The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1937-10-28
G.. o. p.
Conference

|
general party con-
ference early next year. The plan
projected would bring together dele
gates from every state just the
same as the convention that is held
every four years for nominating the
presidential and vice presidential
candidates and formulation of party
policies through adoption of cam
paign platform.
The question has many angles and
in consequence many pros and cons
already have been advanced. In
natural consequence also, some very
well-knoWn Republicans have taken
definite decisions, either for or
against the plan which has the APP
prevail of men like John Hamilton,
chairman of the Republican national
committee, and former President
Herbert Hoover. Some very splen-
did men find themselves honestly in
opposition and have said so in I'M
equivocal terms.
The issue will be fought out at a
meeting of the national committee
early in November and probably
there will be such convention
early in 1888.
AS l have said, there is argument
on both sides but after discussing
the situation with many Republi-
cans, it appears to me that the ad-
vantages outweigh the disadvan-
tages. I say this from the stand
point of the country at large.
Many times in these columns, 1
have expressed the conviction that
a strong minority party, whether
that party be Republican or Demo
cratic, is very healthy condition
for the country as whole. A po-
litical party with too great ma
jority is likely to run away with
itself and do many unsound things.
We have had proof of this during
the Roosevelt administration and we
had proof of it during the admins.
trations of the late President Har-
ding and President Coolidge when
Republicans had too many members
of the house and the senate and the
Democratic minority was inpotent.
I cannot speak from Republi-
can standpoint any more than l can
speak from a Democratic stand
point. Nevertheless, from the posi-
ton I attempt to follow as an OBJ
server of national affairs and long
range national policies, it does seem
that the Republicans ought to quit
fighting among themselves and get
together to oppose that which the
present minority in this country
finds Objectionable in President
Roosevelt's policies. They ought to
determine on set of principles
and stick to them. 1t is their obli-
cation and if they fail to fulfill that
obligation, it seems to me they had
best disband, get rid of those who
attempt to be leaders in the Repub-
lican party and let somebody else
organize the minority faction in the
United States-and it is to be re-
membered that even in the last cleo
ton there were almost Is, 600, 900 Re-
publican voters.
In advocating this action, I am
not motivated as much by my belief
in and support of some of Mr..
Roosevelt's policies as / am in my
disagreement with others of the pro-
gram to which the New Dealer has
adhered.
A strong and vocal minority will
insure the retention of rights and
powers in the hands of the people
where they belong and at the same
time it will compel Democrats to
stick together in carrying out sound
policies proposed by the President.
That latter statement may sound
paradoxical. I think it is not.
make the statement because I know
how many times the gigantic Demo-
cratic majority in congress has
fought over trivialities and because
l know how many times sincere OPP
position to unsound policies has met
with defeat without the country
knowing the reasons for that oppo-
sition.
Taken all in all, therefore, l be-
lieve it is an obligation upon me as
an observer of national affairs to
declare in favor of movement by
the minority party that will result
in a concentration of its power for
the good of the nation. Thus far,
the Republicans have been utterly
childish. Their 1886 campaign was
without doubt more badly conceived
and managed than any political
campaign in recent years. The fault
did not lie wholly with Chairman
Hamilton or with Candidate ALT
Landon. Rather, each one of the
advisers of each one must shoulder
a portion of the blame. They ought
to profit by those mistakes in prepa-
ration for the senatorial and con-
gressional elections of 1888.
And what, one may ask, should be
the creed of the minority party next
year?
Well, as see the picture, the Re-
publican party must be the conserv-
alive party in
What OF the United States.
the Creed? President Roose-
welt and his New
Dealers cannot avoid being the rad
ical party. / have said this many
times in these columns and it is
more evident now even than when
reported upon the situation earlier.
The conservatives can and should
have voice in their government