Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-14
DIRECTIONS FOR PROCEDURE UNDER
THE CAUCUS LAWS.

1898.
In accordance with suggestion made
at the late meeting of the State Central
Committee that proper legal opinion be
obtained as to the application of the
new caucus law to the holding of eau
cuses for the coming general election,
outside Of Milwaukee county, we are
advised by First Assistant Attorney
General J. L. Erdall, that the law, in
general elections, outside of Milwaukee
county md in the absence of vote to
adopt the same, is only applicable to
incorporated cities in Wisconsin, and
does not apply in any way to caucuses
held in towns and villages. The eau
cuses in the towns and villages will be
tofore.
1t is his opinion that the county COM
mittee shall act in all general elections,
having charge of all the details thereto
and in accordance with this ruling the
first duty Of the county committee will
be to appoint three electors in each
caucus district in each incorporated
city in the county (if it has not already
been done), who shall act as inspectors
of the caucus, as provided in section 5,
chapter 3l2, laws of 1897; and each
eleCtor SO appointed must, within ten
days from the time of his appointment,
file with the county clerk oath or affirm
alton as required by this section The
county committee may, at any time
prior TO the opening Of the caucus,
remove any inspector so appointed and
appoint another in his place who shall
qualify in like manner. In case any
inspector shall fail to appear at the time
fixed for opening such caucus, the in
spector or inspectors present, shall APP
point some elector, resident of the eau
Gus district in which such caucus is held
in the place of such absent inspector,
who shall administer to such person
the oath provided for in this act The
chairman, secretary and three inspec-
tors, shall be a canvassing board, who
shall faithfully, honestly, and correctly
canvass all votes cast at the caucus, and
in every way comply with the provis-
ions of this act
The caucus law of 1897 provides for
preliminary meetings to be held prior
to the holding of the caucuses, the OBJ
iect of such meetings being to propose
names of persons who may be voted
for at the caucuses to represent the eau
Gus district at the county convention, or
in case there is more than one assembly
district in the county, at the assembly
district convention.
The method of procedure in calling
and holding these preliminary meetings
is as follows: AS provided in section 6,
chapter 312, laws of 1897, the county
committee shall issue call for prelimi-
nary meetings of republican electors to
be held in each caucus district in every
incorporated city in the county four
days prior to the caucuses. At least ten
DAYS notice shall be given for the hold
ing of such preliminary meetings.
The chairman of the ward, or in the
absence of such chairman, caucus in
spector shall open the preliminary
meeting After the election of a chair
man and secretary of the preliminary
meeting, who by virtue of such election
shall also act as chairman and secretary
of the caucus, the chairman of said
meeting shall declare nominations open
for delegates to the county convention
Tor assembly district convention, in case
the county contains morei than one
assembly distrct) to elect delegates to
the state convention, as given in the
call of the county committee; where
upon nominations may be offered by
any republican elector present.
The county committee is also required
to furnish for each caucus district, blank
ballots of uniform size and color for the
use of the secretary of the preliminary.
AS the names of delegates are proposed
they shall be written upon the ballots
by the secretary and placed in ballot
box. The chairman, before entertain
ing motion "that nominations may be
closed" shall first put the question to
the meeting, repeating the same twice:
care there any further nominations"
Such action must be first taken and
every opportunity given electors to
propose names before motion to declare
nominations closed can be entertained
or voted upon by the meeting. The
nominations having been closed the
meeting shall elect two tellers, whose
duty it shall be to withdraw, one by
one, the ballots placed in the ballot box
| (after the same has been thoroughly
shaken), and the chairman and secre-
names proposed for delegates in the
order in which the same have been
withdrawn and announced by the tellers
to the county committee.
The chairman of the preliminary
meeting shall then read the call for the
caucus, stating the time and place OF
holding the same; that the caucus will
be open at four O'Clock D. m., and close
at eight O'Clock p. IN. (as required by
law. and the number of delegates 10 be
chosen; that the county committee will
have tickets printed for the caucus, con.
tanning all the names proposed, the
voter at the caucus to place (N) cross
after the name of each delegate voted
for. that 10 other hnt the Official ticket