New-York tribune., 1906-06-29
PERKINS TO CUMW
hid of National Committee Sought
Action Nay Presage Surrender.
nv Telegraph q nae Trlbune. ]

Sioux City. Iowa June 2S-What is looked on
in political circles in Iowa tonight as the di-
rect outcome of a reported conference at the
White House yesterday. attended by Secre-
taries Shaw and Wilson. Senator Dollfver and
Congressman Lacey and Cousins. is letter
sent Governor Cummins this afternoon by
George D. Perkins, of this city, stand pat
candidate for Governor against Mr. Cummins
offering to submit the chaotic guhernatoriaI
matter TO arbitration Further. the action is
generally looked on as the first f1utter of the
white flag of surrender of the Perkins faction
Since Senator Allison declared for the square
deal" in Dubuque County division of the dele
cation has been shown in all the other coun-
ties Dallas and Buchanan County caucuses
went for Cummins yesterday. and Marion is the
last in the state to Cummins has the ma
jority of delegates. aside from contests. II has
just been discovered that sixteen -year-old rule
denies the right of the state committee TO make
up the temporary roll This blocks the plan to
jockey Cummins of the place. Perkins now
suggests that the chairman of the National Re-
publican Committee select three commissioners
from remote states to settle the contests and
make rules governing the preliminary proceed
ings OF the state convention -
Apparently anticipating refusal from Gov
ernor Cummins. Mr. Perkins invites a counter
proDosition Some skepticaI factionalists de-
clare Secretary Shaw is behind this proposal.
3 and that it is loaded" hence that Governor
Cummins. while he may favor arbitration will
cautiously view any proposition which may
emanate from Mr.. Shaw.
The text of Perkinss letter follows:
My Dear Governor: am reluctant to take the
initiative in suggesting any plan looking to a
peaceful solution Of the perplexing question now
confronting the Republican party of this state.
] assume that you, equally with myself. desire
that the convention shall be orderly and above
suspicion of Intentional wrong. We mutu-
ally desirous am free to say. to shield the
party name from dshonor and to bring about
the nomination of a ticket that the sincere mem
bership OF the party Loyalty and unitedly
support The time for calm action is now
The pre-c convention campaign has been heated,
the struggle for delegates has never been
equalled in our state and the contest has
down TO the closing days without a clear settle
n1ent as to the choice of the party for the NOM
1natiOn for Governor. The balance OF power is
with the delegates that are contested. and these
contests, 10 my mind. should be impartially and
intelligently determined, the end that conf
dence may be established in the integrity of the
conventions determinations. Neither you
want nomination involving a double title or a
suspicion of it,
Now, what can be done to promote a fair ad-
tustment? II has occurred TO me that we might
ask for the intervention of the Republican Ma
uona! Committee. Would you be willing TO join
in a request to the chairman of the national
committee that he appoint a commission of
three, the choice 10 be made from states suffi-
cienty separated from our state to secure i'm
partiaiity and freedom from predetermination to
hear and determine the issues that have arisen?
My thought is that such commission should be
empowered 10 hear all contests, and upon its
nnd1ng make up temporary roll, be binding
upon all parties; and, further that such a com
mission be authorized TO prescribe the parlia-
mentary rules by which the convention should
be governed In all its preliminary work
II a plan Of this kind be agreed 10 il would
he necessary Of course. that we should person
ally oblgate ourselves to abide by the action of
the commission, to our full influence TO
nave their conclusions accepted by the conver-
ton and to exert all our power to have the plan
ana conclusions thus framed carried out in good
faith.
II this suggestion. prompted only by my desire
10 place the common welfare OF the party above
personal concern, does not meet your specific ap-
proval, trust not mistaken in assuming
that the object in view has your cordial in
dorsement Therefore, am not without conf
dence that some plan can be mutually agreed TO
that will secure creditabe adjustment and
save the convention from hasty and imprudent
action, harmful 10 the party and mOrtifytng to
those against whom responsibility must be
lodged.
am not personally disposed in this matter 70
ignore the authority Of our state committee and
my suggestion would be. should you agree with
me on the general proposition, to petition our
own committee 10 take up the matter with the
chairman OF the national committee.
should consider il an honor TO be favored
with your early reply. Respectfully.
GEORGE D. PERKINS