Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-08
Statement Of Presidents At
titude Unwarranted.
MR.. PAYNE EMPHATIC
SOUTHERN REPRESENTATION IN
REPUBLICAN CONVENTIONS.
The President Will Not Interfere in
Speakership Contest Discusses
Campaign With Mr.. Babcock.

name of the President with the statement
| published today that the administration is
in favor OF a change in the basis of and a
reduction in the representation of the south
ern states In republican national conven-
| tons and in the House Of Representatives"
Postmaster General Payne made this
statement today as he left the executive
office after conference with the Prest-
dent:
MY position on the question of the basis
Of representation in republican national
conventions" continued Mr.. Payne, 'is well
understood. For many years 1 have be-
| lieved that the present basis is unfair and
| an improper one.
II believe so now. and expect always to
believe SO. and l hope to see that basis
| changed by the next national convention.
| There is no power to change the basis of
| representation by action Of the convention
| itself"
| 1t is understood on very excellent author
| 1ty that the President has at different
times listened to an expression of Mr..
Payne's views on this question and has dis
| cussed the subject with his Postmaster
| General. He has not, however committed
| himself to the proposition.
| Postmaster General Payne has not hest
| tated for years to declare that he believed
| that southern republicans were not entitled
| to the vote they have IN a national conven-
| ton reduced in accordance with their vot-
ing strength in an election.
| Mr. Payne has not changed his views be-
| cause of his connection with the admins
| tratton and If he has opportunity will con-
| tinue to urge his views before the repub-
| lican national committee, of which he is a
| member. and the next republican national
| convention. The fight would first come up
| in the republican national committee, Of
| which Senator Hanna Is chairman, and
| later in the convention.
| Could Not Interfere.
| An effort is to be made to have the adj
| ministrat ton give at least an indirect inf1u-
! ence to Representative Cannon in his con-
| test for the speakership. The idea has been
| suggested to the President, but 1t is, of
| course, unlikely that he will do anything to
| indicate his preferences. He Is a hearty
| admirer Of the abilities and fitness of Rep
| resentatfve Cannon, but for the speakership
| he could not well afford to be placed in
| the position of favoring this or that candi-
! date.
Representative-elect. Billy Lorimer, the
head of the Chicago republican machine,
! was a caller at the White House today with
! George w. Human. editor of the Chicago
Inter Ocean. Both are hearty supporters of
MIR. Cannon's candidacy, and they think
| that he ought to have administration back
| Ing. They talked with the President for a
| long time.
President Roosevelt's Popularity.
Representative Prince of Illinois, who Is
in Washington departmental business
| had brief talk with the President
president Roosevelt" said he. sis the
most popular man in public life in this
| country today. This Is not merely a bou-
| quet. but statement of an absolute fact.
l sincerely believe that If it had not been
| for his aggressive action in the anthracite
| coal strike the republicans would have
lost t1nI ~, fI1 IN L.
| Presidents popularity is increasing every
| day. He has the CALL and before the
| people his honesty, sincerity, vigor and
| ability are making him stronger constantly"
The President saw number of his cabi-
| net officers today. Besides Postma ster
| General Payne, he had conferences with
| Secretary Hay. Attorney General Knox and
Secretary Hitchcock.
Indians See the "Great Father"
! Ex-Representative Springer was at the
| White House with delegation of Kiowa
| Indians from Oklahoma. who are dissatis-
| fed with their agent Mr.. Randlett, and
| desire him removed. The callers were
Lone Wolf, Kiowa Bill, Little Bow and
/ Robert Anisty They left with the Presi-
| dent protest against the continuation of
Agent Randlett in his present position.
| The President will refer the matter to the
| Secretary of the Interior.
| Senator Mitchell of Oregon, accompanied
y. n.
called on the President. Senator Mitchell
| said that the republican party was in ex-
| cellent condition and in high favor with the
! people.
Discussing the Campaign.
| Representative Babcock. whose success
| full conduct of the congressional campaign
| has won him much praise, and none more
| nattering than that Of the President him.
| self talked with the President about the re-
suits of the campaign. The President said
| many pleasant things to Mr.. Babcock about
| the Iatter's most efficient work.
| South Carolina Collectorship.
Capt. John G. Capers. republican national
| committeeman from South Carolina, called
| on the President with R. r. Talbert, who
| has been settled upon by the republican
organization of South Carolina as it's can
| didate for collector of customs at Charles
| ton Mr. TaTbert had considerab BILE trouble
| in South Carolina in what were known as
| the Greenwood riots. having been driven
| from town by political opponents. He has
| been a lifelong republican and has bitter
! enemies among the democrats
| The chances are decidedly strong that
! the President will give the colleetorship to
DR.. w. D. Crum. colored. of Charleston.
DR.. Crum has comparatively no backing
except that Of Prof. Booker Washington
The latter was director Of the colored ex-
hfbit at the Charleston exposition, while
DR.. Crum Was the vice director. There they
became we'll acquainted. The main aues--
ton with the President will probably be
whether the white people of Charleston