Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-08-19
LOCAL NEWS

Democratic CRucus-An Exciting Scene.
The Democrats of Worcester held their first
caucus of the season, last evening, at the City
Hall, 10 choose delegates to their State Conven-
ton in this city, September 2 Quite an animal
ing time was had.
The meeting was called to order at eight
O'Clock, by Col. Levi Barker, Chairman of the
City Committee. After he had stated the object
OF the meeting and called for its organization as
first in order, George W. Bentley, ESQ, arose
and moved that the caucus be organized by the
choice of Calvin E. Pratt, Esq, as Chairman, and
I. W Caldwell of the Bay State, as Secretary
George W. Gill, Esq, arose and opposed the mo-
ton, and moved, as a substitute, that the meet
ing proceed to ballot for a Chairman. Mr.. ]. B.
Pratt sustained Mr.. Gill, and Mr.. Bentley again
spoke in defence of his motion, and against the
substitute, after which Mr.. John Nilsson moved to
lay Mr.. ellis motion on the table. After some
discussion, Mr.. Mason's motion was put, and
lost-25 to 49,
The question then was on Mr.. ellis motion to
ballot, when G. E. Pratt arose and spoke in a very
earnest strain in denuncaton of the author of
shat motion, (Mr. Gill; as one who was guilty
it was the first time such mode of organizing a
Democratic caucus had been resorted to. Mr..
Pratt alluded to Mr., Gill as one who had sold
out the party, which, he said had been led
by him and his traitorous followers long
enough. Mr.. P denounced the latter as
"camp followers, who are never in front of the
battle, but always in at the serving of the ra-
tions and the division of the spoils. Traitors
who go for their own interest were not the men
to lead the Democratic party of the city of Wor-
cester. The gentleman (Mr. GID had proved
false to the party"
Mr.. Gill then spoke in defence of himself, and
intimated to Mr., Pratt that his proper place was in
the ranks of the party opposed to the national
Z administration.
Mr.. Woodwork objected to these personal-
ties, and went in for union and Democratic prin-
ciples, thinking them above the petty matters
discussed.
Mr. Pratt again spoke in defence of himself
saying he had served several times as Chair
man of Democratic caucuses, by nomination Of
Mr. Gill himself, in the same method of organ
izatOn now proposed by Mr.. Bentley's motion.
Mr.. Gl's motion to ballot, (being the sub
SHtute ior MI Dehtley S motloniJ was then put
and lost--30 to 3S.
Mr.. Bentley's motion, to organize by the choice
Of &c. E. Pratt for Chairman, and T. W. Caldwell
as Secretary, was then put and carried, with but
few dissenting votes, after remarks from Capt.
H. W. Conklin and ]. B. Pratt rather in OPP
position thereto.
Messrs. Pratt and Caldwell then assumed their
positions as officers of the meeting. and Mr..
Pratt made some appropriate Introductory re.
marks on assuming the chair.
Two committees, each consisting of two from
each ward, were then selected by nomination at
large to retire, one to make up and report
list of thirty delegates to the State Convention,
and the other list of names to constitute the City
Committee for the ensuing year. They reported
as follows, and The meeting concurred unanimous
ly therein !;