The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-12-12
Senator Hanna is Greatly P|eas-
 ed At the Prospects
IS GREETED BY APPLAUSE
Thanks Republicans for Their Support in 1900, and Says All That Is Now Necessary Is to
 Stand Pat"

Washington, December 1.-The republi- can national committee began its initial meeting preparatory to the presidential campaign of 1904 at the Arlington hotel at noon today. The committee which was called to order by Chairman M. A. Hanna, represented every state and territory, either by the regular member or by proxy, except Hawaii.
 The principal business to be transacted Is the selection of time and place for holding the next republican national con- vention. Neither of these questions were discussed at the meeting today When Senator Hanna called the meeting to or der he was greeted with>a round of ap- plause. He expressed briefly his thanks to the committee for the work in the campaign of 1900. saying:
 'I desire to improve this opportanity to thank the members of this committee for their hearty and loyal cooperation in the campaign of 1900 for which service they were chosen by this convention held in that year.
 From a personal standpoint it is pleasure to me to make this acknowleds- ment of unanimous and able support on the part of this committee in that organi- zation. Those of you who may be unfortu- nate enough to be chosen again will have more experience
 "Stand Pat" Again.
 All of interest to the republican party that centers in this meeting can be told in one word and that is success and all that is necessary to bring about that re- suit is to stand pat upon the principles and policies of that partyr
 This statement was greeted with hearfU applause. Chairman Hanna explained that all meetings of the committee would be public except at the meeting tomorrow, when balloting for place to hold the next convention would take place.
 tribute was paid to the late George Wiswell of Milwaukee, sergeant-at-arms of the committee.
 Perry l. Heath, the secretary, then read the call of the meeting stating its pur- pose. A number of communication were then read including one from the nation- al republican league, asking for oppor- tunities to be heard on the question of some plan of cooperation between the league and the national committee. Tn the past campaign the league was SUD- piled with funds and literature and this plan is favored again.
 Heath Presents Resolution.
 MT Heath also presented the resolution of Gen. c. R. Brayton of Rhode Island, looking to the readjustment of the basis of membership in the national conven- tion. This same question was voted down by the committee four years ago.
 General Brayton announced that while he had intended to present a resolution regarding the basis of membership to the national convention, he had since ar- irving in Washington been informed that 1t would be inopportune to bring up the question at this time, and he should not do so. This statement elicited applause on the part of the committee.
 Chairman Hanna, in outlying the pro- gramme of the committees session, said the committee would go immediately to the White House at o'clock to pay tour respects to the President of the United States"
 This, he said, would close the proceed ings for the day. Tomorrow the session will begin at 10 o'clock when time will be given to the committees representing cities desiring the convention to present their claims