The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1913-05-13
REPUBLICANS END
COUNCILS AND
MAKE OFFER
Would Like to Unite With
Progressives
PLANNED FOR CONVENTION
Their Offer is to Reform Machinery
of Party and Accept Progress
sive Principles.

Chicago, May 12.-That a uniting
of the progressive party with the re-
publican party is not only desired,
but is actually sought was the gist of
sentiment expressed at the close to-
day of a two days conference at
which republican leaders outlined
plans for recognizing the party
Herbert S. Hadley, formerly COVER
nor of Missouri, who with Senators
A. B. Cummins of Iowa. William E.
Borah of Idaho and l.. Y. Sherman OF
Illinois, led the discussion at the con-
ference, said afterward that the de-
sire to have those back in the party
who left it to join the progressive
rarty was manifest" The coalition,
he added, was not to be acted by
any mechanical scheme, such as the
passing of resolutions by any of the
leaders. "but rather by remedying
of the causes in the republican party
which resulted in the separation
The conference, attended by six
United States senators, numerous
"
tives and leaders from various states,
resulted in the issuance of state
ment. The statement expressed the
belief that the republican national
committee should call a republican
national conference at an early date
to affect radical changes in party
affairs and especially to consider the
conduct of future national conven'
tons.
'Is it to be inferred that the re-
| publicans who met here desire to
have advocates of the progressive
party come into the ranks of the re-
publicans?" Mr.. Hadley was asked.
"Manifestly So" he replied, 1.-The
coalition is to be brought about not
by any mechanical means, but by a
frank recognition by the rank and
file of both parties that by remain
ing divided they are defeating all
that they both favor. All we could
accomplish or try to accomplish
here was to start the movement for
bringing about the changes In con
Quoting the affairs of the party
which seem necessary. These chang
es are to correct the evils which
nave been a just cause of complaint
in the past and are necessary in or
der that the will of the majority may
control in future party councils.
The changes we shall seek are
for a new basis of representation,
recognition of the result of direct
primaries and different method of
passing upon the credentials"
After the conference which ad-
journed after being in session for
two days, the following statement
was given out:
"At an informal conference of re-
republicans from IL states held at Chi
cago May II, 1913, it was voted that
lit be submitted to the national re-
publican committee as the opinion of
those present, that a national con-
vention of the party should be held
this year at as early a date as may
be practicable, for the purpose of
considering the expediency Of chang
ing the basis of representation in
future conventions so that the dele
gates may proportionately represeh.
republican voters and not general
population 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 re-
lating 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. and also for the purpose
of making such other changes in the
methods of conducting national con-
ventions and campaigns as shall
come 10 give the utmost possible eff
feet to the people and policies OF
the party.
1t was further the opinion that
such a convention might properly
and usefully take any other action
desirable to reunite the party and TO
give assurance that it stands for con-
structive and progressive activities
in the affairs of government to the
end that the common welfare may
be advanced.
at was the unanimous belief OF
those present that the changes sug-
gested should be made. forthwith and
that the national committee be urged
to take such steps to such an end"