The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-09-08

Hall. j. ii. Crossman (presideut) called
the meeting to order, when tho secretary,
N. NJ. Green, said the object Of the meeting
was TO hear report from the committee
appointed TO draft constitution and by
laws for the future government Of the club.
Tho report was then read, and the constl-
tuition and bylaws as submitted by the COM
mlttee were received and adopted.
Mr.. II. West wanted to know who were
the members of the club1
The Chair said that he thought the men,
bership would have to be overhauled and
start afresh.
Mr.. A. X. Browne inquired when the cleo
tion Of officers would occuri
Mr.. John II. Crane replied In September
OF each year.
Mr.. Browne then moved that the club pro-
coed to tho election Of officers, but subsc-
quently moved that the election be post
poned ono week.
Mr.. +. Kelley moved to test the sense Of
the meeting that the club now proceed to
elect officers.
Mr.. Brlscoe said no one had signed the
constitution as provided by the bylaws, and
II would not be proper to elect officers until
the club was properly organized.
Geo. W. Hatton said the time had arrived
to elect officers and organize, as procrasti-
nation was the thief Of time.
After further debate the election Of officers
was deferred one month.
James N. Dalton here announced himself
as candidate for membership Of the club.
A member moved that q resolution be
adopted declaring Mr.. Dalton elected.
A voice-"O, no; there Is no necessity for
that"
A reconsideration of the vote postponing
the election Of officers was had, when Major
VIM. s. Morse made spread-eagle speech,
such as usual In such cases, and with great
| IL ha al .Nft
officers Of the club on the present occasion.
The result Of elccting officers tonight would
institute In the minds Of the Republicans Of
the ward division. He was willing TO wait
one month, that good Radical Republicans
may be elected.
Mr.. Hatton said the last speaker prophc-
sled discord, and from his remarks no other
construction could DO put on his remarks
than the meeting was composed OF dissent
crs.
Major Morse disclaincd any such intcn-
ton.
Mr.. IIattou then addressed the meeting at
length In favor OF organization at once. If
parties found 1t too hot or too cold to attend
the meeting let them stay away, for he was
ready TO vote and act at once. He was Re-
publican, and his freedom consisted In free
speech and free action, and was therefore
favorable to immediate organization.
Major Morse replied In warm terms, and
was called to order by the Secretary.
The Chair decided that Major Morse was
In order.
Mr.. Morse then proceeded to address the
meeting, asserting that the constitution sub.
mitted was new one, and the members Of
the club should have been apprised of the
fact, and q meeting not called to the effect
that important business" was to be trans
acted, without stating what that "important
business" was. lie said II was too carly In
the campaign TO call meetings to "blcker"
about matters not calculated to advance tho
Republican cause, and the early meetings Of
the ward clubs were depicted only too truly
by the public press when said meetings
were characterized as disgraceful. He de-
sired harmony In the party, and therefore
hoped that the election Of officers would be
postponed.
Without settling the matter in dispute,
the secretary read the following series Of
resolutions
Whereas difference OF opinion and a divi.
sion OF sentiment within our ranks as Repub-
lcans has well. nigh worked a division of the
party and paralyzed its influence for future
success and usefulness;
a great extent superinduced by the counte.
nance and encouragement given to the worst
enemies Of our party BY those whom we have
positions within the gift OF the people;
, Aud where Is there seems to be a determined,
obstinate, and studied disposition on the part
OF some Of those SO entrusted by US With
power snd position to even shut us of from
the poor privilege Of criticising their official
motives and derlie US for respectfuiIy i1Si.
eating our preference with regard to questions
involving our dearest interests; therefore be II
RrsOlpcd, That we regret the necessity that
compcls US even for one moment to question
the Integrity OF any Of our leaders, or their
firm adherence to those principle, which must
survive AL men, and overcome all party pre-.
, objections, and still more do We sincerely
regret that spirit Of nunkyism within
ous ranks, which Invariably allies itself with
ShHt S ss"&S Nay seem TO be- the
strongest sto Inn AN, ana most nohu.r, and who when
denouneing the position they had previously
existing between his Honor the Mayor and
the leaders Of our party In the Fourth ward
the sympathies OF this club are Of necessity
, and from force Of circumstsnces with those pho
cere icih us, and who most aided US In the
, hour Of our greatest need during the recent
we have shifted quarters or changed our base
In this contest, which has been kept up since
that time, when we defeated all whom we
could possibly get In our front on that mem.
orAble occasion. Where zoe stood then TOE stand
now, on every Issue then and at present iu-
abandon those principles or the men who
valiantly stand up In their defence, and we
warn those men In our community who seem
SE dnoa aS 10 81 P %p iS' sas S ~
the use they make OF the present trust con.
aded to them win they be judged BY the PEG.
proper time In vindcation OF Impartial Jus.
, tice and the integrity Of our party, and OF the
! purity of Its principles.
charges preferred against his honor the Mayor
we have nothing but regrets TO offer, and no
"Rn in ~ s
, one) ayeIity that "Sunicient unto the day 10
the evil thercol;' nevertheless. we regret ex.
who isbored to defeat the exposition OF the
statement in the Board OF Aldermen, and who
has clearly evidenced determination to de-
mand for an impartial investigation, should
have been made chairman OF the committee OF
, investigation, in violation OF all parliamentary
practice, member of the ward from which
said charges come having moved the reference
! to special committee tand simply expressed
; the hope that the investigation be conducted
r with impariinlity and fairness) he being
thereby entitled to its ehairnanship.
Rcso'rcd, That the only way to disabuse the
| of this ward OF the opinions they are at pres.
c ent compelled to entertain is, first, to pay the
1 laboring men, who are now suffering for the
and, second, for his honor the Mayor and those
who are In his confidence to select and appoint
, as commissioner of this ward a man who from
with the best interests of the party who for
the first time In Its history carried This ward
AZ Ine lhte eIectlOnl VIII command the respect,
confidence and support of those upon whom
, we must depend for success In the ensuing
municipal campaign.
Mr.. Green advocated the adoption of the
resolutions, and vote being taken, they
were adopted.
Mr.. Crane said he observed the extreme
anxiety of evil spirits who made themselves
: obnoxious at our meetings last year, and In
order to crafty them he was willing that an
election of officers be proceeded with at
once, Notwithstanding the sense of the meet
ing, at Its opening, was largely in favor Of a
postponement.
Considerable time was spent In motions
and counter motions, when 1t was finally
agreed that the meeting take a recess of ten
minutes in order to prepare ballots for the
election of officers for the ensuing year.
The ballots having been prepared, the meet
Ing was called to order and Messrs. Morse
and Hatton appointed tellers. The election
resulted as follows;
President, John II. Crane LIST vice pres
ident, George W. Hatton I'd vice president,
john X. Tunia secretary, A. NJ. Green; treas
urer, Benjamin Mccoy.
The meeting then adjourned.