The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1913-10-26
Looking Toward Reorganization.
Republican National Committee to Meet in Washing
ION. December To-

safeguard in the interest of fairness
and justice, the committee, as part
OF its organization. appoints com
mittee on credentials, to which the
credentials OF all delegates are refer
red, and to which every question In
volying mistake or Injustice on the
part of the national committee, may
be substituted. 1t is the duty OF tie
committee on credentials to make ex-
animation and report its findings to
the convention, which finally passes
upon the right OF every delegate to his
seat
This. in brief, is the usage of the
republican party and of all the grea,
national parties and has been the
usage for years. In recent years, when
there have been contests, the national
committee has been notified and the
contesting parties have appeared be-
fore the committee some twenty days
in advance of the assembling OF the
convention, In order that ample time
might be given to the inquiry and the
ascertainment of all the facts in the
case.
Fair minded leaders of all parties
admit that no plan. yet suggested, as
a substitute, equals in opportunity for
inquiry or fairness of result, the one
now in use and which, until late days,
has met the approval OF all the great
parties.
Senator Cummins recognizes the
fact that some one must pass upon the
eligibility of delegates. SO he proposes
That where primaries are authorized by
law that the certificate OF state officer
should be conclusive evidence of that
eligibility. At the present time such a
method would be scarcely satisfactory
in view of the fact that In more than
forty 10 the states, II the rule was uni
versai, state officers hostile to the
success of the party would be called
upon to pass finally upon the fitness
Of delegates to republican national
convention.
A political party is described as a
voluntary association of individuals;
it has nothing to do with the machin-
cry of government, excepting In sug-
gestive or advisory way; Its conyen-
tons are only public meetings. The
right of the people to assemble peac-
ably is granted by the constitution,
like the right of free speech. The bust
ness OF political party ia to promul-
gate the principles Of government
which are common to all Of its mem
bership and that Is the cohesive faith
which binds the membership OF po-
litical party into unity. It's further
business is to suggest list of per
sons whom it deems fit to fill public
offices. 1t recommends persons to the
electors as worthy of their votes
There can be nothing compulsory in
the action Of political party. The
voters may or may not adopt its rec
concentrations. The action of the con-
vention Is often separated by many
months from the act OF the voters. The
fixing of the district or the state as the
unit of representation simply is for
convenience and to conserve order In
tAo aSSemoIdsS. Ae olaec udS Aotn
ing to do with 1t except when it usurps
authority
But would a board OF officers select
ed in state where only recently, per
haps. there had been bitter contest
for the selection of the delegates be
mora fair and dispassionate than a ma
tional committee OF fifty republicans,
one from every state and territory. Sc
lect'sd four years prior to the contest!