Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1913-12-26
NATIONAL ToPfcs DISCUSSED
ia WhsHiNcToN LETTER


WASIiNGTDN. ID. o. Doc. g.
The plan o. mold q special national
convention next spring for the pur-
D0ea Vt revising party machinery and
with & giw ~ brlngine back into iho
Republican party those who sirayed
away 10 Tho nun Moose movement last
year. was rejected ~ me Republican
national committee az as meeting in
washington this week. The vote on
me proposal was deciaive, being 50
aaniuai and o. for "a convention
10 taking this action the committee
virtually hcid that the committee IT.
self was clothed with ample power 10
readjust the composition Of the
pagtys national conventions and had
authority 10 make reforus ID c0nven-
ton rules and procedure that have
been demanded by many elements
since the ChlcngO convention in 1912.
and the Democratic victory al the
polls last November
Chief Credit TO Idaho Senators
10 Senator ROrah Of idaho is gen
orally accorded the chief credit for
the position taken by the committee.
Although Senator Cummins. Cover
nor Hsdley and other friends Of the
Idaho Senator had favored the con-
vention plan. Senator Borah deemed
Il neither the most cxpedient nor the
fairest procedure under which to adj
Just the partya differences.
In an interview few days before
the meeting Of the committee. Senator
Borah announced unequvoeably that
the committee had responsibility in
the matter which it ought not TO
evade, or to pass on to a convention
organized under the old objection
able rules. But to the full extent OF
It's powers. which he thought were
ample for the purpose. IL ought To
rectify It's mistakes of the past. with
out waiting for convention TO do
H. The result was the Idaho senator
had his way in practically every par
ticuar. The committee decided that
In the national Republican convention
In the future the state primary cleo
ton laws shall be recognized as con-
trolling in the election OF delegates
thus reversing itself upon it's posi-
ton at Chicago in 1912 when the
question was a particular bone of
contention; adopted a new basis OF
representation for southern states
where the representation heretofore
has been out OF all proportion to the
Republican vote cast which as will
be remembered was another one of
the principal bones of contention at
the Chicago meeting and generally
speaking readjusted the entire party
machinery TO the progressive spirit |
which Senator Borah has from the
first contended Is possessed by the |
rank and file Of the party.
With these reforms In effect. the !
Idaho senator has been of The opinion |
there would bee no need Of a special /
convention IN iait but that the pro
gresslve rank and file would grasp the 1
opportunity givep them and recog- !
nlze the party along progressive lines [
SO as go be IN position To write the /
platform and name the candidate il /
the latter function should be left 10 I
the convention by that time, when the
regular national convention should be
held IN 1916.
Principal Discussion on Ono Point.
The Washington Post said of the
meeting Debate during the day
practically was limited TO a discus
sion Of the need of special national
Senator Bbrah doomed
out as the dominant figure among the
who opposed a special
while former Gov tIaU-
lev, of Missouri. and William Barnes.
Jr. of New York. led the forces allied |
In It's support. II there was an in
'lination toward bitterness at times.
and II pictures were drawn of why
things happened 10 the party in 1912.
they were not dwelt upon at length.
and IL was plain from the begin
ming OF the meeting that the commit
teemen realized that the pressing
question up for their decision was not
the method OF change but the change
itself
I'm closing the discussion for OPP
ponents OF the special convention
plan. Senator Borah expressed regret
10 find himself not In harmony with
such OF its intimate friends as former
Gov. Hadlcy. Senators Cummins, of
Iowa and Jones. OF washington, and |
others whom he held In high regard
6crsh Advises Caution.
Il would not be candid with my
self. said the senator. II l did not
express my Judgment In the situation
that confronts us The great contest
which viii determine whether the Re-
publican party is TO resume suprem-
acy or pass into history win be set
lied In 1915 An other sSirmishes.
no matter how much they may be
viii be preliminary We
can afford TO he cautious and patient
In preparing for that great conflict
M the Republican party adopts a
platform In 1916 IL viii
become nothing but the voice % the
] believe IL Is progress
d q