Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-12-13
Republican National Committee Holds Rousing
Meeting, tuesday,. Hill Of Maine Unanimous.
" Named for Chairman. THE National Con.
vention Meets at Chicago on June 18.

Washington, Dec. 12.-With little
trace of friction, the Republican Ma
tional committee met here, today, and
formulated the preliminary plans for
the campaign of 1912. The program
agreed upon was carried out eXpedit-
ously in two short sessions, aggregat-
ing barely more than two hours.
Chicago was chosen as the conyen
ton city and the call was issued for
the assembling of delegates on Tues
day, June Is, to nominate candidates
for President and Vice President. Act
ing Chairman John F, Hill, former
Governor of Maine, was unanimously
elected chairman of the committee, af-
ter the acceptance of the resignation
of Postmaster General Frank II.
Hitchcock, which went into effect on
April /, 1909. William Hayward of Ne
braska was elected secretary TO serve
until the new National committee is
organized in Chicago, in June.
The committee adhered to the con-
vention call of 1908, and the primary
question which had been the sole dis
turbing topic before the committee,
was left as it was, four years ago.
The champions of Presidential pref
erence primaries and statewide pri-
maries for the selection of delegates
to the convention in states where pri-
mary laws are not operative were de-
feated. They We're led by Senator Bor-
ah of Idaho, who eontented himself
with a minority report from the sub
cimmittee, on cali Of which he was
chairman and with a brief speech to
the committee.
The meeting was unique in two re-
spects There was complete absence
of bitterness and the proceedings We're
conducted with open doors.
Politically, the meeting was pro-
Taft. The Presidents advisers con-
trolled the situation. Early in the
day it became apparent that Secretary
Hills and Arthur Voyes. national
from Ohio. were in con-
troll. The Discrimination of Postmaster
General Hitchcock to endorse the Sc
lection of Col Harry S. New, former
chairman of the committee and
member from Indiana, as chair
man of the sub committee on arrange
ments was overcome and Mr.. Hitch
cock took no part in the proceedings
of the day. The southern committee
men. said to be opposed to Mr.. New
for fear that he favored reduction
of southern representative. voted for
the Indiana man.
The other members of the commit
tee are David Mulvane, Kansas;
Franklin Murphy. New Jersey Ar
thur l.. Voyes, Ohio; r. Williams.
Oregon; r. C. Duncan, North Caro-
lima and Victor Rosewater, Nebraska.
Chairman New announced after the
of the sub committee said his
committee meeting would be held in
in January, to begin the
work of organizing the convention
plans. The wish of the chairman
prevailed throughout the meeting. The
and New Workers who
had given publicity to the Roosevelt
contented themselves with
the progress they have made.
Walter Brown, leader of the Ohio
Roosevelt band, took no part in the
proceedings while National Commit
teeman William l.. Ward of New
York, who did not attend the White
House dinner, Monday night, was in
accord with the program adopted. A
committee of three was named to de-
wise rules and regulations for the ma
tional committee and it's officers,
which are to be reported to the 1912
convention. This committee consists
of Mr.. Brooks of Connecticut, chair
man, Mr.. Ward and Frank kellogg.
committeeman from Minnesota. Os-
tensibly, it's function is to devise rules
by which the treasurer and secretary
of the committee shall be given pplaees
in the committee and be entitled to
votes.
The expected and long-heralded row
over the primary question proved a flash
in the pan The following members of
the committee were appointed to draft
the CALI
Messrs. Borah. Idaho; Kellogg, Mimi;
Ward, n. Y: Rosewater, Neb.. and Ca
pers, S. C. The committee was appoint .
ed at the morning session, which began
at li30 o'clock and retired Immediately.
Within an hour the committee had agreed
to the report. Messrs. Kellogg. Ward
and Capers signed the majority report
which empowered states with primary
laws to select delegates by primary if
their committees so decided, and Mr..
Rosewater signed it with the reservation
that he favored the primary idea. M.
Borah submitted his minority report,
which added a provision that would per-
NIT Presidential primaries in all states,
regardless of the existence or non-exist-
ence of primary law.
When the committee resumed its meet
ing, at o'clock, Mr.. Borah presented
a report and explained the difference in
the two. He consented to an amendment
by Senator Penrose of Pennsylvania
which overcame the conflict between the
Continued on Page Twelve.)