The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-05-26
REPUBLICANS GET
OPTIMISTIC OVER
PARTY PROSPECTS
Put Their Hopes in Failure Of
the Democratic Tar
if Law
SAY FACTIONS ARE
GETTING TOGETHER
Reduction Of influence of
South in Councils of the
Party Expected to Be
Beneficial

WASHINGTON, May 25.---A feel
ing of optimism has taken posses
sion Of Republican leaders. who a
few months ago were disposed to
throw up their. hands and concede
that the Democratic party was
destined to have long lease OF
power In congress and the White
House. They have been buoyed up
by the program put through yester-
day by the executive committee of
the Republican national committee.
which assures the assembling OF a
national convention early next year,
and by the belief that the Demo-
cratic tariff law will play hob with
the business of the country.
There is no doubt that among Re-
pub,icans Of both factions. that en-
thusiasm has replaced the feeling OF
hopelessncss that was so conspicuous
for many months following the ma
tional election of last year.
No Disagreement on Tariff.
There is no disagreement between
the proEressives and the regulars on
the subject of the tariff. They are
ALI protectionists, and are convinced
that the Wilson Underwood bill Is
40 bad In principle that II Is bound
to result in the downfall OF the DEM
ocratic party.
Republican leaders frankly declare
their hopes OF success in 1914 and
1915 are based in large part on the
belief that the Democratic tartn law
will prove an utter failure. They add
that II the law should accelerate bus
mess. instead OF depressing II. the
Republicans will have to wait for
return to power.
Southern Leaders Hopeful.
Leaders from the South are particu-
larry In a hopeful frame OF mind.
They assert that the commercial
South is distrustful OF the Demo-
cratic administration. and that It
fears the effects OF the pending tarin
bill.
BY reducing the influence OF the
South In the councils OF the party,
the leaders will effect reform that
they believe In Just and at the same
time placate an element that has
been making trouble for years.
Florida Committeeman Favors II.
JACKSONVILLE FLA. May 25.--
Henry s. Chuhh. Republican nation
al committeeman for Florida. at
Gainesville, In answer to a long dis
lance telephone inquiry as to his po-
sition on the national committees
plan to reduce the representation OF
the South in national conventions.
said.
II believe that the call from the
North and West for reduction Of rep
resentanon has been so general. and
SO earnest that reduction must De
granted. The best plan, and the one
\ shall insist on. and urge with all
my power. is that. each State snail
send four delegates at large. and one
fa NJ
tered party vote. and the Republican
party Is stronger In Florida today
than ever"
No Republicans In Florida.
H. L. Anderson, Progressive ma
ttonai committeeman, organizer and
recognized head of the Progressive
party. said;
I'm justice to real Republicans. the
Southern States should have one dele
gate only, There are no progressive
Republicans In Florida, There are
many former Democrats who believe
In local protection who voted progress
sive. and when Underwood finishes his
job there will be more.
Senator Cummins' reconciliation
committee, and the plans to reorganize
the Republican party are looked upon
here a 4 joke. South of the Ohio,
the Republican party IL forever dead.
There u nothing left to reorganize.
It's very name 10 odious. In the North
is was emasculated last year.
Moose Stand Pat.
All the elements of honesty and pro-
gress quit the ranks and raised \ new
standard, and In Florida we shall re-
fuse 10 lower H.. To q man We OPP
pose amalgAmation.
senator Cummins failed OF leader
ship when he sat mute In the june
convention, and acquiesced In the
frauds perpetrated by the old guard
Hillss = . derelict. The whole a1air
lacks moral purpose. 1t 10 reforming
Of this mercenaries after 4 disaster.
From this instance II looks like case
of . blind doctar prescribing q mus
tard plaster for = corpse"
Should Cut Down.
E.P. ExtelI. OF Jacksonville. lead
ing active old line Republican, and
probably the best known attorney IN
the State, said
1T u too easy TO get crowd OF So
called delegates to the national con-
vention. Past conventions have shown
they are too cumbersome, and be-
lieve the party viii gain strength and
effectiveness by cutting down Its repre-
gentation to q bare working limit.
based on. some plan that will protect
the rights Of the entire State cleo
torate,"
Louisiana Favors II
NEW ORLEANS. La, May 26.-Re-
bublicans OF New Orleans, who ex-
pressed themselves today, favored
rather than objected to the proposed
plan Of the Republican national COM
mitteo to reduce the representation
from the South In the national conyen-
lions OF the party.
Armand Roman. an attorney promi-
nent in Republican ranks, II amOnG
those who favor the plan of reduction.
In speaking OF the matter, he said:
AT present the Southern delegates
cast Z vote In the conventions that d
'Uut 70 their strength.
Rene r. yClerc. AppIGf1er " cNeeena
said freoly that he believed good would
oa1ne lrom Tho proposed reduction