Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1913-02-27


southern delegates were by the Roosevelt administration
in 1905 Mr. Taft upon the people candidate for
of those of Vermont anxious for opportunity to vote
for Governor Hughes of New York.
The same system that Roosevelt used in 1908 nominate
Taft used in by Taft in 1912 to his nomna-
ton and the system better and in the
the other, matter which as
the criterion
host objected to the system in 1908 and
of them who found fault with in 1908 when
against Hughes by Roosevelt regarded something like poe
tic Justice when the same system worked against its adaptr
in 1912.
Now that the people of the whole country have become con-
vnced that the system Of representation question
democratic representatives there difficulty
in substituting for something MODERN and sugges
ton Of the republican leaders that be held for the
purpose OF making change in the system ought to meet with
general approval
In order that may thoroughly understand the whole sit
uaton be well to glance at the development pres
t method of representation in republican national conventions
nasmuch the basis of representation in the national
basis for the representation of the States i'll Congress it follows
that the evils Of representation for the DISTINGUISHED
vote from the southern States in Congress should also be felt
in the national conventions of party using that basis but
having small vote in the states in question
I'm 1862 there 1196112 slaves according the figures
used in discussion of the project to have the federal
buy the slaves and them free and masmuch representa-
on in Congress under the old constitution of 1877 based
upon white population and thcefif of the slave population
the misrepresentation of the eouhen States in connection with
the choice of president has been Of long standing.
masmuch the republican national platform adopted in
Philadelphia June L. 1856 proclaimed both the right and
relics of babasm poygamy and slavery to be expected
that from that the southern States would be practically
history of the country the slave States in the election Of that
threw unanimous electoral vote Of 100 for the per-
and Pennsylvania its electoral the Dmocra
tic party for the last time while Fremont received the solid vote
of New England
The which led to the ultimate adoption of the prn
cpe that congressional district should be deprived of
rcsentaon in the republican national convention learned
in connection with the campaign of 1850 The prevalence Of
the general ticket system in the different resulted in
consolidated northern for Lincoln
be dpored sectional and dangerous whereas representation
by congressional districts would have broken up the sectional
character of the result at that time
The first trouble growing out of the accordance of southern
delegates in national convention experienced in the
publican national convention held in Baltimore June l. 1864
The action Of the convention in admitting the delegates from
Tennessee with full rights determined the choice of Andrew
Johnson the candidate for vcepcsdn VicePrcsidmt Ham
nominated the Johnson impeachment proceedings would not
have place in national history, and the country would
power of the executive the hand
and to hinder the enforcement of the views Of Congress the
other.
The fourteenth amendment which declared to be the
law of the land in 1868 further increased the political
thereby became apporoned among the several States accord
ing to the who'll" number of persons in each State This meant
as increased representation in the republican national con-
With the practical Acknowledgement Of colored voters in
sections of the South while the representation in Con-
well in the republican conventions continued to be
cra office holders of the South were able to practically dictate
the selection of delegates the republican national conventions
and effect to dictate the choice of candidate whenever the
delegates from that section held the balance of power
This Influence resulted in the denomination Of President
1892 and that time to this the delegates from the States
which choose few republican electors have continued be
bone of contention in republican national conventions
A eliminate this disturbing factor suggested
short time by United States Senator Cmns OF Iowa
progressive republican, who proposed call convention to
accomplish reforms The first TO reduce
representation southern States soldly demo
cratic should be represented in conventions if at all only in
the republican they cast for president which
would eliminate the southern office holder and make il i'm
possible either president political boss to south
with and thus dominate hold the
balance of power in a national convention
The second change suggested the modification OF the
national republican national committee that the
action Of political primaries authorized under state law in
national convention would he vail
der the rules of the organizations
These and other propositions being actively dis
cussd together with the project hold national convention
future make changes organization and
methods that may Desirable It is practically certainty
that steps in direction indicated will be taken before the
national election but that long off ana the seec
for convention to bring about this result will
depend upon developments.
is entirely safe say, however that the methods by
which Taft in succession dominated republican
national conventions will be eliminated by the Republican
party.
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