The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1904-01-26
CONGRESSMAN
ARE FEARFUL
Advise. Against Same Convention
Selecting District Delegates
and Delegates at Large.
Say Such Course Might Result
in Minnesota Being Barred
at Chicago.
From The Journal Bureau, Colorado Building

From The Journal Bureau, Colorado Building,
Washington. ass 'a...
Washington, jan 26.-Republican
members of the MINNESOTA delegation
in congress to-day, after q conference,
issued "a statement to }ta&e republican
voters of the state. was called
forth by. the infornpat1on >, that the
party is planning toAselect delegates
to the Chicago cony8ntion from the
several congressional districts Of the
state at the same time and place that
the elegates-at-large are selected.
The statement, which is in the form
Of an interview with Representative
Stevens of ST.. Paul, is asJfol1ows:
We have noticed here that several infiu-
entail republican newspapers In Mime
sofa have suggested that TO save trouble
and expense the delegates to the national
convention should. be selected at the same
time and place as delegates -at-large from
the state. We think this would be a seri-
Gus mistake and might lead to the dis
of districts selecting dele
gates. - ~ "a "a. !. rt'@ ~ -s#
s. Since 1880, the year 7of the Grant and
Blaine contest, the national convention
has held that district delegates must be
elected in district conventions, called for
that purpose. Any other method would
subject the delegates elected to the pen
atty Of being excluded from the conven-
ton, should any objection be raised. A
conference has been had in Washington
with many prominent republicans who will
be influential in the next republican ma
tional convention and they say that if dis
trict delegates are selected by or with a
state convention in any state, some one
will assume the responsibility of making
an objection to their being seated in the
national convention.
The reason for this would not be on ac-
count of any present difficulty, but be-
cause it would establish a precedent for
fairs Of the party in the several districts.
This would never be tolerated by the re-
publican national convention.
State Committees Authority.
The only authority the state committee
can have in the election of delegates from
any congressional district is the power to
select a temporary district committee to
call a convention for the district, in cases
where there is no regular committee on
account Of reapportionment or otherwise.
In Minnesota there has been a reappor-
tionment, and the call Of the national COM
mittee does not cover regular conditions
in that state. So, under the circum-
stances, to prevent confusion and possible
contests, it has been deemed advisable to
request the state committee to designate as
the temporary committees to call the sew
eidl OlSlilCL cOuVellIlOIl the u1SCTlC CAM
paign committees of 1902
This will prevent trouble and contests.
Under the rules of the last national con-
vention the several congressional districts
cannot be deprived of representation by
any action of any committee or organiza-
ton unless they themselves forfeit the
right of representation. This they do by
neglecting to hold district conventions.
Speaking for myself, shall strongly ad-
wise the fourth district congressional COM
mittee to hold the usual district conven-
ton to select delegates in the. usual man
ner. Any other course might deprive our
people Of the privilege of assisting in
the nomination of President Roosevelt
It is pointed out by Mr.. Stevens
that Virginia once lost her delegates
in national convention because she
selected them as Minnesota seems pur-
posing to do now.
Ali republican members Of the dele
cation indorse the Stevens statement
and have written Judge Jamison to-
day, urging separate district conven-
tons within the confines of the dis
tricts.
w. w. Jermane.