Evening journal., 1904-08-11
THURSDAY. AUGUST II. 1904.
CANDIDATES RIGHTS.

II hH ieeolutloN NuVptea lh rue VA
piflng moments OF the Republl-
can convention. giving very
board powers to the state Committee
in the matter OF the final arrangement
Of the ticket, has occasioned more dis
cussion than any other act OF the con-
vention.
As generally lyinterpreted, means that
the convention delegated to tho state
committee power to arrange a ticket
TO suit itself, Notwithstanding the sol-
emn act Of the convention in naming It's
candidates.
To our mind this view is utterly mis-
taken, and we belive that the last
clause in the resolution is without ef-
feet and should not have been in
ciuded. We think there is little doubt
that any candidate named. should he
become convinced that his resignation
was desired. and that the interests Of
the party demanded 81, would comply
but we also think that any man on the
ticket would refuse to step down with
out being assured Of such party neees-
slty. We are convinced that no person
on the ticket win voluntarily retire IN
order 70 make place for some favor
ste OF the state committee or Of meme
bers thereof. But we repeat that any
Of them would probably sacrifice his
personal ambitions to the necessity OF
his party; but the need must be actual
ana apparent
Now It is our belief that the State
committee has no real power to remove
any one Of these candidates without
his consent. Had the resolution giving
the state committee its powers been
passed before the nomination Of candi-
dates they would have been bound by
81; but they were nominated without
conditions and accepted without condi-
lions, and any resolution passed subse-
quently cannot bind them without their
assent to H.
For IL is fact that when these gem
tlemen accepted the honor conferred by
the convention and expressed theii
thanks. they did so without any pledge.
to get off the ticket and without any
thought Of Il. The nominations were
made unconditionally, and were accept
ed unconditionally; and any subsequent
act intended to limit the rights OF can
didates requires their assent In orde
to have any force.
But what is the Intent OF such reso
lutlon? And what was In the minds o
its supporters? Mr. A. is a delegate ant
he has secured the nomination Of hi
friend. Mr.. b. He then votes for
resolution giving the State committe
power to remove candidates. But h
does not mean that 1t shall apply &
Mr.. B. Oh, no; it applies only to IN
other fellow. 1t might mean that tn
candidate with powerful friends on tn
committee viii stay. while one VIII
lacked this Would be asked to step oui
Vow We are not opposing a harmoni
Gus state ticket. one that can be sup
ported by all; but we think that
would have been better had relianc
been placed on the unslhshness an
party spirit Of the candidates them
selves. for upon that we must rely ans
way. We had an example OF this spir
the other day when Mr.. Ross, with tn
nomination in his grasp, voluntarily r'
tired in the interest OF an equitable
vision of the Offices. The candidate
named BY the convention are inspire
by motives no less generous; but the
win not be coerced. and they viii NJ
step aside to make way for a tick
which would mean a dishonorable con
promise.