Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1913-11-18
SPEAKING OF
MINORITY rule
Standpat Republicans Declare
States and Nation Are
Under Minority Rule
PEOPLE SEEM PLEASED
Removal Of Old Guard From
Pie Counter Throws Con-
sternation Into Ranks

The old line Republican newspapers
are finding in the results of the re-
cent state elections a further argu-
ment for a union of Republicans and
Progressives, says the Tacoma Tri-
bune. They quote the election re.
turns in Massachusetts and New Jer-
sey as proof that because of this di.
vision in the Republican ranks, the
people are being ruled by a minority.
These partisans who are so anxious
for merger of the two parties cite
the fact that the Republican and Pro-
gressives combined cast a majority
of $4,000 votes in Massachusetts on
November 4 and a majority of $4,000
in New Jersey. although the Demo-
Gratis won all the Offices in both
states because Of the division in the
ranks Of the Republicans and Pro-
gressives. The Herald urges the fac.
tions to get together, in order to end
this rule by minority"
Chairman w. A. Rupp Of the Re-
publican Central committee in Wash.
ington has been urging a union of the
Republicans and Prograssives because
their operation on opposing lines as
sures an continuance Of Democrats In
office. The Republican leaders in
Congress are Offering the same kind
OF argument, in their effort to secure
q union Of the Progressives and Re-
pablicans. some of them even going
70 the extent of urging that Colonel
Roosevelt be made the nominee OF
the Progressive-Repub party In
1916. with Hadley Of Missouri as can.
didate for Vice President and the prac.
teal control Of the organization turn.
ed over to the radical wing OF the
reunited party.
The alarm over the dangers of min.
ority rule" Is of recent birth in the
Republican ranks. They forced min.
ority rule at Aberdeen last year an in
the convention at Chicago. The Pro
gressives carried the fight into the
campaign and reduced the Republi-
cans to third in rank in political or
ganizations. But the Republicans
are showing signs of sincere repent
ance, or at least signs of deep grief
over the loss of offices and patronage
and prestige. The proposition for
union of the Republicans and Pro-
gressives looks very much like ma
ior sureical operation upon the old
line Republican organization to cure
Chicago convention last year and cul-
befell in November. There is some
hope, however, as it sets out with due
humility. No longer is it the ar
rogant majority organization of past
years. 1t has passed through the
Christening fires, but whether it has
been cleansed remains to be seen.
Perhaps it will occur to the con.
trolling spirits that the people are the
real source of power political as other
wise, and that the Republicans of
the several states will insist upon the
enjoyment of rights in the choice of
their representatives which even an
autocratic national committee will be
sure to respect. A year ago the ma
tional committee controlled the party
destines; if the rules and methods are
not changed at the coming conferences
and conventions, so that the commit
tee becomes the servant of the voters
rather than the master. the down
ward course of the party will continue
but it's movement will be accelerated.
The plea of the Republican leaders
for union with the Prigressves is
based on desire to win. The people
will not be deeply impressed with the
arguments until they are convinced
that the old organization, or a rejuv-
enated successor to it, deserves to
win.