The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-17

REPUBLICANS WILL
WORK IN HARMONY
TOUN|TE FACTIONS
Continued from First Pagc1

suggest how the plan shall be ratified
/ by the Republican voters in all states
Debate during the day practically
was limited to discussion OF the
need OF special national convention.
Senator Borah doomed out as tho domi-
nant figure among TIC committeeman
who opposed IL special convention while
( former Governor IIadlcy, OF Missouri
! ana William Barnes. Jr., Of New York.
led the forces allied in It's support.
Regrets lie Cannot Agree.
! In closing the discussion for oppo-
nents of tho special convention plan.
! senator Borah expressed regret to lind
| himself not in harmony with such of
/ his intimate friends as former Gov
! crnor liadloy. Senator CumInins. OF
Iowa. and others whom he held In high
/ regard.
! II would not be candid with myself"
said tho Senator, IF | did not express
my Judgment in tho situation that
confronts us. The great contest. which
VIII determine whether the Republican
party Is TO resume supremacy or pass
into history Will be settled In 1916.
/ Ali other skirmishcs, no matter how
much they may be emphasized. will
I bo preliminary. We can afford TO be
( cautious and patient In preparing for
that great conflict. If did not believe
that the Republican party was pro-
gressivc. and that % per cent OF the
party members have II heart interest
IN the great problems confronting tho
nation. | would not remain IL member
| OF the party.
! II the Republican party adopts Il
rcacuonary platform in 1916. Il will
become nothing but the voice OF the
lAristoCracy. ] believe il is progress
sivc. and [ want to gather up that pro-
sressivc sentiment and crystallIze it in
1916. If We call convention in 1915,
what position will We be in? There
/ are states with primary laws not
adapted for a national convention OK
cept for tho selection of Il national
| Ticket. Such convention would in
cvitabiy result in tho selection OF
hand picked delegates in two thirds o:
Tho States, and any platform promul-
gated would not he a true expression
/ OF the rank and file. and would not be
| one upon which the party would be
able to go TO the country in tho next
congressional election.
Would IInvc No Good Result
The Senate further asserted that n
convention In 1914 would merely re-
suit in illumination in tho air" and
that the progressive element In tho
party would not join In II. Turning
toward Mr. Barnes. OF New York. Sith
whom no had brush at tho Iliiles din
ncr last night, Senator Borah contin-
ucd:
There is no more astutc political
itducl IN inc country, representing the
views he does, than MIR. Barnes of
New York. and unless some change is
made. he Will just as surely he as
potent In the convention of 1916, as lie
was III 1912"
Senator Jones made n conciliatory
speech and announced that while he
favored a special convention, the main
idea was 10 get together. Senator Cum
minis also favored a special convcn-
ton.
Former Representative James y.
Watson. of Indiana, who held a proxy
from the committeeman from Louis
lana, declared that Il special conven-
ton next year would be colossal po-
litical blunder," lie said that the ma
tional committee had the plenary power
To deal with methods and that politi-
cal policies We're for the national con-
vcntions to determine.
Alvah Martin, OF Virginia declared
that the people of the South believed
that the success OF the Republican
party was necessary to tho prosperity
OF all the people. and that they be-
licvcd IA general convention would be
Il mistake Former Governor Hadlcy
of Missouri, holding a proxy. said the
Republican party needed n new declara-
ton OF principles and policies He
favored n special convention.
Senator Smoot insisted the national
committee should show that IL had the
power and was willing to do what the
people want AT once. He said Repub-
lean opportunity in 1914 and 1916
already was before the party as con-
sequence of the Democratic record III
Congress up To date.
Pr"Gressives Meet at Chicago.
party from every congressional dis
trict in Illinois met here today and