Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1828-11-04
LANCASTER.
TUESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 4, 1928.
The WESTMINSTER CONVENTION. The

eXCeptlOH WHICH mas Deen taken 10 the
recent convention at Westminster, or, as
it is now familiarly styled, "The West
minister Assembly," is as unaccountable
as it was altogether unexpected. The
charges which have been made against it
by anonymous writer's in several newspa-
pers are of such nature that statement
of the truth is rendered necessary, even
now that the election has passed. The
very respectable gentlemen who composed
the convention will not probably think it
necessary to defend themselves against the
charges of unfairness and corruptlMn
which have been SO lavishly heaped VI /
them, because their accusers have not had
the righteousness to object to their pro-
ceedings in an open and respectful man
ner. But we consider it our duty to re-
move the stigma which it is attempted
to attach TO the convention. This we
shall be able fully to accomplish by state
ment of such facts in relation to it as are
within our knowledge.
Early in October, the gentleman who
is the corresponding committee of Wor-
cester North District, "a committee which
it is well known was established at the
convention of the friends of the admin
istration in Boston in June last) received
from the Central Committee circular re-
questing him to call convention of the
friends of President Adams in the district,
to take some measures preparatory to the
choice of Electors of President. In con-
sequence of this circular the following no
tlce was inserted in this Gazette of the
9TH and l4th =
"The friends of the National Administration in
the several towns comprising Worcester North Con-
gressonal District, hereby requested to appoint
Delegates to meet in Convention at Adams HOTEL |
IN Westminster, Thursday, the 10th day of Octo-
Der current, at O'Clock, p. NJ for the purpose of
making arrangements for the approaching Presden-
tial Election-Gnd to nominate some person Cam
didate for Representative to the nert Congress
At the request of the Central COMMITTEE
October z, 1928.
The portion of this notice relating to
Member Of Congress was added at the
suggestion of one or more individuals, and
the phraseology of the whole was precise
ly the same as that adopted in some other
districts. A convention for the nominal
ton Of candidate for Member of Con-
gress had been suggested by correspond
ent in this paper, some time previous, and
we had once or twice expressed hope
that such convention would be held, and
that measures would be taken to have a
full representation, that fair expression
Of the minds Of the people Of the district
might be obtained. 1t appearing that no.
body else would move in the matter. it !
was thought advisable to incorporate in
the same notice the two objects. This
notice was published likewise in the Bos-
ton Journal, and the Worcester and Athol
papers, Besides this a circular was
printed, signed by Mr.. Willard, the cor
responding committee, and sent to every
town in the district. 1t is not a common
practice on such occasions to send circu-
lars, notice in the newspapers being con-
sidered sufficient, and it was not thought
OF in this instance till Saturday the 18th,
when it was incidentally suggested to the
committee. They were then Immediately
printed, and sent as soon as possible. Up
on the notice thus given the convection as
sembled, and nineteen members were
present Previous to the organization off
the convention 1t was stated by member
from Fitchburg that Mr.. Locke had sig
n!fied his wish not to be considered a can
didate. This is confirmed by Mr.. Locke's |
letter, since published, in which he states
that ne authorized gentleman to make
known to the convention his determine |
ton to decline. Although this gentleman
was not present, his commission was en-
trusted to, and faithfully performed by.
another person. Notwithstanding Mr.. |
Locke's wish, thus expressed, some of his
friends chose to vote for him, and on the
ballot being taken, he had eight votes, and
Mr.. Kendall etecen. The latter gentleman
was of course declared to be the candidate
of the convention, and vote torecommend