The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1913-05-15
INSURGENTS URGE
THAT COMMITTEE
CALL CONVENTION
Canvass of Members Indicates
Majority Opposed to Plan
Evolved BY Cummins and
Colleagues.

w u. S., May lo.--oO iCl6
as the present national committee is
il ontrol of the course of the republic.
can party there will be nothing done
willingly to help along the plans for
reorganization favored by Senate
Cummins and other progressive repub-
licans. This has become plain here.
A canvas of the national committee
has been in progress for some days.
It shows that a majority of them are
unwilling to take part in any move
ment which does not recognize the
leadership of the men who made the
Taft campaign. Southern members of
the national committee will fight re-
organization on the Cummins plan to
the last ditch. They hold the balance
of owe in the committee. This stu
alton makes any cooperation with the
national committee on the part of the
men now meeting in Chicago seem al
most out Of the question. When the
executive committee of the national
committee meets here next week the
sentiment of antagonism to the re-
organization of the party by progress
sive republicans is likely to be strongly
marked.
Chicago, May 12.-First steps toward
"reuniting the republican party" We're
taken at a conference Of republican
United States senators and other leaders
of the party held here today. The con-
ference decided to call upon the repub-
lican national committee at it's meet
ing scheduled for May "a at Washing
ton to issue a call for a national con-
vention this year.
After a conference of progressive
leaders here today former Governor
Hadley of Missouri stated that a coli
ton of the republican party and the
out is being sought" Mr.. Hadley ex-
planned that this end was being sought
by those attempting to reform the re-
form the republican party SO that con-
scientious progressives who left the
party last fall could rejoin.
To reorganize the party "along pro-
gressive lines" Senator Albert B. Cum
minis, of Iowa; Senator William e. Bo-
rah, of Idaho. and former Governor
Herbert S. Hadley, together with the
other 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 progress
sive activities in the affairs Of govern
ment."
Does the suggestion to reunite the
party mean that those who joined the
progressive party are to be asked to
com back?" Senator Cummins was
asked.
1T means just as I have said before
that the convention would be a sort of
Lords supper and all those who be-
lleved might partake," replied Senator
Cummins.
Insurgents Air Views.
After the conference was adjourned
after being in session for two days, the
following statements were given out:
AT an informal conference of repub-
leans from IL states held at Chicago.
May -, 1913, It was voted that it be
submitted to the national republican
committee, as the opinion Of those pres
ent, that a national convention Of the
party should be held this year as early
as may be practicable for the purpose
or considering the expediency of chang
ing the basis of representation in fu-
ture conventions SO that the delegates
shall proportionately represent repub-
lican voters and not general popula-
ton to the end that the will of the
Of the party may be more ac-
curately determined, also for the pur-
pose OF changing the rules relating to
delegates and members Of the national
committee so that the primary election
laws of the various states shall be rec
ogn1zed and have full force, and also
for the purpose of making such other
I'M in the methods of conducting
national conventions and campaigns as
snail d to give the utmost pos
sible effect to the principles and noli-
c1es of the party.
Believe Reforms Will Come.
ut was further the opinion that such
a convention might properly and use
fully take any other action desirable
to reunite the party and to give as
surance that it stands for constructive
n progressive activities in the affairs
of government to the end that tho
common welfare may be advanced
ut was the unanimous belief of those
present that the changes suggested
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. Senator
William 5. Kenyon, of Iowa; w. f.
James, state senator of Michigan, ana
James A. Troutman, state senator of
Kansas. had been appointed to draw
up a statement expressing the senti-
ment of the conference. This commit
tee drew up the foregoing and it was
adopted. That concluded the confer
ence. Senator Borah and Mr.. Hadley
both left Immediately, each saying
that he haa to catch a train.
DIN of Contention.
Senator Borah said hi while at
first he had been somewhat skeptical
about the benefits to be derived from
a national convention this year. he
finally concluded in the unanimous be-
lief that such convention should be
held. Mr.. Hadley, who did not par
ticipate in the conference yesterday,
put came In today just as it was end
ing, said he was in entire syn,nathv
with the movement.
Much interest centered about the
significance of including in the state
ment the phrase about "reuniting' the
party: Senator Cummins explained
that it meant just what is sail !" hut
that no lengthy talk had been INDUCED
IN about inviting members of the
progressive party to return to the re-
publican ranks.
Others Who participated in the con
ference We're United States Senators
Gronna, of North Dakota: era WI
Of South Dakota, and Sherman of IL
llnois, and Representatives j. w. Good.
OF Iowa; Gilbert N. Haugen. of Iowa:
r. A. Hayes, of California; 1. G
Of Michigan, and Sydney
a n6arSnp of HHFTT