The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1913-05-13

o'h-
Ing the Republican Party Along Pro-
sressive Lines.
Chicago, May 13.-First steps toward
~"reuniting the Republican party" were
taken at a conference of Republican
United States senators and other lead.
ers of the party here. The conference
decided to call upon the Republican
national committee at its meeting
scheduled for May "a at Washington
to issue a call for a national conven-
ton this year.
To reorganize the party along pro-
gressive lines" Senator Albert b. Cum
minis Of Iowa, Senator William K. Bo-
rah of Idaho, former Governor Her.
bert S. Hadley, together with the 9TH
er leaders at the conference. agreed
that the proposed convention shall
change the basis of representation in
future conventions and make other
radical changes so that the party shall
stand for constructive and z
sive activities in the affairs OF gov.
eminent"
Does the suggestion to reuT &c the
party mean that those who Joined the
Progressive party are to be ASKED to
come back?" Senator Cummins was
asked.
1T means just as / have said before
that the convention would be a sort
of Lords supper. and all those who
believe might ~partake." Senator Cum
minis replied.
Advises Meeting This Year.
After the conference, which adj
journed after being in session for two
days. the following statement was Civ.
en- out:
AT an informal conference OF Re
publicans from eleven states ID was
voted that IL be submitted to the ma.
tional Republican committee as the
opinion of those present that a nation
al convention OF the party should be
held this year at as early a date as
may be practicable for the purpose Of
considering the expediency of chang
ing the basis of representation in flu
ture conventions so that the delegates
shall prop~ortionately represent Repub-
lican voters and not general popula-
ton, to the end that the will Of the
members of the party may be more
accurately determined; also for the
purpose of changing the rules relat-
ing to delegates and members OF the
national committee so that the primary
election laws Of the various states
shall be recognized and have full
force; and also for the purpose of
making such other changes in the
methods OF conducting national con.
ventions and campaigns as shall con
duce to giving the utmost possible eff
feet to the principles and policies of
the party.
Might Take Other Action.
1T was further the opinion that
such a convention might properly and
usefully take any other action desir-
able to reunite the party and to give
assurance that IL stands for con
%structive and progressive activities in
the affairs of government to the end
that the common welfare may be ad-
vanced.
1T was the unanimous belief Of
those present that the changes sug-
gested should be made forthwith and
that the national committee be urged
to take such steps to such an end"
A committee composed OF Robert
Luce. former lieutenant governor of
Massachusetts,. Senator Borah. Sena.
tor William s. Kenyon OF Iowa. w. f.
James, state senator OF Michigan, and
James A. Trouman. state senator of
Kansas, had been appointed to draw
up a statement expressing the senti.
ment of the conference. This com.
mittee drew up the foregoing and IL
was adopted. That concluded the con.
ference.
Senator Borah said that while at
first he had been somewhat skeptical
about the benefits to be derived from
a national convention this year, he
finally concluded to join In the unani-
nous belief that such a convention
should be held.