The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-21
THE NEWS. PROVIDENCE. r. L.. TUESDAY MAY 81. 1895
CRANSTON'S LIVELY CAUCUS.
A Record Breaker In the Way OF
Noise and Size.

Noise and Size.
There have been caucuses held In the
town of Cranston in years gone by, that
have been unequaled in the history OF
caucuses, but the one held in the town
hall yesterday afternoon will 60 down in
the town annals as the largest and noisiest
ever held within the memory OF the
oldest inhabitants. The call that was
issued stated that the Republicans
Of the town would meet
to nominate town officers TO be voted for
the first Monday in June. But when
Chairman Phineas A. Conley, Of The town
committee, called the gathering to order
at 4 o'clock, nearly every eligible elector
in town, repr,sen nting all shades of poll
tics, was present, The fun started when
nominations for chairman were called for,
Joseph A. Latham presenting the
name of Phineas A. Conley,
and William Ross that OF Leroy
Whitman. Mr.. Sanders of Auburn ques-
toned the right of Mr.. Ross TO nominate
Mr.. Whitman, as he, Whitman, was
Democrat. After considerable discus
sion the nomination was allowed TO stand
and the body proceeded to ballot. 1t was
announced by the chairman pro tenn. that
1t was Republican caucus and that no
gentleman Democrat would vote. This
was received with shouts OF derision, and
the balloting continued, Democrats as
we'll as Republicans depositing their votes
without protest. Messrs Latham end
Ross were appointed tellers and an
nounced the total vote as 3f3, of which
Mr.. Conley received 230 and Mr.. Whitman
123. Mr.. Ross, leader OF the opposition,
claimed that this vote was not test vote
by any means, as they cared nothing for
the chairmsnship, but all subsequent
votes proved that the first ballot was
practically the decisive one, as the entire
ticket named by the committee, with but
one exception, was victorious by a large
majority. After the selection of the
chairman, Mr.. Andrew Winsor was
elected clerk, without opposition. The
chairman then called for nominations for
memb bers OF the Town Council. Mr.. Ross,
for the opposition, moved that the Coun-
Gil nominations be made and voted on
separately. Mr.. Sanders moved as an
amendment that they be nominated and
voted for collectively.
The amendment was carried, and Mr..
Sanders nominated the following ticket:
Sylvester K. Merrill, Frederick I. An
drews, George A. Field, Frank L. Bud
long, John M. Dean, William IL. Patt,
Arthur f. Austin-all OF whom are serv-
ing as town councillors at the present
time. MIR. Ross, for the c pposltion, an
nounced that they would indorse the can
didacy OF Merrill, Anderson, Patt and
Austin, but they would oppose Field,
Budlong and Dean, and he nominated
William F. Cutting in place OF George A.
Field, Walter F. Brayton In place OF
Frank l.. Budlong, and William II.
Fennor in place OF John M.
Dean. Mr.. Brayton announced that he
would not allow the use OF his name and
wanted it withdrawn. Mr.. Ross then
substituted the name OF DIR. Martin j.
Simmons. Balloting was again INDUCED
in and for 20 minutes the hall was the
scene of the widest confusion, the chair
man cautioning Democrats against voting
and some of the leaders of that party urg-
ing their followers TO vote against Budlong
Dean and Field. At the close it was found
that the regulars were again victorious,
and the ticket nominated by Mr.. Sanders
was declared elected, the vote standing
25S for, and 11S against. There was a
short respite at this time, and nomina-
tions for town clerk, town treasurer, and
town sergeant were made. There was no
opposition, and the present incumbents
were nominated. For assessor of taxes
Harley W. Hopkins of Oak Lawn was
nominated.
The quiet that prevailed while the
officers were being nominated made the
gathering very restless, so that when nom
nations for school committeeman were
called for they agreed to again disagree,
with the result that for the first time the
check list was brought into use. The
only crumb Of comfort afforded the oppo-
sition was when Mr.. Ross succeeded in
defeating Albert G. Rider as fourth MEM
Der OF the committee for one year by q
vote of 17S for Ross, and 125 for Rider.
William Dutemple of Auburn and Rob- |
ert e. Budlong OF Edgewood were NOM
mated as committeeman for three years,
without opposition. Mr.. Dutemple Is |
already q member. Mr.. Budlong is named |
Is successor to Joseph A. Latham, who |
had been q member of the committee for
l5 years, and declined to serve another
term.
For the third member OF the committee,
Arthur +. Reeve, OF Auburn, at present q
member OF the committee, was placed
before the caucus by Mr.. Latham. Mr..
3igelow OF Pawtuxet placed the name of
DR.. Daniel s. Latham OF Auburn in oppo-
ition. The check list was used and the re-
ult OF the balloting showed 12S votes cast
or DR.. Latham, and 109 for Mr.. Reeve.
This closed the business Of the caucus,
md after giving the town committee au-
hority to fill vacancies, the assem- bage
Toted to adjourn after having been In
ession three hours.
/