The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-02-03
FIRST NEW ENGLAND GUN.
And 1t Deems for Reed Of
Maine.
MASSACHUSETTS, REPUBLICANS
RED HOT FOR THE SPEAKER.

tin This Contest the Whole of New Eng
land Is But One State,' Say the Reso-
lutions. Intense Enthusiasm for the
Leader of the Republican Party.
Belmont, Mass. Feb. 1.-The Reed boom
IN New England was given rafting
sendof at the first Republican caucus of
the campaign in this state, held in this
town this evening. Despite the weather
the caucus was the largest and me- ost en-
thusiastic held here for many years. " 6
Among the voters at the caucus were
Col. E. G. Benton of the Republican
state committee, ex-Collector A. w.
Beard, Roland II. Boutwell, and other
leading lights of the Republican party in
this state.
Beside the enthusiasm manifested in
behalf Of Names favorite son, local pride
was also factor in bringing out the
large number Of voters, as Col K. C.
Benton is in the field as candidate for
delegate to the Republican national con-
vention, and his neighbors and friends
were on hand to elect delegates favorable
to him and to assure Mr.. Benton Of their
desire for his nomination
The caucus was presided over by
Joseph Fl. Cullis, chairman OF the Re-
publican town committee, Charles f.
Syndam was secretary.
Before the balloting started, Roland H.
Boutwell,, who had also been in the fold
as delegate to the national convention,
rose and in a graceful speech, announced
his withdrawal, and asked his friends for
their hearty support OF Col. E. G. Bon
ton.
The balloting resulted as follows:
Delegates to the Republican state con-
vention, Josiah S. Kendall, Everett G..
Benton, Thomas L. Greeley.
Delegates to the RepubIican congress
ional district convention, Joseph III. Culls,
Charles II. Yates, Frank Chandler.
hese delegates We're instructed to vote
for Everett 6. Benton as delegate to the
Republican national convention.
Following the balloting E. G. Benton
addressed the caucus and in strong and
for lille address advocated the claims of
Thomas B. Reed of Maine as candidate
for President Mr.. Benton spoke as fol-
lows:
This caucus is the beginning of the
Republican Presidential campaign in
Ma-saoh usetts.
We desire that the Republicans of the
state observe that over so par cent of the
entire Republican vote the town takes
interest enough IN political affairs to
attend this caucus. 1t is one of the ban-
ner Republican towns of the common.
wealth, as over 95 per cent of our entire
Republican vote comes to the polls on
election day, and over 90 per cent to the
primaries. This result is largely due, no
= - 4
headed by Mr. Joseph II. Cullis
wherever in locality there is man
in public life who is a success and credit
to himself and to the community, and is
fitted for an advanced office which his
friends wish him to occupy ne should
have the hearty and loyal support of
those in his vicinity.
New England has man who has
made and Ia now making grand success
in public affairs, and is the leader of
the Republican party. He is New Eng
lands favorite son, and the man for the
hour. Nominate him for President, and
he will lead the Republican party to
victory, and bring back to our country
that prosperity and progress which mark
ed its course from Lincoln to Harrison,
and he will carry forward and onward
the march Of advancing civilization"
At the conclusion of his speech Mr..
Benton offered resolu tions. which were
unanimously adopted, addresses second
ing them being made by Thomas 8.
Greeley, chairman of the selectmen; J.
Henry Fletcher, ex-Selcotman Josiah S.
Kendall, Selectman Joseph Q. Wellnig-
ton, Roland FL. Boutwell, and others.
The resolutions follows:
1.-THE Republicans of Belmont, assem-
oled in this the opening caucus of the
Massachusetts Presidential campaign.
take pleasure in availing themselves Of
this opportunity to give their cordial sup
port to New England's candidate for the
Presidency.
SIN thus indorsing the candi dacy of
the man from Maine, they know full
| well that they are voicing In formal
manner the opinions Of the Republicans
of New England, without regard to fac
Gion or state line.
''1n this contest the whole of New
England is but one state, ready to de-
mend of the Republican party of the
country, the nomination Of her fayorite
son, and the party's great leader as the
man best adapted to lead to certain and
brilliant victory.
''He is man who needs from us no
words of praise. His career is his euloey
He brings to the national convention a
wealth of experience breadth of
thought, brillianoy of intellect. cour-
age in action, and an integrity of purpose
which tt him above a II others for the
position of standard bearer of the party,
that believes now, as it has always be-
lieved, In freedom and purity alike of