Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-27
ROPER PROPOSES
CONVENTION END
Democratic Expression by
States on Presidency
Asked as Substitute.

Daniel c. Roper, at one time collector
Of internal revenue and First Assistant
Postmaster General, yesterday suggested
the abolition of Democratic national
conventions and the substitution of
greater political powers for the party
in the individual States. Mr.. Roper, an
influential Democrat for many years,
hailing originally from South Carolina,
made his proposal in an address before
the executive committee of the Women's
National Democratic Law Enforcement
League at a luncheon meeting at the
Mayfiower Hotel.
II Mr.. Roper's suggestion were car
ried out, the electoral college would be-
come all important in the final selec-
ton of the President and Vice Presi-
dent of the United States, instead Of
being a mere shadow as It is today.
The executive committee, comprising
about 100 representatives of the league
from various parts of the country went
into session here today to formulate the
Leagues policy with regard to the gen.
eral elections in 1882.
Raskob Is Attacked.
In addition to hearing Mr.. Roper, the
committee also was addressed by MRS.
Jesse w. Nicholson of Chevy Chase,
national president of the League, who
attacked John j. Raskob, chairman OF
the Democratic national committee for
his anti-prohibition stand. She de-
manded RaskobS resignation, on issue
that also was to be laid before the COM
mittee today in the form of resolu-
R@xy% he ri M directors
of the League last night. Mrs. Nichol-
son also forecast the formation Of a
Constitutional Democratic party.
Pointing out that conflicting inter-
ests in the States of the Union do not
make for the solidarity OF party as in
the past, Mr.. Roper said:
what may now be termed Democ-
racy in Illinois may be Republlcanism
In Alabama. What might be reformed
tariff contention in North Carolina
might be considered Republicanism in
mississippi. Under present-day dis
taIrbanceS in our economic and social
life it is natural that neither OF the
major political parties as now lined up
IS at ease or In harmony with the I'M
digested segments in its organization.
Activities Of Groups.
s'we now have the farm group, the
labor group, the wet group, the dry
group and more recently the Negro
group in opposing confirmation Of Judge
Parker.
''It is not surprising that under such
conditions in America national political
conventions in recent years have proved
unsatisfactory. The results for the
Democratic party especially have been
most destructive, and suggest the adj
visibility of trying to find way to bet
ter adjust modern conditions.
1.-THE plan should prompt local self
expression and thereby strengthen
rather than weaken the initiative of
the States and at the same time afford
n more untrammeled ieeway for the
people to elect President and Vice
President of the United States in keep
ting with their own intelligent ideals It
should enable the various States to
feel that they are being permitted to
vote for O platform and for candidates
for these two great offices in accord
ance with their own State requirements.
Nov as national Democratic conven-
tons In recent years have not only fail
ed to be constructive, but have actually
been destructive of party solidarity, ]