The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-05

| the call the manner or choosing deie-
gates for a national convention.
The Only Way Out
1.-THE convention undoubtedly be-
lieved, in view Of the historic position
| OF the party on the question of con-
gressional district representation, that
the national committee would not issue
a call for a national convention Wnlcn
did not provide for the election OF dele,
gates from congressional districts IN all
state having no law provlolng ior .ne
election Of all delegates from the state
at large; but the convention evidently
provided, by the terms Of rule IL as
adopted, method OF avoiding connlcts
between the call issued by the national
committee and the laws of the several
states whether already enacted OF
thereafter enacted.
/ Under the terms of the rule adopteo
by the 1908 and 1912 conventions, the
national committee can, the OPINION
saws. avoid conflict between the law OF
a state and the rule of the party by
nroviding in its call that delegates may
be elected in conformity with the law
Of the state in which the election oc-
ours.
therefore, it is the opinion of the
committee, in deciding the second
question, that the national commit,
tee has authority under the wording
st rule IL, as adopted by the con-
MENTIONS of 1908 and 1912, to pre-
scribe in it's call the method OF
choosing delegates to future natlonal
conventions, including the authority
to provide therein that all delegates
from any state may be chosen from
the state at large, or part from the
state at large and part from congress
sional districts, in accordance with
the laws of the state In which the
election occurs"
Can Cali a Special Convention.
.iVl nnn03dQrAd.
HAS the national committee author
ity to call a special national conven-
ton of the party?" the opinion says
the national committee is the only
machinery provided by the various ma
tfonaI conventions to issue its call and
that the rules do not refer to a spe-
cial convention, nor to a convention
for nominating candidates for presi-
dent and vice president. The opinion
declares:
1.-THE method provided can proper
ly be invoked for the purpose Of
calling a special convention, and it is
the opinion of your committee that
the national committee has authority
to call a special national convention"
The fourth question considered is:
IF the national committee should
decide to call a special convention,
what would be a legal form for the
call to be issued by the national COM
mittee?" On this the opinion reads:
''In such case the national commit
| tee could direct the chairman and Sec
rotary of the committee to issue a
CALI within sixty days at least before
! the time fixed, for a national con-
vention of delegated representatives
| of the party; such call to state:
Must Follow State Laws.
81. The time. place and purpose Of
such convention.
convention II
consist of four MISUNDERSTANDING from
each state; two delegates-at-largef for
each representative-at-lar in con-
gress from each state; two delegates
from each congressional district; six
J delegates each from Hawaii and
Alaska; two delegates each from the
District of Columbia, Porto Rico and
the Philippine islands; that for each
delegate chosen an alternate delegate
shall be chosen in the same manner
and at the same time to act in the
absence of the delegate. That dele
gates-at-large, and congressional dis
trict delegates, shall be chosen in
each state in such manner as the Re-
publican state committee of the state
in which the election occurs shall dt-
rect; provided. however. that il in any
state, which has provided by law for
the election of all delegates to a ma
tional convention from the state at
large. all delegates shall be elected in
accordance with such law, or shall be
chosen from the state at large, the ma
tional committee will place the names
of such delegates on the temporary
roll OF the convention.
20. method for the election of
delegates from the District of Column
bia. the territories and the territorial
possessions.
"A. The time within which all
delegates shall be chosen and creden-
tials forwarded to the secretary of the
national committee.
5. That all notices of contests shall
be submitted In writing, accompanied
by printed statement setting forth
the ground of contest, f1led within q
time stated with the secretary of the
national committee"
Congress May Act.
Washington, Dec. 1.-The issue of
direct presidential primaries, brought
into public discussion by President
! Wilson's message promises to be an
important factor in deliberations OF the
1 Republican national committee here
/ December 16 MANY believe congress
may provide primaries that win do