The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-12-28
Movement is on Foot in Michigan
to Give G. 0. P. Delegates
Free Hand
SIX DELEGATES AT LARGE
State Convention Date Soon to be
Named by Committee
Politics Are Beginning to Move Ahead.
No Presidential Prefer
ence Primary.

The announcement that Chairman
Knox will call the Republican state
central committee together about the
middle OF the coming month is the
first sign that the political campaign
of 1919 is about to open in Michigan.
The central committee will no doubt
fix the date OF the state convention
which will choose the delegates at
large TO the Chicago convention at
nominate presidential candidate. Un-
usual interest attaches to this c0nven-
ton because of the uncertain cOndi-
tions arising from the contest against
President Tafts denomination.
Uninstrueted Delegation?
These conditions indicate that a
strong effort Will he made to send an
unlnstructed delegation to the Chicago
convention. The Taft men no doubt
win make n vigorous fight for instruc-
tlons for his denomination. and lively
contest I'm such event will be brought
ON. Already signs of a movement for
an uninstructed delegation are 10 be
observed.
The delegates will be chosen in the
customary way-by convention. a
movement for presidential prefer
cncc primary. state wide, was born a
few weeks ago. evidently fostcred by
the IaFollette boomers, but ii was fec
bile. depending for life upon the calling
of an extra session of the legislature
10 amend the primary law to provide
for the presidential preference v0e'
1t has dropped out Of sight, as the gov
cinor Is not likely to call - session OF
the Legislature for that sole purpose
or indeed for any other purpose, un-
less an emergency Of mmediency
arises so vital to the welfare of the
state that II would be plainly demand
ed.
Six Delegates at Large.
This unlikclihood Of an extra ses-
sion also bears upon the choice oI
national convention delegates in an
other way. Under the congressiona
reapportionmcnt, based ON the l9l'
census, Michigan is entitled to l3 con
gressmen. instead of II as now. Eacl
state Is accorded two delegates iron
each congressional district and four a
large. in the Republican national con
ventlon. In the convention OF l'V
Michigan had 2S delegates: IN mex
years convention it will be entitled Il
80. this because of the addition oil on
more congressman. 1t viii be neces
sary for the legislature to rc-disulc
the state into congressional district
Ia provide for this additional congress
man. Unless "A special session rs can
ed. ii cannot do this until the mex
regular session. I'm 1913 Therefore !
providc It's full representation IN con
t-ress. the state will elect congress
man at large next fall, the thlrieeh'
man-the others being c.,cted from W
districts an now constitu' d.
Thus this situation ir similar wa
must be recognized by the state del'
gate convention-the present cor
grcssional districts will elect ~ ulS
trict delegates, (two from each) u
state convention will choose the usu'
four at large and two additional
large, six In all, to make up the puo'
of 30 delegates from the state SiN ue
egatcs at large Will present mo-
unusual condition. II VIII mean III
these places, which are considered u
most honorary in party councils w
bc hlled by men prominent IN the q
fairs of the state and the party
Who Will Be Dele9atesE
or coursc IL is too early to lea
much as to who are likely TO he chose
II has already been stated that par
leaders believe Governor Osborn shou
be accorded the first position as ue'
eate-at-i large and IL he So desires INC
will be hardly any opposition 10 !
selection. Whether the two uhi'
states senators wish TO attend the u
tlonaI convention as delegates Is
known but II is not thought that u"
will when the time comes.
The upper peninsula. or Tweli'h 90
grcssional district, will be represen'
by two district delegates, and Tor u
honor. william -. Calverley OF Hous
ton and Capt Richards OF Crys
Falls are mentioned. Both are POI
lar and II Is believed they wiu
chosen.