Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1904-03-10
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REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION

REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION
The republican state central CON-
mittee will meet on Tuesday the 18th
inst at Fargo to fix the apportionment
and issue a call for a state conven-
ton to elect eight delegates to the
republican national convention to be
held at Chicago June 21st.
What shall the apportionment be?
In the last state convention the ap-
portionment was based on the average
of the highest and lowest vote in each
county cast for any candidate except
ing superintendent of public instruction,
railroad commissioners and judge
giving one delegate for every so
votes or major fraction of so and 2 at
large for each county. This made q
convention in 1902 of 744 delegates.
This was considered by many as al
together too large convention. On
the same basis this year the conven-
ton will consist of 73O delegates. The
question now presents itself-should
not this apportionment be cut down.
The size of the North Dakota repub-
lcan convention is entirely out Of
proportion to the vote as compared
with other states and it is impossible
to find in any city in the state ade-
quate accommodations for the dele
gates either in the way of meeting
place or at hotels.
It has been suggested that in the
call this year the basis be made on
each 100 votes or major fraction and
2 at large for each county. This will
probably be looked upon as too radi-
cal a change and it is suggested that
a happy medium" be struck by
adopting Is as the basis. This
would make a convention of Sill dele
gates, still a very large gathering
when it is taken into consideration
that there are always large number
of representative party workers pres
ent at state conventions who are not
delegates and the hotels are required
to take care of an unusual crowd.
In order that a comparison may be
made between an apportionment
based on so votes and on Is the
Tribune publishes in tabular form
the name of each county, the highest
and the lowest vote in each county
and the number of delegates each
county would be entitled to under
each scheme of apportionment
Consideration of accommodations and
opportunity to see, hear and be heard
argues in favor of the smaller con
vention.
The question of fixing the dates fol
both state conventions that are to be
held this year is also presented. Some
counties desire to hold but one con
vention for all purposes and if the
dates and apportionment Of the two
state conventions are fixed at this
time the various counties can exercise
their own Judgment in the matter
The first state convention must be
held prior to May 21st under regula-
lions prescribed by the national COM
mittee. 1t is advisable that the date
of the state convention be fixed at a
time when it will the least interfere
with seeding operations and this car
i best be determined after conference
> of the committeeman familiar with the
conditions in each section of the
!, state. In some parts of the state
seeding will begin early, in other sec.
tions where there is much snow the
season Is likely to be backward. The
calling of county conventions allows
some leeway in this regard and coun.
ty committees can be governed By
the local conditions. s$t
The 10th or 18th of May for the first
convention at Fargo and some time
In July for the second convention al
Grand Forks. would. it is believed
meet with general favor. Possibly a
later date for the second convention
B 70 save q long campaign for the candi.
dates would be preferable, but It Il
IA national campaign year and It viii
be better 70 get all nominations on,
of the way as early as possible Thu
active campaign can then bs made Il