The Bozeman courier., 1927-12-16
AT THE CAPITAL
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but the practical head of the Republi-
can organization Of that state. In
this capacity he is the arbiter in any
political dispute which may arise. In
the southern states, where there are
no Republican senators, the national
committeeman have an almost con-
slant obligation on their hands in CIV
ing attention to the various party
responsibilities.
The committee is organized anew
every four years at the national con-
ventiOn, and it's first and primary task
is the conduct of the campaign for the
election of the party's nominees NAM
ed at the convention. Its next formal
appearance is in December Of the
year preceding the national conven-
tion.
At this meeting it settles the appor-
tionment of delegates, sets the time
and place of the convention, issues
the call for the same, and then acts
as a supreme court on all disputes
which may arise as to the validity Of
credentials of delegates to the con-
ventiOn. The functions of the COM
mittee end virtually the day the con-
vention closes, when a new committee
is elected and starts on its career. AT
all times it is well to remember that
the functions of the national commit
tee are to elect, but not to select
candidates, and to the credit of the
Republican National committee, this
practice has been scrupulOusly Observ-
ed.
Committee Veterans.
While the committee, which is or
ganized the day following adjourn
ment of the national convention, is
legally and technically a new COM
mittee, in many states the same ma
tional committeeman has been elected
term after term. The women MEM
bers whose recognition as full legal
members is of very recent happening,
have as vet been unable naturally to
establish any records as to length OF
service. But, there are quite num-
bers of veterans among the men on
the committee.
David w. Mulvane of Kansas, fOl
example, was first elected in 1900
served until 1912, then retired, was
reelected in 1920, and when he ap'
pears at the convention next June he
will have sevred a total period of 2C
years. R. H. Todd, the committeeman
from Porto Rico, is apparently seconC
: in the record of service. He was frs
elected in 1904, served until 1912, wa'
reelected in 1920, and will have
record in June next year of 16 years
> membership. T. Coleman du POnt o
Delaware, William P. Jackson o
Maryland, Fred w. EstabrOok of New
Hampshire and Ralph E. Williams o
!; Oregon, were all elected to the com
4 mittee in 1908, and in point of con
: tinuOus service, they have four equs
: records.
!, The position OF committeeman an
: committeewoman are entirely an
distinctly honorary and without com
q pensation. And it is a matter c
satisfaction to the Republican part
q that it has always found men an
/ women willing for the sake of, tn
party to assume and faithfully di:
charge the responsibilities Of membel
ship.
Week in and week out, these me
o and women are called upon to giI
x their energy and time to helping, a
. sisting and enthusing the various loc
V. political organizations within the
respective states. In various state
the mere element Of time require
N for travel imposes a serious burde
4 Reference has been made to the po
tical apprenticeship which is requi
ed in advance of many women befO
they reach membership on the n
tional committee.
The case Of Chairman Butler
Id Massachusetts can be cited as a ia
ur illustration Of what the average col
mitteeman goes through. Mr.. Butl'
at just after attaining his majority, to-
ut service on his ward committee; tn
the city committee, then he was elG
or ted to the house of representatives.
Massachusetts; then he went to
state senate where he became pre-
dent; then he became a member
3 the state committee, and for a peri
of years, no matter what his busins
plans or arrangements were, he ms
the attendance on city and state a
national conventions a fixed part
his program, and finally became
member of the national commit