The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-01-06
he universal rule in all parliamentary


pdTllam6aIaTy
bodies.
LAS to the vacancy in the national
committeeman nship the case is neces-
sarily somewhat different. Clearly the
state central committee could not de-
clare vacancy in the national COM
mittee. There Is precedent to the con-
trary however. On Aug. 80. 1897 the
PENNSYLVANIA state committee depos-
ed Hon. William F. Harrity from his
position as member Of the national
committee and elected Col Guffey in
his place. If Col. Guffey had been
elected by the delegation to the last
the national committee from Pennsyl-
vania he could not be displaced by
the Democratic state central committee
of Pennsylvania. But that was not
the case. Mr.. Kerr has been elected
by the delegation and Mr.. Guffey's
only title to the place depended upon
the actio nof the state central COM
mittee taken in March, 1909, in NAM
Ing him to I'LL the vacancy created by
Mr.. Kerr's death.
Talks of Guffey
From the time of this action on the
part of the state committee down to
the meeting In 1911 when 1t was re-
scinded. Mr.. Guffey had done nothing
In pursuance of his selection. The
Democratic national committee had
not met. He was consequently not up
on Its roll as member thereof. In
deed. it is doubtful II the vacancy
could actually. in point of law, be said
to have occurred until il should de-
velop at meeting of the national COM
mittee that one of its members had
died. At any time before such meet
ing OF the national committee the state
central committee of Pennsylvania
clearly had the right to rescind its ac-
ton in filling the vacancy and to name
person other than Col. GufYey to
take the place.
I'm conclusion we have only to say
that the decision of the national COM
mittee in this matter will have very
material effect upon the future Of the
Democratic party in Pennsylvania. The
refusal OF the national committee to
place Mr.. Palmer's name on its roll
and thus recognize the overwhelming
sentiment of the Pennsylvania Demo-
Gratis as evidenced by a vote of more
than two to one in the very commit
tee which had originally selected Col.
Guffey, would be construed by the citi-
zens of our state as approval on the
part Of the national democracy of
the action Of the leaders of the party
In Pennsylvania. which resulted in
thwarting the will of majority of the
people of the state in 1910 by the
election of Republican governor.
Looks to the Future
"It would be accepted as a con-
donation of an offense which received
the merited condemnation OF good citi-
zens everywhere. and would set back
for many years the fulfillment OF that
hope with which the political horizon
Is now radiant and which has filled the
minds of the good citizens of Penn
sylvania for many years-the hope Of
the redemption of Pennsylvania from
the hands of the powerful and uncon-
scionable political machine which has
controlled and disgraced it,
II wish you would make 1t plain that
this dispute is merely a family house,
cleaning" said Representative Palmer
today. There is no question of presi-
dental politics involved in the issue
between Col. Guffey and myself and
whatever may be the outcome at the
meeting of the national committee next
week the next delegation to the ma
tional convention will select the men,
ber of the national committee from
Pennsylvania in any event.