The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-05-24
National Republican Commit
tee VIII Meet Soon.
Determine Change in Basis OF
Representation.
RESTORE TO ORIGINAL POWER
Effort to Bring Members OF
Party to Harmony.
Principles Need Little Tinker
ing, Is Idea.

washington, May Zt-<AAN0A SN'O-
hours discussion the executive COM
mittee of the Republican national COM
nnittee today tentatively agreed to call
a meeting of the national committee
so davs after the adjournment of the
extra session of congress to determine
whether a national convention shall be
called to consider changes in basis OF
representation. .4
rho eession of the executive commit
zee was devoted almost entirely TO d
discussion to the need for nauohds
convention. Committeeman warren Vi
Michigan, made the motion TO can d
meeting and practically every mellloeh
io;ned in the debate that tolloWeu'
1,here were no expressions OF olsaP-
provaI the only questions were 'lio00
of detail z.,oo,.+os
on the question of choosing delegates
by state primaries, Chairman l1Iileo 1LIile,
ond others contended that consres-
sionaI district should be allowed TO
choose its own delegates in any way 1t
saw fit notwithstanding provisions loi
a state primary , ,,,i+
zee signed by Cummins, Jones anu
Crawford. and Representatives CraI1-
ton and Rogers, and joined IN py 70, Isop
,asentative Anderson ana FORMER ~
ernor Hadley of Missouri set IOr II II q
,anort of the Progressive-Repunll unllcdIi
confererce in Chicago and asks Tor d
meeting of the Republican nauoldt
committee in the near future 10 a.
11pon the suggestion made oy sreds
MANY Republicans that there be helu
during the present year d fNePu0A
national convention.
Setting forth the reasons for this re-
quest the col mittee says:
owe believe that an overwhelming
ma iority of the party have reached the
conclusion that the basis of represen-
NOT only unjust but contrary to the
Fundamental principal of representa-
tive government. Assuming that the
win Of the majority in any organiza-
ton ought to prevail, 1t must De d rear
not a fictitious majority.
THE present system enables amman
ity of Republicans to control nat1or'1I
conventions, dictate party NOMINATIONS
and determine party declarations ana
however praiseworthy may have been
the motive for its original adoption At
Is no longer defensible.
I'VE earnestly desire the restoration
of the Republican party to tuil
strength and power. Its principles are
sound, wise and the body OF the party
will apply those principles to the con-
ditions of modern times in an en-
1ightened. unselfish way if they have a
fair opportunity to do So To give
them this fair opportunity. is the sole
object of our request. So long as the
of the country have from eight u
fifty times greater representation In
national conventions. than the voting
Republicans in other sections OF the
country, it cannot be said that the act
of the convention is the act OF the ma
1ority and discomfort followed by re-
volt are the natural results.
'HThe existing rule promulgated by a
convention held more than 80 years ago
reIating to the manner of selection of
icin nf HI
states have passed primary laws and
others will pass them, that are not
harmony with the rule and some proVls-
ion must be made that Will remove the
conflict. We content ourselves by stat
ing what seems to be an obvious con-
clusion:
s"That we must either accept these
urinary laws or we shall have no Re
publican following in the states which
have enacted Them.
.eNe believe that it is more logical
that Republican national committeeman
should assume office prior, rather than
subsequent to future regular Repub1-
can national conventions We believe
that some method should be devised
and put into effect before the next
regular Republican national conven-
ton where by the unhappy contests
which have marked the seating of del
egates in past Republican conventions
should be reduced to a minimum and
settled without neat anu pdrliStuSIl4p
which have so often marked them
I'VE have pointed out these matters in
order to show how essential it is that
there shall be a readjustment prior to
the call for the convention of 1916, indeed
prior to the campaign of 1914
The country ought to know before
there is another alignment that these
changes have been made.
We cannot hope that Republicans will
agree on every question, but we can hope '
that they will agree on the vital doctrines
of government and the will of a majority !
of the primary voters fairly expressed and
faithfully executed will establish such
policies and install such leadership as will
command the confidence and enlist the |
support of that great army which has so
long marched under the Republican ban
ner.
N !