Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1900-04-13
REPUBLICAN CAUCUS LAST NIGHT

Spirited Discussion over a Resolution
In Regard 10 the Future status OF the
Philippines - Delegates Elected to
District and state Conventions.
Thirty to 80 Republicans we're at the
town hall last night to attend the caucus
called for the purpose Of electing IL dele
gates to the district convention to be held
at Montpelier April II, and the same num-
Der TO the state convention at Burlington
the following day. These two conventions
will choose delegates to the Republican
national convention.
The meeting was called to order by Geo.
w. Pierce, chairman of the Republican
town committee, who was elected chair
man. G. II. Thompson was chosen sec
rotary
c. G. Fits promptly introduced the fol-
lowing resolution:
Whereas, Novel and momentous questions have
arisen since the last national convention Of the
Republican party.
And whereas We believe it the right and duty
OF ne Individual Republican to express his view
concerning these ques tions at the only time and
place he can directly speak
Therefore, We the Republicans Of Brattle.
boro, In caucus assembled do,
Resolve, We heartily approve the course Of the
ADMINISTRATION IN It's effort and its purpose to
tablish and maintain order IN the Philippines
We believe the first and principal consideration
IS the welfare Of these people: That we should
provide for them the government for which they
are most suited, granting them from time to time
the largest measure OF self government Of which
they are capable: and ultimately when they shall
have become competent TO do so, permit them 10
decide Tor themselyes what their status shall be,
whether a dependency of ours or a Nation by
themselves, and let us protect and support them
10 the decision they shall make.
This precipitated a lively half hours
discussion. G. F. Thompson and L. w.
Hawley supported Mr.. Ftts's resolution
j. l.. Martin did not agree with it fully,
neither did Col. Haskins, S. b. Emerson
wanted more light on the subject, Col.
Taylor didn't see the necessity of any reso-
lutions at this time, Mr.. Martin was in
favor of an amendment, ETC., etc. Mr..
Fits then spoke effectively at some length,
saying that the resolution compromised no
one, that 1t endorsed the administration as
far as II had gone and contended for prin-
ciples older than the Republican party,
that 1t was only against those who argued
solely on the ground of commercialism
Mr. Fits expressed the idea that the
primaries were the only place where voters
could make themselves heard, and that the
resolution was not plank of the Republi-
can party, as some of his opponents had
commended, but simply local expression of
sentiment. Col. Raskins and l.. D. Tay-
Tor spoke against any action which might
furnish ammunition to the Democrats IN
the future.
When the aye and nay vote on Mr..
Martins amendment was taken the amend
ment was declared lost, and Mr.. Fitts's
resolution was declared adopted. There
were some animated demands for rising
vote, but the chairman held that the oues-
ton had been decided
On motion Of Mr. Fits that a committee
of three be appointed by the chair to Sc
lect delegates to the two conventions, Mr..
Fits, j. l.. Martin and w. H. Bracket
were named. They reported the following
delegates, who were chosen:
Delegates to district conventional.
j. Estey, Geo. w. Hooker, d. p Webster,
Geo. w. Pierce, w. f. Hubbard, c. o.
Robbins, W. II. Vinton, C. r. Crosby, Z.
w. Gibson, c. H. Thompson, c. D. Whit
man, c. S. Hopkins.
Delegates TO state conventional. D.
Holton, j. g. Estey, o. T. Ware, II. E.
Taylor, H. G. Barber, r. f. Gordon, A.
f. Schwenk, n. S. Ransom, John C.
Dewitt, F. W. Keuch, j. L. Stockwell, C.
L. Stickney.
On motion of Mr.. Fits the delegates
themselves were authorized to fill any va
cancies in the delegation.