Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-12-20
New Mexico Man At Wash
ton Says Territorial Repre-
Sentation of More Than Two
Members Will Be Contested
GENERAL OPINION THAT
THE QUESTION Is SETTLED
Nothing New in the State
hood Situation-A Story BY
Uncle Joe Gannon-Jim
Hill and the Rivers and Har-
bOrS,
Hy VIII C. Barnes.)

washington, Dec. 1.-THE action Of
the republican national committee in
reducing the number of delegates %
the national convention to two has
made no i~nconsiderable stir in politi-
cal circles.
Not that it is in itself of such far
reaching importance to the country al
large, put that it is rather to b
taken as n Of the earliest Of the
campaign 'straws."
From conversations with different
persons here more or less in touch
with political affairs the following
seems to be about the way the matter
appears:
The number Of delegates named in
the call has been based upon the con-
gressional representation. At the first
Mckinley convention there was no
question as to the work of the con-
vention. Mckinley was the only one
thought of, hence the question of
numbers was Of little concern.
SO when the senators got together
and agreed that six delegates should
be sent from each district. Mr.. Hanna
made no objection as there vas moth
ing at stake and it was a case of the
more the merrier.'
This happened again at the second
Mckinley convention n again at the
last enc where Roosevelt was named.
no one cared how many came; the
result was absolutely certain, hence
no n objected.
However. this coming convention
promises to be no cut and dried affair,
but a field with not one, but many
"Richmonds" in sight.
The managers Of the campaigns or
the candidates felt thar it was almost
a fOregone conclusion that the terri
tories would naturally send Roosevelt
delegates or at least delegates VINO
would stand for any man after
Roosevelt that he favored.
Hence it was very easy to make a
deal that would put the territorial
representation at the very smallest
humble possible.
This was all arranged very quietly
before the meeting and was first Ike
up at the general meeting. Mr.. Luna
vigorously objected to it and on "a
motion Chairman New ruled h mat
ter as out Of order and everybody con-
sidered the matter closed.
Later on, however, a special COM
mittee Of three, which was appointed
carrier in the day. on organization,
brought in a report In which the rep
resentation Of the territories was
placed at two.
Mr.. Luna quickly objected TO it and
on a motion to strike ont two and in
sert six the vote went against us by
four majority. MIR. New voting for Mr..
Luna's motion.
The report further chucked the
matter by a new rule which states
that If any state or territory shall
send a greater number Of delegates
to the convention than ia authorized
by the call the whole delegation Will
be considered to be contested and will
be handled as contests always are.
The general opinion here among
men posted on the political situation
is that the question is settled and that
only two will be admitted, and if more
come the whole delegation Will be
kept out of the preliminary organiza-
ton and only admitted as the faction
in control sees fit.
And here is the whole situation IN
a nut shell. If six are sent and the
organization OF the convention is in
the hands Of those opposed TO a
Roosevelt man. they wont get in. IT
the administration friends are in con-
troll. probably they will be. Those
with whom ! have talked believe thar
the territories will best serve their in
~tercsts and purposes by taking no
chances and only sending two dele
gates.
The situation hasn't been helped a
little bit by the presidents last let
ter on his position AZ regards "A third