Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1920-01-29
McCu1nber's Address

Bismarck, N. D., Jan. Ex-senator
Porter j. McCumber, who came to
Bismarck to deliver the keynote
speech Of the Republican conven-.
ition" last night, emphatically denied
that there was any secret agreement
between him and Alex Mckenzie and
a. G. Townley. In his address before
che convention, he did not mention
TbwnIey's name, but he spoke in no
uncertain terms regarding reports OF
an agreement
It was expected in many quarters
that Senator McCumber would come
out openly for some candidate for the
Republican nomination for the pres
idency, but he never referred to the
contest 1t also vas expected hat he
would devote some time to the peace
treaty and the League of Nations, but
he never alluded to either.
GREETED With Applause.
When he stepped forward to de-
liver his address. the senator was
greeted with a storm of applause,
which did not subside for several
moments. His address follows:
what ever may have been in my
mind of doubt as to the real char
acter of this congregation disappears
as l look into the faces of men who
1Tdtc ~ l"SIlIS VI SS1A =
the brunt Of battle in the Republican
organization in this state n who
never for a moment have yielded an
inch to any other political organiza-
ton. They bear the scars Of years
of loyal and faithful service, and 1
believe We can continue to entrust
the destinies Of our state to them.
"IrrespeCtive of coming national
conventions, it is most proper that
at least once in four years the Re-
publicans of the state should meet in
convention for the consideration OF
party principles and policies NO
organization can successfully function
or long continue it's existence that
never holds a meeting.
"Such meetings are necessary not
alone for the discussion of important
questions in a forum where they can
be Immediately crystallized into po-
litical policies. but also to give tina
concert of action and united enthus1-
asm necessary to achieve success. If
the principles of a party are worthy
Of support. they are worthy of or
ganized support.
The Best Way.
"Wrhile under our laws it is not alb
solutely necessary for a nominating
convention to present for c~onsidera-
LlOn OIL Tic tOlGIS VI Oily Po 1AS
names of proposed delegates to the
national convention, it is by far the
better way. in my judgment, to do so:
first, because while each individual
candidate seeking to represent the
party of his state in a Republican
national convention can perform the
mere mechanical task Of voting a first
choice for president in accordance
with the wishes of h state, there are
many other duties incumbent upon
a delegate in fixing the policies and
party. There should always be some
way by which the party Of the state
as an organization can submit to the
people its collective views, rather
than the scattered and divergent
views of its constituent parts. Sec
ond, because there has grown up q
system by which small clioues OF so
cieties meet privately and agree upon
a set Of delegates whose candidacy
is submitted to the political adher.
ents Of each party. While the entire
this action Of the few, it is deprived
Of any sHmblance of unity Of voice ir
> presen@g these ame By this pre-
convention system, every county ir
presenting such set of delegates, is in
vited to take part. Third. because the
people are entitled to a declaration
Of political faith and purposes by tn
parties seeking their support or al
legiance before they are called upol
to align themselves with it. The.
have the right to know thai thet
faith is bottomed on a foundation
that will support 1t.
These are reasons l assume which
actuated our national committeeman
in calling this convention. We ar
now assembled as Republican repre-
sentatives of the state in f~urtheranc'
of the. cause of Republicanisn il
state and nation.
"And right here. Mr.. Chairman,
think I am justified in replying t.
and quieting SO far as a most earnes
assurance can quiet the nervous sta
Of minds. Those papers which hav
been fearful lest some malign or 9th
er combination between the Republi
can organization of the state an
some other society was under contem
plation or even within the realm @
possibility. .
Must Stand Firm.
THE Republican party must stan
firm as a roc for those things whic
it believes will best subserve the in
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