Norwich bulletin., 1913-12-17

Aye-1ndfana, Kansas, Louisiana, l Massachusetts. Michigan, Missouri, New Mexico, New York, North Da- kota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South l Dakota Washington and West Vir- I ginia--14
 1 After this ballot, progress was mark I ed by a friendly spirit with an ex- 1 pressed desire to harmonize and to l face the common political enemy
 with q re united and solidifled party. Sub committee to Arrange Details. l The resolution adopted by it's own l terms expresses the party's faith in l primary election of delegates and in l the right of state to choose them at 1 large, but details of the method of
 reducing southern representation were S left to a special sub committee com | posed of Chairman Hilles, and Conn mitteeman Warren of Michigan Borah, l Idaho; Shoot, Utah Hadley (Louis- l tana- proxy), Howell. Nebraska; Es- 1 terbrool, New Hampshire; Barnes, l New York; Saunders, Tennessee and ] Remmell, Arkansas. The sub- commit ] tee expects to make a report at a meeting of the full committee tomor- row. 1t was predicted tonight that 1t would favor a compromise between the l plan advocated by the republican con greSsional committee and by Chairman Htlles and other leaders. This plan would provide for four delegates at large from each state, one from each congressional district and additional delegates from each congressional dis trict where the republican vote bears 8 certain ratio to the total vote
 With the adoption of the report of
 this sub- committee the national com mittee will adjourn probably until 1916.
 Borah Opposes Special Convention.
 In bringing in a plan for reduced rep resentation, the subcommittee will suggest how the plan shall be ratified by the republican voters in all states.
 The much tall<ed-of referendum requir- ing that the plan must be approved by the republicans in states which cast two-thirds of the total party vote in 1908 was still in favor at tonight's meeting.
 Debate during the day practically was limited to a discussion of the need of a special national convention. Senator Borah loomed out as the dominant fig ure among the committeeman who op
 posed a special convention, while for mer Governor Hadley of Missouri and William Barnes, Jr., of New York led the forces allied in it's support. If there was an inclination toward bitterness at time and if pictures were drawn of why things happened to the party in 1912. they were not dWelt upon at length. and it was plain from the be- ginning of the meeting that the com
 nitteemen realized that the pressing question up for their decision was not the method of change but the change itself.
 T would not. be candid with myself" said the senator, If I did not express my judgment in the situation that con fronts us The great contest which will determine whether the republican par ty is to resume supremacy or pass into history will be settled in 1916. All other skirmishes, no matter how much they 11or in ary. We can afford to be cautious and patient in preparing for that great con fiict If l did not believe that the re- publican party was progressive and that 95 per cent. of the members of the party have a heart interest in the great problems confronting the nation 1 would not remain a. member of the par ty But my obseryations and investi- gations convince me that the rank and file of this party organization are just as much alive to the problems. of this hour as were the men in the forefront of the party from 1856 to 1884.
 The Advantage of Waiting.
 If the republican party adopts a re- actionary platform in 1916 it will be- come nothing but the voice of the aris- tocracy believe it is progressive and want to gather up that progressive sentiment and crystalline in 1916. If we call a convention in 1914 what po- sition will we be in There are states with primary laws not adapted for a na- tionaI convention except for the selec- | tiOn of a national ticket. Such con- vention would inevitably result in the selection of hand-piczed delegates In two thirds of the states, and any plat form promulgated would not be true of the rank and file of the people and would not be one upon 1 which the party would be able to go to the country in the next congressional election. Let US therefore, here and now, displaying somewhat the qualities of real leadership, adopt a basis of rep resentation and say to the people that they shall in the future select their del- egates to the national conventions. By 1916 every state wifi have adopted primary law. whereas there is no gen. eral provision possible next year.
 Borah's Reference to Barnes.
 The senator further asserted that a convention in 1914 would merely re- suit In "fulmination in the air. and that the progressive element in the toward MT. Barnes of New York, with whom he had a brush at the Hilles dinner last night, Senator Borah con- tinued.
 There is no more astute political leader in the country, representing the views he does, than Mir. Barnes of New York, and unless some change Is made, he will surely be as potent in the con- ventioR of 1918 as he was in 1912"
 Are you afraid to make an issue of that?" interrupted Mir Hadley.
 '1 don't want to do it with my hands tied and my feet hobbIed,' Senator Bo- rah replied. eff I can be permitted to go into the fields and the by-Ways and tell men that they can go to a conyen- tion of their party and assure them they can be seated after they get there, I will take a chance on a fight with the friends of the old system of doing things.
 Party Must Be Progressive.
 trhis may and may not be parting of the ways, but would not be candid if l did not say that the republican party must be progressive, that it must adopt a progressive platform and nom- mate 8 progressive candidate for pres ident in 1916."
 Senator Jones made a concilatory speech and announced that while he l idea was to get together. We cannot | sOmthing to turn up as a. conSeduence of democratic legislation. T believe | that we must show that we are a pro- | gressiye and militant party. The re- | suit in 1916 is not less important than 1 that we have a republican house and l senate in 1914, that we may be able to | block further legislation which will | work further injury to the country"