The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-02-22
MOOSE Will NOT
Join G. 0.P. SCHEME
Cold Reception for Convention
Proposal Predicted by
Dixon.
WILL LEAVE SOUTH ALONE
Senator Says Progrcssivcs DO
Not Favor Reduction of
Representation.

Washington. February Elf a Re-
publican National Convention is held
next winter to reorganize the party
and to reduce the representation OF
the Southern States, this convention
VII! be held without the sympathy or
support of the leaders Of the Progress
sive party.
This is the substance of a statement
made by Senator Dixon. of Montana,
chairman of the Progressive National
committee and leader In Congress of
the third party forces He predicts.
too the proposed convention will fail
to remako the Republican organiza ton
and will end by leaving the party Just
where II stands.
NO move that the Republican party
can now make" said Senator Dixon.
will restore 1t to the confidence of
the American people, and no 'reorgan-
izatfon, as proposed, will include the
followers gained by the Progressive
party in the last campaign.
The Republican party has lost It's
opportunity TO rchaUilitate itself.
That came In Chicago last June, but
II was ruthlessly thrown away. a
national convention now would he
equivalent TO locking tho barn door
after the horse has been stolen
This statement seemed to end any
doubt that may have existed as to a
ret-toGether convention under the
auspices OF the old party leaders.
Make Broad Hint.
1t liz true when Senator's Root, OF
New York, and Crane of Massachu-
sets. proposed a great convention of
Republicans in the fall, they did not
openly invite the Progressives TO re-
turn 10 the fold. They did, however.
make II clear they might be received
IT they were willing once more TO
embrace tho old order and unite
against the common enemy.
90 ra paSfin ~.
the first OF the kind. Weeks ago
Senator'S Cummins and Kenyon, and
Governor liadley. of Missouri, got
their heads together out in Iowa and
advanced the theory that national
convention or national conference
should he held and plans perfected TO
put tho old party on It's feet and re-
store its influence.
This proposition languished for :,
time. the Republicans generally seem
ing too stunned over the November
disaster to think clearly upon 1t. A
few weeks later. however. the idea
seemed to take nrmcr hold. One
after another OF tho congressional
leaders let II he known that they
were eager to take hold OF any move
ment that promised to lift the party
out of its dcspondcncy.
Most Of the later suggestions. how =
ever contemplated a harmony confer
cnce, 1T which both wings OF the OLE
organization might unite and bodily
face the triumphant Democrats. Only
a few party Spokesman were willing
70 advocate a straiGhtout Republicans
meeting which contemplated not the
support of the ProErcssivcs.
Mny Issuc Chill.
But Senators Root and Crane have
proclaimed their faith in such an cx-
pedicnt. and are prepared to urge call
for "A convention at the meeting of the
Republican National Committee in this
city early in spring. These leaders will
expect this convention to do two
things: First. to cut down Southern
representation; second. to authorize in
dividual States to elect delegates To
nominating conventions in their own
way.
The big fight Of the Roosevelt people
At the Chicago convention was against
the proportion OF Southern delegates In
that body, n proportion in no wise com
mensurate with the votes they repre-
scented. and against an arbitrary rule
that all delegates must be elected from
every state III the same way.
Whatever the proposed convention
may he called together TO do. there rs
no likelihood that 1t will win back the
Progrcssives. This is the burden CT
Senator DiXon's remarks.