The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1875-09-04
MASSACHUSETTS POLITICS.
WANTED, 4 MAN TO CONSOLIDATE
THE REPUBLICAN P1RTY.
Complications about the Coming Election
Governor GastOn's Chance of Recollection
The Gcghan Law In the Old hay State.

The Cscghan Law in the Old hay State.
BosToS Sept 3-Thc present indications
are that the Republican party Of Massachusetts,
Is hOpelessly demoralized. In spite of the Vice.
Presidents parting injunction wneh he left for
Saratoga, to harmonic all differences and
secure peace In the family at all hazards" the
harmony has not been secured, and the differ
ences Of opinion as to candidates are not only
unreconcilod, but appear to I've irreconcilable.
As the apothccarys apprentice remarked,
"Things don't pulvsrize worth cent :" and as
there are no principles at issue In the coming
State election, and the party organs have lost
their hold upon the confidence of the Masses
we are all afloat, and no one can safely prognos-
ticate wha. will be the result. The Convention
is TO be held at Worcester in the last week Of
September, and the matter Of selecting pre-
siding oflcer has given the State Committee
great deal OF trouble. 1t was supposed that
Vice President Wilson would cheerfully accept
the position, and he was accordingly invited
but from the fact that the committee are now
casting about for some other prominent citizen,
II Is pretty evident that Barkis Ia not within"
Indeed. II Sir. Wilson continues to let his
tongue run freely about Grant as he has done
recently, the oficehol .ers will not desire him to
be present.
Hut the greatest and most serious trouble is
a. to the selection Of candidate who can unite
the discordant elements Of the party. Tor with
out such unity our present Democratic Cover
nor, CASTOR. will certainly trot over the course
far there are only three Republican candidates,
and the respective friends Of each are entirely
antagunistic to the friends Of the other
There is n pretty even division Of the Republi-
can strength, with a slight preponderance IN
prohibitonsts. His friends have been actively
at work all summer in the small towns, where
the temperance question is regarded IA para
mount. and he Will receive all the votes which
that wing Of the party can control. lie is an
able and conscientious man, bu' being regarded
as fauntlcal upon that question. and having been
hcaten bv Democrat last fail, a coalition Of the
friends " either Of the other candidates with
his il not seriously thought Of for /, would lead
to certain defeat.
on the other hand should Mr.. A. II. Rice OF
Boston lead in the first ballot at the Convention,
the friends OF Talbot are determined to take
their revenge upon him this year Tor his alleged
lukcwarmness when Talbot was a candidate last
wear. Mr.. Rice has been Mayor of Boston,
served several terms In Congress, and enjoys a
reasonable amount OF the confidence OF the
party; but his n not "a name to coniure with &"
In n stand.up fight; and he cannot arouse any
considerable enthusiasm, either In the city or
the country towns.
Salem. He has been upon the anxious seat for
many years; IL man OF line presence and
branches Of the LEGISLATURE; Is as polite as
than either OF his rivals lie was a Hunker
Democrat until after the rebellion had COM
menced. but since he came into the Republican
party has borne an honorable record IL is his
strongest and most influential leaders OF the
other factions. and although he has a pretty
ceniratc the strength ~ the party.
The call for the Democratic state Convention
has been printed, but not yet published. IL Is
more literal To outsiders than the one OF last
ycar,yand invites not only Democrats but " Lib
cral Republicans and all VINO desire to codper-
ate with them In the great work OF the restOra-
ton OF pure and economical government" to
send delegates. This convention will be held
one week PRIOR to the Republican.
The Onto Geghan bill so-called was also
enacted by the Legislature OF Massachusetts, in
April last without opposition from either Demo-
Gratis or Republicans. IL was considered so
harmless. ana at the same time So Just a meas
ure. that no adverse comments were made in
the public press against II, and It seems to have
been absolutely FORGOTTEN. IL reads az follows :
fCuAP. 1891
An act TO provide Tor religious instruction In prisons
lie u enacted dc., as IOioirS; SECTION I. No inmate
mnswest an s6sI he denied inc free eIerese Of hI
religious belief and liberty Of worshippng God ac-
cordng to the dictates of his conscience, within the
Il shall the duty OF the on ers and boards OF officers
having the management and direction OF such
situations to make such rules aud regulations may be
act.
2. Notning herein contained shall be so construed
be needtu for the good government aud safe custody
Of It, inmates.
SIC 3. This act shall take effect upon its passage
Improved April 10, 1871
II seems to me that the Grant organs and
stump speakers In Ohio who have exhausted the
language Of invective IN denouncing the Demo
Gratis Tor what they call "A corrupt barsaiu with
the Roman Catholics. having for its object the
destruction of the whole system of public
schools, will feel very cheap when they learn
that the Republican party OF Mas -achusetts has
recently passet a law to the s me effect. and In
almost the same language; that no one Is hurt
meets the cordial approval Of oil parties through
out the state.