Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1913-05-20
TO REFORM PARTY
REPUBLICAN SENATORS IN SEES
SION ISSUE PROCLAMATION
ASKING FOR CONVENTION.
WOULD CHANGE The RULES
Cutting Down Basis Of Representation
From Southern States, and Direct
Election of Delegates to National
Eocy Are Demanded.

Chicago, May 13.-Fifty Republic
e.ns from eleven states have made a
demand for a Republican national
convention to be held some time this
year.
A proclamation to this effect was
| the net result of the three DAVIS con-
ference held in the Congress hotel.
The plan of the senators, headed by
Albert j. Cummins of Iowa, is to
change the rules of the Republican or
ganization machinery in such manner
as to answer the charges of stolen
convention'-the cry that went up in
the Chicago national Republican meet.
ing of year ago.
The changes desired by the sena-
tors are these:
Cutting down the basis of repre-
sentation from the southern states to
! representation of the Republican vote
and not on general population.
Delegate contests to be settled by
the states and not arbitrarily by the
national committee.
Direct elections of delegates to ma
tional conventions giving indorse-
ment to primary elections in a ma
tional sense.
The proclamation given out after
the conference adjourned Monday fol-
lows:
AT an informal conference of Re
publicans from eleven states, held in
Chicago May IL, 1913, it was voted
that it would be submitted to the ma
tional Republican commit &c as tho
opinion of those present that a ma
| tional convention of the party should
be held this year at as early date as
may be practicable. The purpose is to
consider the expediency of changing
the basis of representation in future
conventions so that delegates shall
proportionately represent Republican
voters and not general population.
This is 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
relating 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.
Also for the purpose of making
such other changes in the methods OF
conducting national conventions and
campaigns as shall conduce TO giving
the utmost possible effect to the prin-
ciples and policies of the party.
1T was further the opinion that
such convention might properly and
usefully take any other action desir-
able to reuaite the party and to give
assurances that it stands for con-
structive and progressive activities in
the affairs of government to the end
that the common welfare may be adj
vanced.
1T was the unanimous belief of
those present that the changes sug-
gested should be made forthwith and
that the national committee be strong
ly urged to take steps to such an
end"
Lawrence Y. Sherman, senator
from Illinois, who presided over the
conference, was authorized to name a
committee of three to present the
proclamation to the executive com
mittee of the party national organiza-
ton in Washington on May "a The
official statement issued was prepared
by committee composed of Robert
Luce, former lieutenant governor Of
Massachusetts,; Senator William +.
Borah of Idaho. Senator w. S. Ken
yon of Iowa, w. F. James, state SEN
ator of Michigan; ]. A. Troutman,
state senator of Kansas
Senator Borah protected, but was
voted down by his associates.
Senator Cummins and Herbert 8.
Hadley, former governor of Missouri,
answered the objection of national
committeeman to the convention idea.
They do not believe the committee
has the power arbitrarily to change
the rules of the party.