Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1913-12-19
NATIONAL COM
M|TTEE MEETS
REPUBLICAN LEADERS GET To-
GETHER
representation in National Conven-
ton to be Changed by Committee.


tional Committee proves that while
debate was spirited, that the prevail
ing idea of all present was to prepare
for. and open the way whereby all
party differences could and would be
cared for in such a manner that "A
united party will be in WORKING, shape
by next election.
Following are some Of the acts of
the committee and some of the state
ments made by prominent men which
are interesting to all:
After five hours of debate the Re-
publican National Committee deter
mined Tuesday evening that it was
clothed with ample power to readjust
the composition of the party's Ma
tional conventions and had authority
to make reforms in convention rules
and procedure that have been de-
manded by many elements since the
convention Of 1912 and the Demo-
cratic victory at the polls last Novem-
ber.
With little bitterness and no tangi-
bel evidence that differences which
arose over methods could not be re-
conciled, the committee took steps
which have been agitated in the party
for 30 years and which have been Vi
tai factors in many exciting conven-
tions in its latter-day history.
Representation Basis Changed.
Without dissenting vote the com
mittee decided to make change in
the basis of representation in National
conventions which will greatly affect
Southern states, gave full recogni-
ton to the principle of the primary
in the election of delegates to such
conventions, approved laws regarding
such elections adopted by several
states which provide that all dele
gates be selected at large, and accept
ed the principle that delegates prop
erly accredited by state authorities
shall be placed on the temporary con-
vention roll.
Informally it had been agreed that
the new basis or representation should
be referred to the Republicans in the
various states for ratification.
Convention Plan Voted Down.
The only difference of opinion that
developed on the surface was over the
question of the machinery to be used
to effect the reforms. Of the 40 com
mitteemen who voted on the one roll
call taken, II favored the calling of a
special convention to bring about the
changes. and IS declared themselves
opposed. The roll call by states re-
suited as follows:
Nay--Alabama, Alaska, Arizona,
Arkansas. California, Colorado, Con-
necticut, Delaware, District of Co
lumbia, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Hi
nois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maryland, Min
nesota, Mississippi, Montana, Ne
braska, Nevada, New Hampshire,
New Jersey, North Carolina, Oregon,
Rhode Island, South Carolina, Ten
nessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Vir-
gina, Wisconsin, Wyoming, 30.
Aye-Indiana, Kansas, Louisiana,
Massachusetts. Michigan. Missouri
New Mexico, New York, North Dako-
ia, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South
Dakota, Washington, West Virginia,
IA.
After this ballot progress was mark
ed by a friendly spirit, with an ex-
pressed desire to harmonize and to
face the common "politieal enemy
with a reunited and solid party.
Debate today practically was lim-
tied to a discussion of the need of
special National convention. Sena-
tor Borah loomed out as the domi-
nant figure among the committeeman
who opposed a special convention
while Ex-Governor Hadley, of Mis-
sour. and William Barnes, Jr., OF
New York. led the forces allied In Its
If there was an inclination
toward bitterness at times and II pie
lures were drawn of why things hap
pened to the party in 1912, they were
not dwelt on at length and it was
plain from the beginning of the meet
ing that the committeeman realized
that the pressing question up for
their decision was not the method OF
change. but the change itself. In
closing the discussion for opponents
of the special convention plan Sen,
ator Borah expressed regret TO lnd
himself not in harmony with such of
his intimate friends as Ex-Governor
Hadley. Senators Cummings, of Iowa.
and Jones. of Washington. and Others