
The st. Louis convention decided il
emphatlc manner that the Republican
party of which Postmaster Hugh c
Browne is chairman is the Republican
party Of Delaware. and that shoul
suffice for all time. That decision wa
recognized as just by the Republican
National Committee and the Republi
} can national administration.
n For the Addicke naonla 20 ,yo e., ~,
Philadelphia convention after bein
l. turned down by the st. Louis conven
e ton. is the height of folly. II the
c We're to get their just deserts the Phila
I delphia convention would call their al
n tention to the St Louis decision an
r refuse to bother themselves any furtht
s with a case already, TO all intents an
d purposes. definitely decided.