The advocate. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1901-1913, 1911-11-30

otherwise. While Diminishing the
chatrmanship question for the time
being, the committee and the coun-
try, as we'll as the Negro race, will
keep Mr.. Hilles in mind, and shape
their course on the hypothesis that
he will lead the forces to victory
In the great battle of 1912. -.
No Change Probable as to Southern
Representation.
The committee will have to wres-
tie again with the question, shall
the representation Of the southern
states In, the national convention be
reduced? The point Is being
made by radical northerners that
the south, without ability to re-
turn single electoral vote for the
nominee, should not be allowed a
greater strength in making the Sc
lection of a candidate than their
party vote justifies. Over against
comes the proposition that such a
change should carry with it cor
| responding reduction of represen-
tation in congress Of the states that
deny to their citizens a proper share
Of the suffrage The old line repub-
l1cans do not feel inclined to force
a section of the country to suffer be-
teause OF the villanous manipulation
of the ballot laws by bourbon oil
archy, nor do they wish to set the
seal of legal approval upon a system
OF suppression that nullifies the con-
st1tut1on Of the United States. TAX
ling chances on the south STANDING
by the right man for the presidency
las it undoubtedly will, in this
particular tnstance-it is likely that
the present method Of choosing del.
Iegates, will be permitted to remain
intact. To make assurances doubly
lsure, men Of strong influence in the
Isouth, like Col. Judson w. Lyons
who as national committeeman has
, put this measure to- sleep at least
three times, will be on hand to con.
tend for the welfare Of their sec.
ton. Col. Henry Lincoln johnson
fCol. Walter l.. Cohen, Charles
Banks, Editor We. King, OF
Texas, Editor M. M. Lewey, OF
Florida, Register J. G. Napier
former Recorder John G. Dancy
and others are expected to be
Within reach. and may present argu
ments to the national committee
against any reduction in the repre-
senation of the south in the conven
ton next June. Forecasters are OF
the opinion that the proposition tc
elect delegates by the primary
method will be defeated by an over
whelming majority.
No argument in favor of the pri
mary system, 1t is claimed, will off
set the fact that it is very expensive
That there Is no machinery to guar
antee an honest election, restricted
to bona fide republicans, and no Law
upon which such plan may be en-
forced uniformly throughout thu
j States Tn .colored people, alive tt
everything that is going on, are
frank to say they are opposed tc
nearly all of the innovations pro
posed, for the simple, but essentia
human reason that they are sug
= 1 gested in most part, by men MOI
friendly to the political aspirations
OF the race. They are content
| therefore, for the present, to "let
we'll enough alone"
/ Chicago will be selected as the
convention city, and the clans arc
anxious for an early call. The ma,
tfonal committee is for Taft by a
Dig margin, and his denomination
Will be favored by the body. 1t is
not thought that former President
Roosevelt will permit his name to
be used as a candidate, and it is ex-
pected that, at the proper time, he
Will announce for Taft. The colored
brother, offfce-holder and layman,
Will be on hand to make note of the
proceedings. To a larger extent
than has been true of any battle
since 1895, the Negro will be a fac
tor in the coming campaign. He
| Will make his potency felt in all of
the pivotal states. The stakes are
Dig, as he sees it, and he is ready
and anxious to get into the game,
he is ready for the band to play.