The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-10-26
Especial to The Gate city

:
SR WASHINGTON, d. c., Oct. 25,-The
attendance OF every member of the Re.
publican National committee upon the
sessions OF the organization at the spe-
sScial and extraordinary meeting which
4 has been called to be held December
l6 In Washington, seems assured and
this prospective full attendance of the
good indication of the general interest
that members of the party In every
state of the union are taking in this
coming meeting.
The questions which will be discuss
ed on this important occasion, the pro-
posals which will be considered, fur
nish topic of constant and absortSaEg
interest to republicans in congress,
many of whom expect to appear be-
fore the committee and submit their
individual views of what would be best
for the party welfare. Among these
is Representative Towner of Iowa, who
desires to emphasize two points: First,
that of retaining the congressional dis
trict as unit of representation, and,
second, that of placing premium
upon political activity in the district.
Thirty-two senators and an entire
new house OF representatives consist
ing OF 435 members, will be elected
next year and some Of those who were
elected as republicans and who are
candidates for reelection feels that
their fate depends upon the action
which the national committee will take
at this December meeting. OF this
group Senator Cummins is the most
conspicuous, although Senator Craw-
ford of South Dakota, and Senator
Bristow of Kansas, are not far be-
hind, because each Of these. also. re.
pudiated the action of the last re-
publican national convention and sup
ported the candidate of another party.
This is the reason why leading mem
beers of the republican party are not
receiving kindly the suggestions for
"reorganizing" the party which Sena-
tor Cummins is making.
We shall insist" is a-rhrase fire.
uuently used by Senator Cummins In
speaking of what the national COM
mittee must do, il, according to his
way of thinking. the republican party
Is to be "reorganized !" There are
many fighting republicans In congress
who hold to the view that the party
needs no "reorganizing." They reason
like this:
THE party held its convention in
Chicago last June. 1t adopted plat
form and nominated it's candidates.
It elected a national committee to
serve as a board of directors of its
affairs until December, 1916, when. &C
cording to usage, its successor com
mittee will hold Its first meeting, IN
Washington. The platform, the can
didates and the committee were ac-
ceptable to and accepted by the re-
publican party. There were persons
who did not concur in the action
of the Chicago convention. They
bolted that convention. They rehelled
against its action. They declared
their rebellion with great vehemence
and noise. They carried their rebel
lion SO far as to secede and organize
another party and hold another and
hostile convention. They adopted Ger
tain principles which were abhorent
to and had been rejected by the re-
publican party. They supported in a
bitter campaign, the candidates of this
new party. They denounced and vii
lifted the republican candidates. They
declared their organization to be per-
manent and boastfully said it would
destroy the republican party and reach
control of national affairs upon Its
ruin. This new party separated It
self as completely from the republican
party as the republican was and is
separated from the democratic party y
A republican national convention
usually has about 1900 delegates and
as many alternates and frequently
there are a number of contested seats
That disorder may be prevented, it Is
essential in the earlier sessions of the
convention that some authority must
determine who are entitled to seats
This duty heretofore has been imposed
upon the national committee, consist
ing of one person from every state
and territory having representation
This person is selected by the conveR
ton of the state he represents, usual
ly four years before the time he is
called upon to aid In making up the
roll of membership of national con
vention. He serves for four years
and his term of office does not begin
until the convention following his ap
pointment adjourns. 1t is difficult te
conceive of tribunal that should be
farther removed from the temptation.
or factionalism surrounding the hou
when he is called upon to assist IL
making UP the roll. AS an additions