The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1913-12-16
c. 0. P. At CAPITAL
Republicans Meet In Wash
ingtOn Tomorrow.
TO REHABilIIAIE THE PARTY.
Expect Special Conference of National
Committee to Result In an Amicable
Adjustment-Wide Differences of
Opinion on Proposed Ideas.
TO REHABiLITAIE THE PARTY.

Washington, Dec. 49, Republican
leaders came trooping into Washington
from all parts Of the country to attend
the special meeting of the national
committee here tomorrow
This is the meeting which will decide
on plans for the reorganization of the
Republican party and which is likely
to prove one of the most important
meetings ever held by that body.
The lobby Of the New Willard hotel,
where the committee will meet, was
thronged with Republican leaders and
Republican members of congress.
Every national committeeman seem.
ed to have an idea of his own on reor-
ganization, and no two agreed in de-
tail. Regarding the question of can
didate in 1916 no committeeman has
yet appeared with the temerity to in
ject that issue into the present sea of
trouble.
The differences of opinion in regard
to the advisability of calling Repub.
lican national convention next summer
are so marked that the meeting may
be full of controversy.
special Convention Expected.
The impression is growing, however.
that those who favor such move
finally will have their way and that
proclamation will be issued calling an
extraordinary convention to adopt a
new basis of representation that will
reduce the influence of the southern
states in party councils.
l.. n Al,
portant to be considered by the COM
mittee. 1t is bitterly condemned by
many regular leaders and viewed with
suspicion by others, but the indications
now are that it will have the support
of majority of the committee.
The so called progressive faction of
the party, including Senator Cummins
of Iowa, insists that the party must re-
organize by reducing southern repre-
sentation in convention if it is to avert
another row such as that which result
ed in the Roosevelt bolt of 1912.
To this contention some Of the regu-
lars subscribe, but others show their
teeth, apparently because they believe
1t is decided concession to the so
called progresslves.
On the other hand, fear was express
ed by many Republicans who have ar
rived that a special convention may do
more harm than good. They feared
that 1t would lead to further contro-
versies which will only reopen the
wound in the Republican party and
undo the good effects of the events of
the last few months.
The Republicans who are opposing
the convention insisted that the hope
of the party lies in the effect of the
Democratic program of legislation upon
the country and that the lapse of time
surely will bring a solidification of the
Republican ranks.
They expressed fear that the repre-
sentatives of the party when assem-
bled in a special national convention
might recklessly commit themselves to
a program which would not at all fit
the conditions that might be confront
ing the country in 1916.
The southern committeeman will
fight the convention plan from the
drop of the hat. They realize that If
such gathering is called the south
will be loser politically. If they fail
to defeat the resolution providing for
special convention the southern con
tingent will make a strong effort to fix
the date of the gathering as far in the
future as possible.