New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-31
TBF NATIONAL COMMITTEE

The suggestion that members or the
present Republican National Cominit'ee
shall be recalled in favor of substitutes
named nv delegations to the approach
ING national convention not yet legally
seated or organized is more than revo-
lutionary. 1t is preposterous. far'y
rules and usage long ago decided that
the terms of national committeeman
should begin with the adjournment of
national convention. That is an arrange
ment of common sense. While the con
vention is i'm session its powers are un-
limited. When it adjourns 1t coniidcs
interregnum authority to direct Inc
affairs of the party 10 the national com
mttee whose tenure necessarily lasts
until the next convention has been or
ganized. Vacancies In membership oc-
curing in the interval are filled by the
action of state conventions or state
committees.
II Is evident that the power to name
new committeeman cannot he exercised
by delegations to the convention Of 1912
until those delegations have been seated
and directed by the committee on organi'
cation TO make selections. No vacancies
exist until the permanent roll OF the
convention has been made up. Captain
Harry S. New, chairman Of the sub
committee on arrangements for the con
vention. is absolutely right in saying:
The term Of a national committeeman
begins with the adjournment Of The con-
NentiOn. when the new members always
are called upon to meet and assume their
olrcal duties This is the rule and prac-
tee Of the party, and is as old as the
party itself. There is no just demand
nor reasonable excuse for departure
from this rule. in my opinion.
The national committee exercises a
necessary function in party government
Committeeman are trustees TO whom the
interests Of the national party between
conventions are cpnfided. lnasmuch a.
they are required TO certify TO each new
convention Il temporary roll Of members
recognizing those delegates who present
either unchallenged or satisfactory primd
tGCiC titles. ii is the part Of wisdom TO
lSlhtt 'I'hl lVhi t'diH hil'h'' ~
as 10 separate their choice as far rs pos
sible from the entanglements of "A close
fight for the Presidential nomination
The committee is expected TO act with
out partisan or fractional bias and to oh
serve party rules and precedents in de-
Gliding between claimants for seats. II
is the agent Of the party as a whole
and not Of any part Of It.
There is no reason to doubt that the
present national committee will live up
TO the honorable record made by its
predecessors. As Captain New says, its
members "are men of character and
standing and are entitled to somej re-
"spect Attempts OH the part of men
representing or processing TO represent
Colonel Roosevelt 10 bully and brOwbeat
them will fail Of effect They are en-
powered 10 report to the convention n
temporary roll Of delegates made up
according to their best Judgment on the
record submitted TO them. TO assume
that they Will not discharge that grave
duty conscientiOusly and equitably is to
offer an affrOnt to the Republican Ma
tional Committees long record Of faith
full and upright dealing. The present
committee will not be swerved from its
duty by foolish and impOtent threats.