The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-01-26
FRIDAY MORNING. JAN. 26, 1917.
REPUBLICAN NATIONAL COMMITTEE
CONTROL.

NOlNA NOAs
To those who had hoped for reorganized and
reuyenated Republican party. the recent row at the
meeting Of the executive and campaign committees
does not bring much feeling Of comfort.
In order to bring about rehabilitation Of the ma
tional Republican organization, that would be in
touch with the liberal tendencies Of the day. Chair
man Wilcox. last week. called meeting Of the
executive committees Of the national committee and
the campaign committee and preliminary to the meet
ing itself. invited the members to dinner at New
York hotel.
But during the afternoon there was held secret
meeting Of the executive committee Of the national
committee. and programmed previously disclosed
to Chairman Willcox-was jammed through by the
small group Of reactionaries who carry out the orders
Of Murray Crane Of Massachusetts and William
Barnes of New York
Against the protest Of Chairman Wilcox and
three other members, the scheme presented by James
A. Hemmenway Of Indiana was adopted. and an
urgent request to refer the matter to the entire ma
tonal Republican committee was voted down.
1t involved the selection Of vice chairman Of the
national committee, John T. Adams of Iowa. and
put the management Of the party. its policies and f.
nances. in the hands Of committee of three
Chairman Wilcox. Vice Chairman Adams and Cor
nelus Bliss. Jr.. of New York. the last two named
being pronounced reactonares, who have the power
to reduce the chairman to mere figurehead
The proposed plan Of control Of the party also
provides for the establishment at Washington of per-
manent headquarters, where Adams is to have full
control Of its activities.
\ T. y T.
This action involving the control Of the national
committee, was taken by the following persons. who
are either members Of or who held proxies for mem
bers Of the executive committee Of the national com
mittee: Hemmenway Of Indiana, representing thu
Fairbanks faction Of that state; Ex-Governor Gllett,
Of California, who held the proxy Of Croker, III,
bitter personal and political enemy Of Governor
Johnson. and who by common consent was the ONT
person responsible for the loss Of the state to Wilson
when it was carried by Johnson by $4,000 plural
ity; Late Gleason Of New York. Barnes right hanc
man. who held the proxy Of Sam Perkins Of Wash
ington. who managed the recent Hughes campaig,
in that state which was lost to Hughes and at tn
same time carried by Pondexter by $4,000; Akal
Martin Of Virginia. who held the southern delegate
for Taft" at the famous Chicago convention. ane
E.astabrook Of New Hampshire, whose offensive at
htude towards the Progressives in that state lost
for Hughes in November.
A minority representation OF the membership Wig
orously protested against the action taken and de
handed that Chairman Wilcox call the full nations
committee to pass upon the secret, arbitrary actio
OF packed executive committee, in order that
might be determined whether control by this inne
circle Of reactonares should be ratified.
Their protest called forth approval Of Colon,
Roosevelt, Governor Johnson and host of Pre-
gressive leaders of 1912, all of whom had give
loyal support to Hughes in 1916. So far, Chat
man Wilcox has taken no formal action towal
convenng the national committee.
y
leans Of the country no more arbitrary action h
been taken by this same group Of discredited po
t;cans. since they stole the presidential nominate
in 1912.
1t has discouraged liberal Republicans everywhcr
who cannot understand why such tactics should
employed at this time, when the party needs
strengthen its standing with the people. rather TIL
to repe the progressive elements in the various state
After the catastrophe at Chicago in 1912. Barn
said: I'VE may be out Of power four years;
may be out Of power eight years; we may be out
power twelve years. but at least we can hold on
the organization"
That probably explains the action Of these m
last week ,,'n ,IsGgts = lI % s~.
- - *1t*a*4*
Three years still intervene before the next Repu
Ecan national convention In the meanwhile ,