The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-05
CAN'T CHANGE II.

fContinued from PeE. 0nAl
time provide; and SO to provide 3D.
that all delegates from any state may
be chosen from the state at large. OF
part from the state at large and par,
from congressional districts. in con-
formity with the laws of the state In
which the election occurs?
In considering subdivision IA" OF
the question, rule II. adopted by the
conventions of 1908 and 1912, Is quoted
as follows:
Rule IL Quoted.
"Such committee shall issue the call
for the meeting Of the national conven-
ton within so days, at least, before the
time fixed for said meeting, and dele
gates to the national convention shall
be chosen in such manner as the ma
tional. committee shall provide"
Upon this point the committee says
it is its opinion that it is at the pres
ent time within the power OF the ma
tional committee to prescribe as did
the call issued by the committee for
the convention of 1912, the manner CT
choosing both delegates at large and
district delegates to the future national
conventions; and that the national
committee may PROVIDE in calls issued
for future conventions, that delegates
at large, and from congressional dis
tricts, may be chosen in conformity
with the laws of the state in which
the election occurs, and may alter the
manner of choosing such delegates as
occasion may require SO as to conform
with such laws as the several states
may enact from time to time"
Subdivision ''S'' of this second ques-
ton is:
Has the national committee author
ity to change the manner and method
of choosing delegates to future nation
al cOnVanffnnS q g nrnVtdQ that all
delegates from any state may be chosen
from the state at large; or part of the
state at large and part from congress
sional districts in conformity with tie
laws of the state in which the election
Occurs?"
Committee Is Barred.
The opinion cites the rules adopted
by past national conventions providing
for the election of delegates from each
congressional district and says no ques-
ton would arise as to whether Or not
the national committee possessed the
power to alter the manner of choosing
delegates to the national conventions SC
as to abolish congressional district rep
resentation were it not for the word
ing of rule IL as adopted by the con-
ventions of 1908 and 1912.
THE provision of rule II, now under
consideration. as adopted by the con-
vention of 1908 Is Official proceedings
page 11D:
"'Such committee Irrational commit
tee) shall issue the call for the meet
ing Of the national convention within
sixty days at least before the time
fixed for said meeting and delegates t.
the national convention shall be chosen
In such manner as the national COM
mittee shall PROVIDE"
The opinion continues:
The facts recited from the history OF
the party show that the position of the
party Is in favor Of representation from
congressional districts. Nevertheless.
the elimination from the rules adopted
by the convention of 1908 and 1912 OF
all reference either to delegates from
congressional districts. or to delegates
At large, and the elimination of the
provisions. found in former rules, pre-.
scribing the manner Of electing dele.
gates, left, according to the terms Of
the rules. the national committee