The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1914-04-17
G. 0. P. IN HANDS
OF THE VOTERS
CHANGES IN RULES OF NATIONAL
REPUBLICAN coMmJTTEEsWlLL
BE SUBMITTED 70 STATES.
SOUTHERN REPRESENTATION !
IS MATERIALLY REDUCED

or Manner Deemed Best, Reco apized
by Partys Highest Authority-WiIl
Be Acted Upon by State Convention
On May 20 In Charleston.
Charleston, W. vas-( Special THE
Republican State Convention, which
has been called to meet in Charleston
on May 20. Will pass upon the reforms
IN the national rules OF the party
agreed upon by the National Commit.
fee at meeting IN Washington last
December and submitted to the con.
ventions Of the various states for rati.
flcation. 81 Z
The changes In these rules, as set
out in the statement, which has been
prepared, by a subcommittee OF the
National Republican Committee, OF
which Gov. Hatfield, OF West Virginia,
was one OF the three m EN- beers, places
the destiny aud control of the Repub,
lIcan party absolutely In the hands Of
the people; gives them the power to
select their delegates to the National
Convention In conformity with the
laws of the state or III the manner
designated by the state organization
and makes Il mandatory that the Ma.
tional Committee make up the ten.
porary roll Of the sconyentionff from the
delegates certified from the various
states.
The change in the basis Of repre-.
sentation, as provided In the resolti:
tion, reduces the representation from
the Southern states to the extent OF
eighty-four delegates, while the North.
ern states lose only I'VE delegates.
This makes the representation in the
National Convention from the South.
ern states sixteen per cent Of the total,
while heretofore the Southern states
have had thirty.three per cent OF the
delegates to the National Convention
In order to make the changes in
party rules effective. it Is necessary
that they be ratified by states entitled
to two-thirds vote in the electoral col.
lege. The changes are set forth fully
in the report OF the subcommittee, as
given ont this week, which is as fol.
lows:
To the Republican Conventions in the
Several States:
The National Committee of the Re.
publican party met In Washington, in
December last, TO revise thetrules gov.
erning the calling, election Of dele:
gales to. and organization Of, future
National Conventions of the party.
In response TO the growing belief in
the minds OF the voters that the cleo.
ton OF delegates to National conven.
Ations in direct primaries is the most
effective means OF recording and ex.
pressing the will OF the lyot tiers, the com.
1nittee. under the powers granted Il
by the National conyerition adopted a
resolution providing:
That in any State which shan require
BY law. prior 10 the electionsof DELEGATE tea
from such State. the election OF such del.
eentes 10 National Conventions OF 7polttI.
cal parties By direct tprimariesi the dele.
conformity with such law ~ n
1T is necessary that the party as d
national organization recognize the
right OF the voters in any state to do:
termine for themselves the question Of
whether part o. the delegates fronsa
state shall be elected from congres.
sional districts or all from the State
at large
Several states have afread enacted
laws requiring the election OF all dele
gates to National Conventions OF polit
zeal parties from the state at! large
rather than part from congressional
districts and part from the state at
large.
In order to eliminate conflicts In the
future between the rules OF the party
and the laws Of such states, and Of
other states thar may hereafter enact
similar laws, the committee adopted
this resolution: Syys
That MI delegates from any State may
be chosen from the StateI ii large, or part
from The Stale ut large Sand part from
CONVERSATIONAL Districts. In conformity
with the iaws Of the State In which the
election occurs. h 2 ~
~ <tit Al " VI hohaNGtlGQuiIGSfLu Tie Qel
egates to National Convention to be
elected in d direct primary election
the law designates some officer OF the
state to issue certificates Of election
to delegates SO chosen. The National
Committee should recognize certihi
Gates SO issued and place the names
OF the holders thereof upon the tenn.
porary roll Of the convention.
The committee passed a resolution
which in definite terms provides by
the recognition by the committee
OF such certificates, and directs that
the names OF The delegates presenting
such certificates be placed upon the
Temporary roll of the convention. ,
The resolution adopted Is ID these
words,
= That delegates presenting certificates OF II
cicrflon from the cnrvhsstng board or Of
ficer created or designated b Stale law
TO cunta1s the returns and issue ceffIii5
cafes Of election to delegates 10 National
Conventions Of political parties IN q mi Il
mary election shall he placed tsIIon the
Temporary roll by the National coinnit!j
lee. - -.
Some states already have enacted