Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-05-24

Washington May "a Members Of
the republican national executive COM
mittee assembled here today to take
stock of the party since the November
defeat, look over the field for the future.
and determine whether meeting or
the national committee should be called.
Charles d. Hilles, chairman Of the
national committee, who issued the
call for the executive committee.
reached Washington early and con-
ferred with republican leaders.
x have talked with only three or
four members Of the committee" said
Mr.. HiIles, before the meeting, "and
1 find that some Of them favor calling
a meeting Of the national committee. I
am not sure that majority Of them
are tof that opinion. We must talk
things over before we make any pre-
dictions."
Memorial Presented.
When the committee met 1t had
memorial from the concilliation COM
mit = Of the progressives, headed by
Sena> ,r Cummins. This formed q re-
quest Nthat an early meeting Of the ma
tionaI committee be called. 1t in
cluded statement Of reforms proposed
at the Chicago conference which would
provide for party recognition Of the
primary system for choosing delegates
to the national convention. and
change in the voting strength of states
at the convention, directed at the
southern states.
AS far as contemplated reorganiZa-
tion plans are concerned the only thing
the executive committee can decide IS
whether to call the national committee.
Many assert a convention Is not nee
essary to carry out the reorganization
plans; that the committee can enact
them. The progressives. however, in
sist convention is necessary.
Chairman Hilles said that the ques-
tions presented would be referred to
the national committee. He was un-
decided as to the right Of the national
committee to change the basis OF rep
resentation in national conventions
and decided it was legal matter.
Primary Question Little Discussed.
The question OF choosing delegates by
state primaries was not discussed at
great length. Chairman Hilles and
some others contended that con-
eressional district should be allowed
to choose its own delegates in any way
It sMw at, notwithstanding provisions
for a state primary.
"The party has insisted upon the
rights to select their own delegates and
a reversal Of. that policy would foist
tho unit rule on u.s." said Chairman
Hilles. "This was the point at issue
in the California case In 1912. The
right Of a congressional district to
vote in a republican national conven-
ZION for the candidate of it's choice has
never been denied 1t was affirmed
in the convention Of 1875 and again IN
1880. The latter convention rejected
the unit rule. This is the fundamental
question and mot to be confused with
tha recognition Of delegates in primary
elections"
CUMMING Committees Reasons.
The letter from the conciliation com
mittee, signed by Senators Cummins,
Jones and Crawford and Representa-
tives Cransford and Rogers and Former
Governor : Hadley.. Of Missouri. sets
forth q report OF the progressive repub-
,ics n conference in Chicago and asks
for "a meeting Of the republican ma
t,ona lconmittee in the near future to
act on the suggestion made by great
number Of republicans that there De
held during the present year national
convention"
setting forth the reason for the re-
quest the committee says:
I'VE believe that an overwhelming
majority OF the republican party have
reached the conclusion that the basis
Of representation in our rational con-
yentions is not only unjust but con-
trary to the fundamental principle OF
representative government. Assuming
that the will Of the majority Of an or
sanitation ought to prevail, it must be
a real, not a fictitious majority. An
actual majority will not long submit to
an actual minority. The present sys-
tenn enabled minorities to control to
dictate party nominations and deter
mine pssT y declarations, and. however
praiseworthy may have been the motive
for its original adoption, is no longer
defensible.
B Party Principles seund.
sgTsas.rns.siy.z Ies. Ies. .s.: -es. e:ss .:c:.