The Washington times., 1913-04-24
G. O.P. MEETING TO Be
HELD EARLY IN 1914
Will Change Rules to Choose
Delegates on Basis of Party
Strength in States.
By JUDSON c. wELLIvER.

n natlonal Republican convention in
the early months of 1914, is practically
certain.
The convention will probably be held
early In May, in Chicago.
1t will adopt a change in the rules,
SO that delegates to future conventions
may be chosen on the basis of party
strength in the various States, rather
than in proportion to the States repre-
sentation in Congress.
This would limit the South to a very
few delegates, and leave it with about
one-tenth instead of one-third, of the
total strength in a national convention.
In addition, this convention will in
all probability adopt a new national
platform The platform OF 1912 was
made by convention whose work, in
vention of 1914. The new convention
will have ample power to adopt a new
one If ii desires, and, in view Of the
fact that a Congressional campaign
will be about opening. it is likely that
the effort will be made to induce the
adoption of an up-to-the-minute decls-
ration applicable especially to the
conditions of the 1914 fight
May Split.
In this matter of platform. there may
be considerable divergence. By the
lule Inc he" hhS
country will have had nearly a years
experience with the Underwood Sim
mons tariff law. 1t will then be pos
sibie to decide just how seriously the
Republican party ought to lament, to
exactly what 1t should point with
pride" precisely what matters should
be viewed with alarm" and exactly
which of its time-honoIed principles and
The general expectation is that when
this convention meets IL will be deemed
good policy to issue an address 10 the
country, a sort of invitation 10 the pub
lie to receive the revived and reorgan-
lied Republican party back into its con-
fidencs.
Whether it calls itself a platform. an
address, or what not this pronounce
ment of regeneration and of purpose to
be good in future, will amount to a
platform, and be accepted by the coun-
try as such
On Eve of Fight. .
A. the country will be just on the eve
of the Congressional campaign, and as
that campaign will determine, in large
measure. the country's attitude toward
the Democracys first two years OF
service 1t is deemed very necessary that
an expression about the country's situ-
alton as of that date shall be forth
coming.
In the last few weeks a good deal of
progress has been made among various
Republican elements in the direction of
arranging for the new convention SO
far, indeed, has the movement gone that
a Republican leader who has been at
work on the matter for several months
declared uneQuivocally today that the
convention would be held. that it would
be held early in 1914, and that it would
undoubtedly reorganize the basis of
representation.
1t develops that the officers of the
national committee are strongly in favor
Of the convention, and while there has
been no complete, systematic canvass OF
the members of the committee il is
also known that most of them are now
either actively in favor of the conven-
ton or acquiescent in the proposition.
Penrose Favors.
Senator Penrose, for instance, is in
favor of it. So is Senator Crane. Will
liam Barnes. of New York, is going TO
be very particularly left out of counsel,
II is stated. He doesn't think there is
anything to hold a convention for, and
as the opposition is positive he has no
important support in the committee, he
Is not being bothered.
He will be permitted to express his
horror at the imminent disruption of
representative government, but the
steam roller will quietly pass over him.
For IT has been determined. as part
of this pre- ject of furnishing UP and
whitewashing the old party, that II Isl
to be rigged out in the most progressive /
regalia possible, consistent with MAIN |
tanning touch with the traditions of
olden political days. The plan is to bid |
turn Of Progressives to the Republican
fold