South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1913-12-17
Asked That Representation BE
35fo of Republican Vote of
Congressional Election at
Preceding Election.
NUMBER OF VOTES WILL
BE CUT FROM 1924 TO 954
New Plan Expected to Cut Out
Good Part of Troublesome
Southern Representation of
Past Conventions.

WASHINGTON. Dec. IA reduc-
tion of 20 delegates for the 1916 re-
publican national convention from the
number in 1912. was recommended
Wednesday in the report to the ma
tional committee by the sub-commit-
tee of nine named TO decide the ques-
tion OF representation. The reduction
is chiefly in the south.
The report OF the subcommittee.
compiled after an ali-night session,
recommended that the basis OF repre-
sentation at future national cOnven-
tiOns shall be IS per cent OF the repub-
lean vote OF the congressional dis
trict at the preceding election. In
other words. that each state which
cast over that percentage OF its vote
for the republican ticket, will be al
lowed two delegates whereas Il shall
be entitled TO but one il the repub-
lican vote falls below 50 per cent.
The election OF 1908 is to be the
standard in 1916, because the cleo
tions of 1912 are held TO be "abnor-
NAL"
The plan recommended by the sub
committee will reduce the total num-
her OF votes in the convention from
1924 10 954.
The seventy votes eliminted will be
lost in the following states: Illinois.
New York. four; Alabama six: Flor
ida. two; Georgia. six; Louisiana.
seven; Mississippi. eight; North caro-
lima. two; oklahoma one; South
Carolina, seven; Tennessee. four;
Texas Ia Virginia, five.
Eliminates UnrulY Element.
1t was at first planned 10 have the
basis of representation twenty-five
per cent OF the vote cast. This. how
eVe~ was found 10 eliminate but 81
votes and the percentage was raised
TO 35 per cent The subcommittee
in presenting the recommendation 20
the national committee drew atten-
ton 10 the fact that this plan will cut
out a good part of the southern rep
reservation which has caused so much
trouble at. recent national conventions.
In addition 10 the delegates provided
for in this manner. each state Is 20 be
allowed four delegates at large, as
formerly. and each territory including
the District of Columbia. Is TO have
two delegates.
With little bitterness and no tangible
evidence that differences which arose
over methods could not be reconciled.
the committee took steps which have
been agitated in the party for 80
years and which have been vital fac
tors in many exciting conventions IN
its latter day history.
Without a dissenting vote the COM
the basis of representation in nationa1
conventions which will greatly affect
southern states. gave full recognition
to the principle OF the primary IN the
election Of delegates 10 such conven-
tions. approved laws, regarding such
elections adopted by several states
which provide that ali delegates be
selected at large and accepted the
principle that delegates properly ac-
credited by state authorities snail De
placed on the temporary convention
roll Informally il had been agreed
that the new basis of representation
should be referred 30 the republicans
IN the various states for ratification.
Differ over Machinery.
The only difference of opinion that
developed on the surface was over
the machinery 20 be used 70 effect
reforms. Of the AZ committeeman
who voted on the one roll call taken.
il favored the calling Of special
convention to bring about these
changes and 35 declared themselves
opposed
Progress is Marked
After this ballot, progress was
marked by a friendly spirit, with an
expressed desire TO harmonic and %
face the common political enemy
with a reGnted and sohdihed party.
The resolution adopted by its own
terms expresses the party's faith IN
urinary election Of delegates and N
the right of a state To choose them At
large. but details OF the method OF re-
ducing southern representation were
left 10 a special subcommittee COM
Dosed OF Chairman Hilles and COM
mftteemen Warren. Michigan. BOrah.
Idaho: SmOot Utah; Fadley. Louis
lara (proxy). Howell, Nebraska;
FsrabroOk. New Hampshire. Barnes.
New York. saunders. Tennessee and
p e10uue1 Arkansas
This plan would provide for four
delegates AT large from each state.
one from each congressional district
and additional delegates from each
congressional district where the re-
publican vote bears a certain ratio 20
the total vote.
With the adoption Of the report ot
this sub-committee the national COM
mittee will adjourn probably until
1916.
Plans Must be Ratified.
In bringing IN a plan for reduced
reDreSentation. the Subcommittee VIII .
suggest how the plan shall be ratified
bv the republican voters in ali the
states. The much talked or refer
endum requiring that the plan must
be approved by republicans In states
which cast two-thirds OF the total
party vote in 1905 was still In favor
at Tuesday nights meeting.
Debate during the day practically
was limited 10 a discussion OF the
need OF a special national convention
Sen Borah losmed cut as the domi-
CONTINUED OK PAGE 14l