Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-05-29

pected to take such action as II may
consider advisable for the general
| good OF the party" The expectation
! is that sixty days after adjournment
OF the extra session the probable po-
litical results Of the new tariff bill may
! be foreseen with enightening effect
| upon the most promising line of OPP
position.
When the republican national COM
mittee meets in the late fall or early
winter, if changes in bylaws regard
ing, national convention representation
appear to be needed to rehabilitate the
party, the necessary changes may
be made without going to the trouble
and expense of holding national
convention next year. The advisability
of reducing southern representa-
ton and recognizing state primary
laws was much discussed at the
Washington meeting. A well de-
fined opinion was found to exist
that the national committee is not
prevented by any rule from adopt
ing the changes proposed. Nor was
there any opposition to making such
changes in the party bylaws as may
be dictated by political eXpediency. On
all of the matters under consideration
there appeared to be unanimous dis
position to do what seemed to be best
calculated to conserve party interests
Long before the republican national
committee meets late in the year ii
may be disclosed that the proposed
remedies for republican ills are not
to be attained so easily as their advo-
Gates propose. Take the matter OF
southern representation, for instance.
No northern republican has liked the
admitted drawbacks in connection with
southern representation Quadrien-
nially some of the most prominent re-
publican leaders in the north worked
hard for a change. The reduction
of southern delegations might have
been effected in 1908 if President
Roosevelt had not put a veto on the
plan. AS a question of justice be-
tween northern and southern repub-
Leans. there is no argument if the
northernners want to stand on their
right to representation in proportion
TO voting strength. But there are mat
terS of principle 10 be considered.
There is potential republica voting
strength in the south. 1t is kept
away from the polls by local laws and
y
TO acQuiesce in this democratic sup
preston of a right guaranteed the
negro in the constitution: If the re-
publican party is willing not to have
the negro count in it's own ranks, is it
willing 20 let the opposition use the
voting negroes in swelling the rep
resentation of democratic states in
congress? This question of principle
civ ievI,. ;,7In
issues between the parties if such
economic questions as tie tariff. trusts
and currency could be got out of the
way. 1t is one thing TO propose a re-
duction in sectional representation in
national convention; It is another
thing to give formal acceptance and
approval to sectional nulification OF
part of the federal constitution.
Nor is republican acceptance of ma
tional delegates elected under state
primary laws so simple and logical as
may apear at first glance. Accept
ance of the principle means republican
acceptance of any delegates that may
be elected under regulations prescribed
by a democratic Legislature. 1t Ger
tainly m cans abandonment of the time
honored republican policy of repre-
sem dliCIi pN u.StiiSAs Aiiu Acceptance
OF the democratic policy OF unit rule
for state delegations.
Do republicans generally want to
change the principles upon which their
party has dealt with these important
matters Of party policy? Superficial.
the indication is that the proposed
changes are favored by the rank and
file. II is well there is to be plenty
Of Cor n
fore it will he necessary 10 come to a