New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-12-16
REUNITING THE PARTY
A Republican States the Lines on Which
He Believes Union Can Be Achieved.

To the Editor OF Tho Tribune
Sir: The recent gathering OF Republi-
cans in New York served a useful purpose
by indicating a desire on the part OF
certain political sinners 10 bring the resi-
mcnt up 10 the flag"
At the Republican gathering there was
much talk about direct primaries and bal
lot reform. but nothing was said about
the failure Of the party 10 restore the bal
lot OF the DISTINGUISHED million voters
made citizens by the Fourteenth and
guaranteed freedom from determinations
by the Fifteenth Amendment TO the fed
eral Constitution. which were put into
that instrument by the founders of the
Republican party. who believed that
moral ideas, civil rights and political
privileges. as well as commercial propo-
sitions. added TO tho safety OF life the
security OF property and the pursuit Of
human happiness After the bitter lessons
of 1912 the party should now retrieve it's
failure to reduce the party representation
in the national conventions from states
where there Is practically no Republican
vote and along with this there should be
n reduction OF the representation in Con-
gress, az provided in the Fourteenth
Amendment. in the ratio OF the disfran-
chised voters in states where disfranchise-
mcnt is based on the defiant violation Of
the guarantee written in the Constitution.
The Republican party enacted the Sher-
man law as an anti-monopoiy measure
and not as trust busting" measure. In
the process of its evolution the party
failed to perfect and clarity that law in
the light OF the needs of the hour.
Tinkering with the tariff by the Demo.
cratic party has not lowered the high
cost of living, and the prospective
! bread line" and soup kitchens" OF 1914
will give the Republican party's policy OF
protection for American labor a new lease
of life. II II can keep the feet OF the
schedule hogs" out OF the trough In
future tariff revisions The protective
principle is essential. but the schedule is
incidental
What. then. are the essential differences
between Progressives and Republicans
Their party platforms in 1912 were not
necessarily on permanent divisional lines.
but the csfTerences were personal between
leaders bent on eXterminating each other.
The one great lesson that should be for
ever remembered by all political parties Is
that taught by the steam roller" tactics
used In the Republican National Conven-
ton OF 1908 TO defeat such men as Gov
ernor Hughes. Vice President Fairbanks
Speaker Cannon, Senator Knox. Senator
Foraker and Senator La Toilette. The
tactics used then were the beginning OF
the present troubles OF the Republican
party
Suppose Governor Hughes had been
nominated by the Chicago convention in
1908 Would the Republican party to-day
be in its present position? Suppose the
rival factions In 1912 had united upon Mr..
Hughes. Senator Cummins, Mr.. Fair
banks. Mr.. Hadley or Mr.. Borah. Would
we be discussing the conditions we are
facing to-day and must meet In 1916?
II the lessons OF lsOs-12 shall lead 10
the abolition OF the tactics practised in
the Republican National conventions of
those years the defeat OF 1912 will not
he without benefit to the country.
ANDREW b. HUMPHREY.
New York. Dec. 10, 1913.