Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1892-03-09
T0night's Caucuses.

Tonighrs Caucuses.
The very general and emphatic ap
proval Of our editorial yesterday regard
ing the Unprecedented and a. it seems
to us uncallcd FOR departure from time
honored party custom In the calling OF
four ward caucuses for Wednesday, led
US TO hope, up to late hour, that the
committees in charge OF them would be
Influenced by desire to promote party
harmony to change their programme
and have these caueuses as heretofore
the last OF the week. They certainly
cannot have failed TO have become cogni-
zant Of the very general crit
icism their course has provoked among
the Republicans OF this city. they are
really As devoted to the party welfare a.
they claim to be they surely should not
hold caueuses at a time which consti-
tutes an ahront TO the churches and is
therefore looked upon with ontspDken
disfavor BY a very large number Of tie
Republicans Of the city. We have yet
to hear a single reason advanced why
these caucuses should have been called
on Wednesday and not the latter part
Of the week IA has been the case in yenrs
it said that TIE object was to
enable certain active workers 10 those
wards to get their own affairs disposed
of in order to devote their undivided At
tention to the remaining wards. But
this is simply no reason at all and
should not dictate party action. The
wards whose caucuses will be held on
Friday according to precedent, are en-
tirely qualified to take care OF their own
Affairs without outside assistance. We
shot 4 he surprised il the voters in them
would toleratc such Interference In their
atiAirs. One tbioA Is certain ana we
cannot emphasize it too strongly. The
voters in all the caucuses must
be absolutely above suspicion. The unity
necessary for party success demands
this. Il is useless to deny that Repuhli-
cans OF this city entertain widely differ
ent opinions regarding certain eandi-
dscles and certain methods Of mango
ment. The feeling on both sides is not
lacking In intensity. II is, therefore, OF
vital importance that the results of these
caucuses should be- so fair as to be above
all question, and command for the gen
tlemen nominated at them the full party
strength at the polls. Every man
who goes to these primaries
should constitute himself q committee
OF one to insist upon their proper con
duct. Anything savoring of trickery
should be jumped upon with promptness
and vigor. In order that there may be
no chance to question the results or the
fairness OF the ballots We would suggest
the use Of the check lists. This would
place matters above suspicion and the
verdict would be accepted as a fair ex-
preston of the voters qualified to act in
the various wards. II it were desirable
to save time all the officers might
lee nominated on one ballot. We
say very frankly that caucuscs where
committees to receive, sort and count
votes are resd oil from previously pre-.
pared slips. unmindful of the fact that
some OF the men thus houortd are not
present st the gathering will not be sat
isiactory to the Republican voters Of
this city. II the check lists are used no
man selected for that duty will feel i'm
PEELED by the eNigencies Of the occasion
TO remove votes distasteful TO his views
upon the ground that they were thrown
by Democrats. With the check lists we
shall come pretty rear knowing whether
the voters are Republicans or democrats
and also whether they are bona lide resi-
deuts Of the wards where they assume
to act. The spring elections in various
Maine cities impresses the Importance of
maintaining a strong party front. It is
to he regretted that at this time any de
parture should have been msde. without
explanation or excuse, from ,opg estab-
lished party custom. The move was
not one, in the opinion Of very many
good Republicans. calculated TO
strengthen the party. II. however, the
csucuses shall be conducted in such
manner as to place their results
above question, this error may be over
come and at splendid old-time victory
won at the polls.
Gold still continued TO go abroad,
Last week 81 100000 went to Crest