The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1913-12-25
NO NATIONAL
CONVENTION
Lost By Vote of 35 to ID;
Borah Dominant
Figure.

AT the meeting of the republican
national convention held recently in
Washington, it was decided that
the convention had authority to make
reforms in convention rules, and to
readjust the composition of the ma
tional convention. When it came to
the matter of calling a national con
vention. for 1914 it was voted down
IS to IA. Senator Borah of Idaho,
who was dominant figure in the
meeting, opposed the calling of a
convention for the present, while
former Gov. Hadley Of Missouri and
William Barnes of New York, led the
forces arrayed in favor of a conven-
ton. II there was an inclination
toward bitterness at times and II
pictures were drawn of why things
happened to the party in 1912. they
Were not dwelt upon at length and
1t was plain from the beginning of
the meeting that the committeeman
realized that the pressing question
up for their decision was not the
method of changing but the change
itself. In closing the discussion for
the opponents of the special conven-
ton plan, Senator Borah expressed
regret to find himself not in har-
mony with such of his intimate
friends as former Governor Hadley.
Senators Cummins Of Iowa, Jones of
Washington, and others.
81 would not be candid with my
SELF" said the senator, III l did not
express my judgment In the situation
that confronts US. The great con-
test which will decide whether the
republican party ID to resume suprem-
acy or pass into history will be
settled In 1916. All other skirmish-
%, no matter how much they may
be emphasized, will be preliminary
We can afford to be cautious and
patient in preparing for that great
conflict. II did not believe that
the republican party was progress
sive and that 95 per cent Of the
members OF the party have heart
interest In the great problems con-
fronting the nation, would not re-
main member OF the party.
But my observations and investi-
cations convince me that the rank
and file of this party organization
are Just as much alive to the prob
lens of this hour as were the men
~f hn from
1858 to 1884.
'If the republican party adopts
reactionary platform in 1916 1t Will
become nothing but the voice OF the
aristocracy. believe it Is progress
sive and l want to gather up that
progressive sentiment and crystal
lie it in 1916 If we call a conven-
ton In 1914, what position shall We
he In? There are states with pri-
mary laws not adapted for a national
convention except for the selection
of q national ticket. Such a conven-
ton would inevitably result In the
selection of hand-picked delegates In
two-thirds of the states and any plat
form promulgated would not be a
true expression of the rank and file
of the people and would not be one
upon which the party would be able
to go into the country In the next
congressional election. Let us there
fore. here and now, displaying some
what the qualities of real leadership,
adopt a basis OF representation and
say to the people that they shall In
the future select their delegates to
the national convention. BY 1916
every state will have adopted a prl-
mary law. whereas there is no gen
eral provision possible next year"
The senator further asserted that
a convention in 1914 would merely
result in illumination in the air ana
that the progressive element in the
party would not join it. Turning to-
ward Mr.. Barnes of New York, with
whom he had brush at the Hilles
dinner the previous night, Senator
Borah continued:
'There is not a more astute polit-
ical leader in the country, represent
ing the views he does, than Mr.
Barnes of New York and unless some
change is made, he will just as sure
ly be as potent in the convention OF
1916 as he was in 1912"
care you afraid to make an issue
on that?" interrupted Mr.. Hadley
81 don't want to do 1t with my
hands tied and my feet hobbled,"
Senator Borah replied. "If l can be
permitted to go into the fields and
the by-ways and tell men that they
can go to convention of their party
and assure them that they can be
seated after they get there, l will