The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-09
SESSIONS PLAN
Secretary Of State Would
Change Representation Plan
OF Delegates to Republican
National Convention.
SUBMITS n TO aInU ROOT
Only Republican States to Be
Represented.
Bar South Entirely-No Change
for Northern States.
II TO HlHU ROOT


Secretary Of State Charles Sessions
has worked out and submitted to Elihu
Root q new plan for changing the basis
Of representation from southern states
In Republican national conventions.
Sessions plan IL based on party vote in
tho several states. It would reduce
southern representation from 80 to 60
delegates and the total national conven-
tfon delegation from 1,004 to TIA. Prac-
tically no change would be made In
northern representation under the Ses-
sions plan
Many theories for changing the basis
Of representation from southern states
have been submitted. But the Sessions
theory seems one of the most logical
that has yet been offered. Only states
which elect q full set Of Republican
electors would be accorded representa-
ton on the present basis under the
Sessions plan. Thus Sessions would
provide that the rock ribbed Democ-
racy of the south would secure repre-
sentation on the basis OF territorial rep
resentation-two to four delegates from
each state. Sessions thinks it might be
possible to extend this southern policy
to include Oklahoma, Arizona and New
Mexico, which have lined up In the
Democratic column since their admfs-
sion to the Union Under this plan rep
resentation in the national convention
would become an incentive for party
success.
Tho Suffrage Question.
The Sessions plan would neatly dodge
the suffrage question in the several
state where women have been given the
ballot. Sessions plan would allow only
the present representation froip north
ern states which are in tho Republican
~
given no added advantage over larger
states by virtue Of q suffrage amend
ment to their state constitution.
When the Republican committee
meets in Washington next week, the
Sessions plan will be submitted aA-one
of the suggestions for changing tha
basis Of representation from southeFu
and Democratic states. Many sugges-
tions for q change in representation
have been offered, but the plan Of the
Kansas man Ii one Of the most plaus-
ible and logical that has been offered
to the national committee.
Tho Session Plan.
In his letter to Elihu Root, Sessions
said in part:
'"To base representation on voting
strength will suit Kansas all right but
this may be found to be impossible on
account OF opposition from Republi-
can states which have not as yet
A0OpIeO WOIuAn 9u1II6&e.
'sIt appears to me that the proposed
new basis should be SO fixed as to
meet. as nearly as possible. the ap-
proval Of all the Republican states.
why would 1t not be a good idea
to leave the basis. as 1t Is at present.
ON population-with q proviso that
each state which has consistently and
persistently refused or failed to elect
q full set OF Republican presidential
electors at least once since the presi-
Dental election Of 1876, shall only be
entitled to the same representation as
the territories in the future national
conventions or a fixed number, say
two or four delegates, for instance.
''While giving each such state and
territory a national committeemSn. =,
same as q delegate in congress from
q territory is treated.
'aThen lay down the rule that when
ever a state in this limited list does
elect a fun set Of Republican presi-
Dental electors 1t shall be entitled to
q full set Of delegates based on popu-
lation at the succeeding national con-
vention, and its national committee
man shall be taken into full fellow
ship with q night to vote.
''Such plan, / believe, would not
only be fair to the Republican states.
but it might have q tendency to en-
courage some Of the benighted Demo-
cratic states Of the south to see the
I&nt ana go RepuDllCdu ONCE II Cuey
ever do it once and break the ice they
may form thu habit.
South Would Oppose . Change.
s"The south may think that this or
any other plan that cuts its repre-
sentation il arbitrary, but it will take
arbitrary action Of some kind to cor
rect the present evil. It II unfortu-
nate for the south that action Of any
kind is necessary, but the party can
not halt just because it is sorry for
some one or some state.
las I understand 1t this question
may not be settled by the national
committee at its coming meeting, as its
law committee has ruled that the COM
mittee can lot change the basis of
representation. But in view of the
fact that q national convention may
possibly be called to iron out our Re-
publican troubles and as full and
free discussion beforehand is always
essential to the just and proper set
tlement of any big question. trust
you will give this suggestion whatever
consideration you deem it merits. Very
truly yours
''CHAS H. SESSIONS
RanR naM laR AAAaAARAA