The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1881-07-12

the Post says it is learned that the stalwarts
propose TO ISSUE manifesto to the state show
Ing why they cannot support Miller and lap
ham, and why a new caucus should be held.
IL IS Is whispered that they SIRE considering the
teas lolhty OF presenting Grant and Wheeler.
A Malone dispatch says Ex-Vice President
Wheeler advises his friends TO abide by the ae-
ton Of the caucus.
ALBANY, July 1.-THE following appeal has
been sent to the joint caucus committee:
10 Chairman end Members of TIE lSe1tate ard
assembly,,
GENTLEMEN. Tho undersigned, commit
tee appointed for the purpose at 3 meeting of
the Republican members of the legislature, re-
spectfully request the Republican caucus com
mittee OF the Senate and Assembly 10 unite ia
the call Tor caucus of Republican members of
the legislature TO be held at such time as said
committee shall designate for the purpose of
nominating candidates to be voted for to fill
the vacancies in the United States Senate oc-
casloned by the resignation of Hon. Roscoe
Oonkhns and Hon. Thomas 9. rlatt. No aau-
Gus OF Republican members of the legislature
has as yet been called by the usual and recog-
nlzed method. A protracted contest over the
filling OF the vacancies above referred to has
made 1t clear that no settlement of this ques-
ton can be reached which shall at once secure
aeqoiescence OF all in its result and restore har-
mony to the party, and preserve the integrity
OF Its organization except by a strict compliance
with party usages. We firmly believed that
any doctrine or rule of action which attempts
to guide the party conduct, except that which
recognizes the control of the majority aud free
opportunity for participation of all, will neces-
sarlly prove fatal to the organization of the
party in state and nation
On behalf of those whom we represent we
are led to ask. for a caucus on the additional
ground that the organization of the House of
Representatives in Congress in the interest of
the party, shall not be endangered by the cleo
ton OF members Of the present Congress to fill
above mentioned Senatorial vacancies Such
danger is Threatened in the pro-
position to elect to these vacancies Messrs Lap
ham and Miller, two members of the present
Congress. There is no provision under exist
ing laws for filling the vacancies which would
occur from the election of these gentlemen to
the office of United States Senator except at
the next general election on the Tuesday sue
ceeding the first Monday in November.
Inc appeal here includes statement of
the process of election for members of
Congress in order to show that contingency
may easily arise whereby the organization Of
the House Of Representatives may take place
before the meeting of the board of state can
yassers, or before the election of the successors
of MessEs Lapham land Miller could possibly
be authenticated and certified to the House OF
Representatives and continues I'm case an
extra session of Congress should be called be-
tore the next general election in November, ii
IS clear tn&t the organization of the House of
representatives must necessarily take place in
the absence OF Messrs. Lapham and Miller, or
their successors. Then if by tho nasty and an
interrupted proceedings by the county and
state canvassers which, AS we have pointed out,
cannot be relied upon, the successors Of Afessrs
L2pham and Miller, shoald secure their certiti-
Gates in time to be present at the opening of
the Congress, there still remains distractions
and ditfiulties in the way of their participating
in the organization Of the House. The pre-
tense CT a contest, Or the refusal of The Demo
cratic Clerk OF the House to place their names
upon the roll, or any of a score Of these devices
to which a willy foe will not hesitate to resort,
will suffice to secure the organization of the
next House of Representatives by the Demo
cratic party. These we think are conssdera-
tons which should receive attention in full
and free caucus of Republican rnembers of the
legislature.
(signed} EDWIN G. HALBrRT.
ROBERT H. STRAHAN,
II E TITJIILI