The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-03-11
Democrats Invade Repub-
lican Primary.
ewing" Riley and Farrell
Higgins Much in Evidence.
Police Called on, But Refused to In
terfere- The Tickets.

3 last night "a very heavy vote was not
cast. There We're men enough, however,
in the hall over the evening school rooms
ON Smith street In fact a second or two
after the meeting they formed a ring of
roses all around the spacious room. One
familiar with Ward politics could soc in
"A minute that more than every other man
was Democrat On the ground ON which
the building stands in which last nights
meeting was held, there stood at one time
an old wooden school house and in that
structure We're held Democratic caucuses
before the Encouragement of the ward lines
that were considered u disgrace TO the
party in whose name they We're held. Free
speech on the right to vote except one
belonged TO the gang with the most
shoutcrs was unknown.
Tho caucus held last night was, owing TO
n disturbing element led by the men that
should know better, worse than any of the
ones held in the old building. Probably
never in a public meeting was worse
language used, nor more insults given by
rs disrcputabc gang as ever undertook
to interfere with duties of the utmost inn
portance TO the well being of the state.
Had it not been for the flrmness of the
chairman such noted individuals ms
Wing Riley and Farrell Higgins would
have controlled tho caucus.
Last years caucus was bad enough, but
this one was much worse A photographic
report of the proceedings would make even
some men, who have been honored by the
party in the ward in the past who aided
and urged tho gang" on, disguised.
There Were a number of policemen i'm
attendance but they took no part in the
proceedings; why they did not do so is
told below.
Promptly at s o'clock Benjamin +.
Worsley announced that he had been
scicctcd US chairman OF the CAUCUS and
would appoint G. william Sherman,
George Davis and George Harrall as
clerks.
Then the chairman called for nomina-
tions for the city convention. Former
Representative George w. Brown, who it
was known had been spending many
weeks trying to defeat the present efficient
ward committee, and Representative
Hobart l.. Gates, demanded the reading
of the Republican city committee rules
under which the caucus was held. He |
was supported in his request by Farrell |
Higgins, who, a few months ago, at |
tended a meeting, a private meeting, of |
Wanskuck Democrats to nominate Dem
,cratic councilman and has otherwise
become conspicuous.
Chairman Worsley said there was not
jime to read the rules. Mr.. Farrell Hig-
rims and Mr.. Brown kept up their demand
or the reading Of the rules. The voting
however began, and the announcement
vas made that the caucus was Republi-
AN one and only members of that party
would be permitted 20 cast ballot One
II the first men challenged was Edward
Farney 1t was claimed he was Demo
rat and he did not vote.
Just then Wing Riley appeared on
no scene and he remained very much
here until late in the caucus. Lieuten-
INT Murray, who had just arrived from
looleville, told him to be a little quieter.
The abuse that ewing" let drive at the
chairman ought to settle i'm the minds of
Ill who heard it, that one of the best
iatured fellows in the city is "Ben"
Norsley, the chairman of that caucus.
After small number had voted John
J. Mctiee, who was in the line between
he rail and tho box, offered his ballot.
It was refused because the chairman said
Mr.. McGee was a Democrat That gen
leman said ho voted for Mckinley. and
he next man that offered his ballot said
ne voted for Blaine. The chairman stuck
% his decision and former Asscmblyman
Brown, Wing" Riley and Timothy
sexton urged the two men To keep their
places, MIR. Brown called attention 10
hat portion of tho call for the Republi-
AN state convention, asking all voters
without regard TO past political aiiilia-
ions TO join in the election of delegates
% the convention.
c. William sherman said the question
was did the men Offering to vote pledge
themselves in good faith TO support the
nominations Of the state and city conven-
ion. He claimed the many Democrats at
Inc caucus would not so do.
There was more confusion and the
'olice were called on to remove Mr..
MCGEE from the box, but they refused TO
% do, and ewing, Higgins and Brown
md their friends cheered. The chairman
vas firm. Mr.. MCGEE did not prove very
good full back so a few men got past him.
Then his Blaine friend, one Mr.. Mullen.
1raced up against him and the few others
who voted hard TO climb over wing
Ind his confederate's shoulders.
Then the gang" under wings" lead
'rship began calling for the chief Of police
md the high sheriff. Bluffs did not work
'n the chairman and he refused 20 take
McGce's ballot at the dictation of the
gang" John Nelson finally took
Browns place and he held conference
With tho chairman, but the latter did nut
'ulge. The gang referred 20 the past Of
Jr. Nelson, but John did not get mad.
well known Democrat said he would
tay all night and Mr. Brown did some
old taking Mr. Mcf,oe dfa NOT v,.,.. GA |