The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-01-24
INTERNAL
WARFARE.
Break in Ranks of Bay
State Democracy.
THE STATE COMMITTEE.
A Williams Follower Lays Claim TO
the Ch irmanshlp.
CALLAHAN GIVES HIS VIEWS.

Springfield, Mass. Jan 24-Chairman
c. j. Callahan of Holyoke. when inter-
viewed by Republican representative
regarding the differences in the Demo-
cratic state committee, submitted an
official statement to the party as fol-
lows:
To the Democrats of Massachusetts
The attempt now being made by ma
nority OF the state committee 10 divide
the Democracy by refusing to recognize
the organization effected Jan. S, 1898, and
by endeavoring to depose the legally
elected officers Of the committee, has cre-
rated a situation which, IL seems to me,
justifies me as chairman Of the state
committee in defining the position OF the
regular organization.
on Jan. 3, at II m. in the American
House, the time and place appointed, the
committeeman favoring the candidates.
OF Mr.. McNary, Mr.. Lewis and myself
assembled for the single purpose Of or
ganizing the committee in compliance
with requirements Of the statutes of the
commonwealth We firmly hold that the
right and duty Of the new committee as
fixed by the statutes can in no way be
affected or altered by the rules OF any
former committee; but. so far as /
know, no one at that time dreamed OF
objecting to the opening of the meeting
by DR.. Coughlin, the retiring chairman.
We patiently remained in the room
awaiting the call 10 order, ready and
willing 10 make a test OF strength and TO
abide by the result. The opposition re-
fused 10 attend the meeting, remaining
In the corridors OF the hotel until few
minutes before l O'Clock. At that time,
having a majority of members in the
room and deeming ii wise not to permit
the hour TO elapse. we proceeded 10 or
ganize. being called TO order by Daniel
IL. Crowley. a member-elect and vice
president OF the old committee. The gem
tlemen who are now seeking TO over
throw the organization focked into the
room. Mr.. Lee was denied admission
for the reasons that the committee was
performing it's duty OF organizatic and
that, as ne was not a member of the
committee, he had no legal right TO par
ucipate in the proceedings. Mr.. Crow
ley presided with eminent fairness.
Let the Democrats of this state keep
well In mind the undlsputed facts that
no member of the committee without
exception, who presented him-elf at the
door, was refused admittance that the
opposition took very active and prom
inent part in the proceedings: that Mr.
Crowley put to the meeting a motion
made by one of their number that Mr..
Coakley be secretary pro tenn; that Mr..
Crowley's decision that the motion was
lost being doubted by the minority.
thereupon Mr.. Crowley had the vote
taken by rollcall: that there was no one
but members in the room. and that the
result OF the rollcal was II ayes. "a nays.
with four not voting that / was then
nominated for chairman. and that the
gentlemen who favored the candidacy
of Dr. Cooke refused TO exercise their
right TO vote. withdrawing from the
meeting after my election.
In my opinion the meeting and pro-
ceedings were in strict accordance with
law. but without discussing the legal
phase of the situation, Il seems TO me to
be fair contention that IL is incumbent
upon the minority, having had the op-
portunity TO vote for their candidates
and not having been denied one right, 10
point out wherein they suffered any
harm, and to explain why after the un-
disputed defeat of the motion that Mr..
Coakley serve as temporary secretary
the" refused 10 make a test OF strength
upon the question OF the chairmanship.
Their contention that they represent a
majority OF the committee is sufficiently
answered by their failure 10 secure the
presence OF a majority at their adjourned
meeting Saturday.
Being duly elected chairman, I deem
II 10 he my duty TO the Democracy Of
the state To discharge the duties Of that
Office until deposed by majority OF the
committee TO whose wiI legally ex-
pressed, I stand at all times ready TO
submit. But let II be clearly understood
that the submission for signature OF any
writing 10 the members Of the commit
tee affecting the chairmanship is done
without my consent and is no way tustI-
fed by the attitude I have taken or any
statement j have made. and I an
peal 10 members or the Democratic state
committee TO cease this destructive in
ternal warfare and TO join hands with
me In determined effort TO build upand
strengthen the Democracy OF Massachu-
setts for the stern battle to be- fought
this fall for the advancement OF th. great
principles ~ Democracy proclaimed al
Chicago in 1896.