The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-16
Two Plans Proposed for Reor-
ganization Republican Party.
One Is for . Special National
Convention.
LEAVE n 70 STATES
That Is the Proposition Sub
mitted by Ono Faction.
Bull Moose Leader Is Willing
to Accept Either.


to Accept Either.
posals for ..eorganixation OF the Re-
publican party and to find basis ON
which discorcant elements can unite
confronted the Republican national
committee today. Foremost was a
vention to readjust the system Of
was that no convention be called but
that the national committee fix q plan
Of reapportionment for ratification by
Republican state conventions.
resolution for a special conven-
ton was prepared by special COM
mittee consisting Of Warren of Michi-
Hadley Of Missouri. who also holds a
proxy from Louisiana; Smoot Of Utah.
and Howell ct Nebraska They went
into session early today to-. report
later to the entire committee.
Hadley, member of the special
committee appointed last year. by the
Chicago conference OF progressive Re-
publicans to make overtures for party
reorganization, was not averse to the
compromise plan. He favored ma
hoped for submission of the party
problems to referendum OF the
states.
National Committee Meets.
Before the special committee was
ready to report the National committee
began its session and was addressed by
Mr.. Warren who declared there had
party on questions of political or eco
nomic policy, but because of differ
ences Of opinion as to the methods em-
ployed in expressing party sentiment
The problem he said. 'is to prevent
the continued division Of the members
of the party. Let us administer our own
corrective; let US not permit the DEM
Ocrat party to use a position gained
solely by division in our ranks to de-
stroy the good our party has done the
nation
A plan for a basis of representation
offered by Robert n. Marsh of the
New York Young Republican club,
proposes for each sta&e four delegates
at large, one delegate ffom each con-
gressional district where the Republi-
can vote Is mere than twenty and not
more than forty percent Of the total
vote; two delegates from each con-
gressional district where the Republic
can vote Is more than forty per cent
at large one delegate for each such
congressman.
The percentages would be based on
the election of 1908 and the territories
would each have two delegates. The
plan also proposes the national COM
roll of each national convention but
should be bound by a certificate from
the secretary of state of any state, pro-
vided that the national convention
should be the final judge Of the elec-
tions and qualifications of it's members.
nj YHrOu{6o foo
instead of 1,078.
McHarg Speaks.
Ormsby McHarg, who represented
the Roosevelt forces in the contests
preceding the Chicago convention last
year, addressed the committee in oppo-
sition to q special committee. IF the
committee has power to call a con-
vention it has power to change rep
resentation. II this committee has
decided that abuses should be correct
ed, it should manfully 30 announce.
Such a course will restore to a very
large extent the confidence of the peo-
pie who must become the adherents OF
the Republican party II 1t is to be
successful at the next national cleo
ton. The old adage "A wrong confess
ed is half redressed' will have whole
some and practical application at this
critical juncture in our party affairs. !"
Speaking of the Chicago contests Nc
Harg said:
IT knew that Roosevelt was defraud-
ed, and a majority of the members of
that committee knew he was defraud-
ed and remained silent frequently
haunted with the statement that pro-
ceedings were instituted solely for the
purpose Of confusing and befogging the
committee and what I then protested
against. is precisely that which you
now admit"
Informal discussion among commit
teemen developed somewhat general
opinion in favor Of the proposal for the
committee to change the basis of rep
resentation and refer it to state con-
ventions which meet next year.
Resolutions Are Submitted.
The two resolutions finally were pre-
sented. The first specified that spec
ial convention should be called to take
action on changing the present basis
Of representation and for the transac-
ton Of all business that may properly
come before such convention. The
second pledged the committee to issue
a call for the convention Of 1916 to
nominate candidates "in accordance
with such basis of representation al
shall be now determined upon by this
committee"
Both resolutions provided for recog-
milton Of the primary laws of various
states, and agreed that certificates OF
election from proper state authorities
| should be sufncient ground for placing
the name Of a delegate on the tenn
porary -oll Of the convention The Sec
| ond resolution also recognises the
methods adopted In California and
other states where all delegates ar
elected at large and only declares thai
the total number named in the cal
| must be chosen by any state which
has such q law.
! Resolutions were adopted to admit
Senator Cummins and Representative
Woods Of Iowa, OF the Republican con.
gressional committee to the conference
| Chairman Warren OF the law com
nnittee then moved tho adoption o4 tn