The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1914-01-08
WHY NO CONVENTION WAS CAL
LED

WHY NO CONVENTION WAS CAL
LED
Washington Daily Times: The de-
termination of the Republican Nat
ional Committee that it is unnecessary
to call an extraordinary national con-
vention came as a distinct surprise.
The discussions of the subject, prior
to the gathering of the committeeman
seemed clearly to indicate that there
would be wellnigh unanimous acquies-
cence In issuing the call. Some men
who would not have been expected,
on their own account, to indorse the
plan, had been brought by political
pressure to support it, and when Had
ley. Cummins, Barnes, and Crane were
all lined up behind the proposition,
1t seemed that the various elements
We're so largely represented that OPP
position would be difficult Moreover,
the action OF the Congressional cam
paign committee, in formally resolving
In favor of a convention, added
strength to the movement.
Yet the national committee vetoed
the proposal, and it is likely that its
decision will be accepted as, on the
whole, the part of wisdom. The COM
mittee has chosen to 90 its own sur
rendering. 1t has admitted the out
rage that was prepetrated at Chicago
last year, and In effect has pledged
itself that there shall be no repetition
Of that performance in future. 1t
has assumed authority to revise the
party law concerning apportionment,
recognition of primaries, and the like.
Whether or not, technically speaking.
1t has that authority, is not so i'm
portant as It might seem. The party
rank and file is plainly in a frame
Of mind to assent to such an exercise
Of authority. Nobody will question
the thing that the committee Is doing,
and when a national convention come
along, in 1915, 1t will unQuestionably
ratify the action Of the committee.
The telling argument against an
extraordinary convention was that
the Issrty organization ought to come
from the people up, not from the
top down. It should begin In the
states, In the local campaigns of
the coming year. and thence proceed
into the realm of national politics.
An extraordinary national convention
might prove unmanageable. 1t would
be altogether likely to turn out q
gathering of politicians, represent
ing the hitler politicians. 1t might
develop chickering's and factions which
would emphasize, rather than com.
pose, the differences within the par
ty. -.
Finally. there was good deal OF
testimony that the masses of repub-
licans were showing disposition to
get together without urgings. The
results of recent elections, the re-
ports on registrations in various
widely scattered cities, the DISPOSE
ton of the elements, which last year
separated, to return to their former
allegiances without making any sacri-
fices of principles-all of these things
were looked upon as indicating that
affairs were moving at a satisfactory
pace toward the contamination which
the party leaders had in view.
Without much doubt, the discussion
and the gathering OF the national
committee have produced results cal
culated to promote the unification pre-
gram. The committee has shorn it
self of the powers that last veal
it abused, and has given assurance
that delegates chosen by primaries
will not again be interfered with
The men who did all this realized
that they were abdicating their owl
powers. But they did it in rather
better spirit than might have beer
expected; partly, of course, because
they couldn't help themselvs, ant
partly, it ought to be said in theil
favor, because they were disposed Il
take rather a broad and unselfisf
view of the situation. The passion.
of 1912 have a good deal cooled off
and men are looking at these prob
lens pretty sanely.