The morning journal-courier., 1908-03-02
INSTRUCTED DELEGATIONS.

INSTRUCTED DELEGATIONS.
 It is like enceuntering an old friend on the highway of life to once again greet the familiar controversy over the advisabiity of sending instructed delegations to the national nominat- ing conventions. Once in four years it comes up for discussion, and once in four years 1t is approached by the contending parties from the point of view which happens to hold them at the moment and according to the po- liticsl needs of the hour. Many will recall the hot controversy in the Re- publican party in Connecticut in 1ss6 when the Mckinley forces under the direction of MT. Porter sought to com init the convention called to elect del- egates to his canvass. task which was made impossible by the equally confident view of the Reed forces un- der the direction of MT. Fessenden that instructions would take from the delegation that dignity which proceeds theoretically from independence.
 It is wh ,lly conceivable that under different conditions 1t would have been the Reed organization that would have argued for instructions, while the Mckinley organization exposed the folly of such locking-up of pos. sibly useful missionary service. So far as this year is concerned the Dem- ocrats have little interest in the con- troversy, though 1t will be remember ed that as far back as 1892, while the convention declined to send an in- structed delegation to the nominating convention instructed for Grover Cleveland. because of the preference of three of the delegates for MT. Hill what the convention failed to do the delegation did in another way It held a meeting on the way 10 Chicago and by a vote of nine to three established the unit rule, which amounted to defi- mite instructions. This year 1t appears to be conceded that the Democratic delegation will subject itself to the wishes of MT. Bryan. If he desires to have the delegation instructed for him the convention will gladly submit But no such unanimity of opinion exists among the Republicans, who are strangely torn apart over the question of favorite sonhood. It Is admitted that MT. Taft will have a majority of the delegates from Connecticut, but thus far no reason whatever 1as been given why he will not be able to con- trol the entire fourteen. There are ru- mors over the alleged attitude of the two senators from this State in con gress, which is said to be one of gen. tlemanly opposition to the Taft move ment because of his close relations with President Roosevelt; they like Taft, but not enough to overcome their prejudice to his chief.
 It Is on account of this situation that the question of an instructed del- egation Is discussed with more than the usual agitation The friends of Taft favor instructions of course, but are compelled to meet an opposition which is the more irritating to them because it fails to present candidate Says the Hartford Courant, which has enthusiastically nailed the Taft flag to its masthead: But nobody who goes about the State has any doubt what the people of Connecticut want. Not day goes by but many calls and letters are received at this office from enthusiastic Republicans who want to be sure that Connecticut Is not mis- represented at Chicago The sentiment Is increasing, and 1t may be set down as sure that the convention will be made aware of It's existence and it's strength" This provokes the question instanter: What reason is there if the Republican voters of Connecticut, as they are represented in the conyen- tion, want Taft why the convention should omit instructions? It is said for one thing that tradition is against in- structions, and for another thing it is said that delegation under instruc- tions is deprived both of its political dignity and power. The Republ'-an voters of this State must be made of poorer stuff than we had supposed if they accept such philosophy as this. Tradition is o-ien a fine thing to pre- serve, but q tradition which works steadily tn defeat the will of the ma- jority may be said to have given up its character and to have become an obstacle to free government There is 8 tradition in many of the cities If the country that a double-h headei local legislature is necessary Instrument of government, but the movement to- wards eliminating II gains strength