The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-03-25
An Exciting Time Before the House
Judiciary Committee.
FRANK FlTzSlMMONS SPEAKS.
A Partisan Explanation of n Partisan
Trick--Notary Murphy Makes DANA
ging Admission-Sir. Spencer Didn't
Know He Was shelved.


speaker was Frank Fitzsimmons, who de-
tailed the method whereby the legislative
convention caucuses were held and the re-
suits OF the convention.
Mr.. Spencer was nominated for the
House, but told the committee who called
on him that he desired some other man
would take his place on the ticket. That
was taken as a declination on his part,
and the name of John +. Gobeille was
therefore substituted.
tion paper had been made up and signed
and that another was substituted with
Mr. Gobeille's name upon IL. No paper
was made out at the time alleged, for none
had been received from the Office of the
secretary OF State.
When paper was secured word was
sent to the secretary of the convention TO
meet the committee at o'clock at noon !;
but he was on tine road as salesman;
hence the nomination paper hal to be pre-
sented without the clerks signature.
Mr.. Fitzsimmons maintained that the
committee filled the vacancy in "a proper
manner, aud that inasmuch as Mr.. Spen-
GERS name had never been sent to the sec
retary of state, he could not communicate
with Secretary Utter, Withdrawing his
name.
Mr.. FitZsimmons read the law, but
added that the committee in filing out
the ticket as they did acted according to
law He wished however, to inform the
committee that there was no desire to IL
legally force the name OF Mr.. Gobeille
upon the nomination paper. The reason
that Mr.. Gobeille's name was used was
that Gubeille had the next highest num-
Der of ballots in the caucus under Mr..
Spencer.
James F. Murphy. the notary before
whom the affidavit was made, admitted
that he certified that Clerk Reilly per
oath TO the same" but that Reilly wasn't
there, and did not make an affidavit be-
fore him, and furthermore that he did
not see Reilly all that day.
He was hunting for Reilly 20 take his
affidavit, but Mr.. FitZsinmons had the
nomination paper with him. He was
rather non-plussed when Mr.. Allen of the
committee asked him how he proposed,
even If he found Mr.. Reilly az Pawtucket,
to have him swear to the return when
Fitzsimmons was in Providence.
He did not read through the affidavit,
but Mr.. Fitzsimmons told him it was all
right.
To an inquiry by Mr.. Lowe of the COM
mittee, Mr.. Murphy said that the affidavit
was in the handwriting OF Mr. Fitzsim-
mons. Mr.. Murphy did not see Mr.. Reilly
from the night OF the convention until the
day after the nomination was tled with
the Secretary of State
NJ. j. Riley, the clerk, informed the
committee that he had been selected as
first venture in politics, aud he was not
posted in the details Of q convention. He
did all that he supposed he was called
upon to do. Then he explained how he
was called away by business affairs. and
why it was the committee OF the Lincoln
could not find him. He received notice
that Messrs. Quigiey, Fftzsimmons and
Murphy were looking for him. He en-
deavored to meet them, but failed to con-
meet.
He denied signing any paper, was in
structed to sign no paper and did not
know that any such duty devolved upon
him.
Mr.. Wilson wanted TO know how IL was
that Mr.. Fitzsimmons claimed that he
had made an arrangement TO meet Mr..
Reilly at l o'clock on the day after the
convention.
Mr. Reilly declared that that was where
he differed with Mr.. Fitzsimmons. He
mad received no such message. There
were two clerks at the convention, but
why he could not say. Probably one was
to act IL the other could not be reached.
The other secretary did no part of the
clerical work of the convention, however.
Mr.. Riley read the minutes of the con-
vention as he wrote them out that night.
The adjournment, "sine die, " was record
ed by him. Now he was sure that the ad-
journment was not ''sine die" This
raised quite laugh at Mr.. Rieley's ex-
pense.
After the adjournment of the conven-
tion the committee OF seven met and ap-
pointed subcommittee to wait on the
nominees.
C. +. Spencer addressed the committee
and said that he did not tell the commit
tee waiting on him that he would not ac-
cept tue nomination. He told the COM
mittee that his business ENGAGEMENTS
were such that he would much prefer that
some other man could be selected. Still,
he did not decline.
Mr.. Fitzsimmons catechised Mr.. Spen-
Ger quite sharply, putting leading ques-
tions which could be answered with
yes" or mo" aud which would bring
out the impression that he, Fitzsimmons,
had acted in good faith.
In reply TO question from Mr.. Allen Of
the committee, Mr.. Fitzsimmons said that
after Mr.. Spencer's name had been
dropped he, Spencer, was not acquainted
with the fact that Gobeille was TO be nom-
mated in his stead.
IL was true that there were two secre-
taries, Mr.. Mann being one of them, but
Mr.. Mann's Office was purely honorary,
aud moro ornamental than useful. When
Mr.. Riley could not he found no attempt
was made to find Mr. Mann, as for that
reason II was not thought that Mr.. Mann
could legally act.
Mr.. Murphy explained that Mr.. Riley
was not at dance, as il was Lent; still,
knowing that Mr.. Riley was n musician.
he was looked for in dance hall, and
that was how the dance story got bruited
about.
j. L. Quiglcy explained how hard he
ran around after Mr.. Rilev. but said that
he did not feel that the committee had
been lax in not giving Clerk Mann a
chance 10 sign the nomination paper.
Representative Walker wanted TO know
whether tue sub-committees all met sub
sequently, and as n committee OF the
whole filled the vacancy.
Mr.. Fitzsimmons said that the commit
tee oil ten did rot so meet, but that the
subcommittee of four acted.
Mr.. Wilson wanted TO know why 10 was
that the third and fourth representatives,
as given on the nomination papers, were
transposed rs recorded.
Mr.. Fitzsiinmous said that he thought
the clerk had made an error.
Mr.. Riley said that he was sure that he
had not been called upon TO record that
the COMMITTEES Of ten were 70 be author
lied 70 make up the ticket. He couldn't
remember that the representations were