The Somerset reporter., 1900-05-31
ONE THOUSAND VOTES.
The Biggest Republican Caucus
In the History Of SkOwhegan


|
very large affair. Republicans were all
on hand Saturday afternoon, at Coburn
| Hall to attend the caucus, called to nomi-
nate candidate for representative to
the Legislature. and elect delegates 10 at
tend the County and State conventions.
The greatest interest ceutered 10 the
nomination of the candidate for repre-
sentative. The contest had been an
earnest one between Edward N. Merrill,
Ed, who represented the town 10 the
House 10 1889, and Mr.. Ed. z. Page,
treasurer Of Skowhegan Savings Bank
The case had been worked up each side,
probably more thoroughly than any
political issue between candidates before
in the history of the town.
The caucus was called to order by w
H. Wildes, chairman of the Republican
town committee, George W. Cover,
Esq, was elected chairman and Joseph
o. Smith, secretary.
On motion of Forrest Goodwin, Esq,
the chair was authorized to appoint a
committee In accordance with an agree
ment, signed by candidates Page and
Merrill, as follows: "George w. Cover,
chairman, TO receive, sort and count the
votes under the supervision of Charles A.
Marston, j. 2. Oak, w. II. Wildes, l.. A.
Dascomb and f. F. Danforth, the last
named five to constitute a committee on
qualification of voters" These gentle
men were appointed by the chair in &c.
cordance with the agreement and the
action was approved by vote of the
caucus.
The above named committee agreed
upon the following rules to apply to
persons whose right to vote might be
challenged: O No person under
twenty.one years of age shall be allowed
to vote. ~ No person shall be allow
ed to vote unless he states, If inquired
of, that he intends to vote for at least IA
majority of all the Republican nominees
at the next September election. These
rules were submitted TO the caucus and
adopted.
E. N. Merrill, Esq, submitted an in
quiry whether any foreigner, unnatural
lied, would have right to vote in a
caucus, and the committee replied
through the chair that such person
would have no right to vote.
The chair called for votes for candi-
dates for representative to the legisla-
ture, and the ballots were received by
the chair, assisted by Messrs. Marston
and Wildes of the committee of five.
Messrs. Oak, Dascomb and Danforth OF
said committee heard and decided the
challenged cases.
Voting began at 2.20 o'clock, was con.
cluded at 3 30 and was not announced
until after 4 o'clock as the arrangement
entered into required Chairman Cover
to count the votes In the presence of the
committee of five but without their aid
The result of the balloting was
Whole number of votes thrown, Loo
Necessary for choice, sol
Edward n. Merrill, received 34t
Edward z. Page, 65l
Mr.. Page was declared the Republic
can nominee tor representative to tn,
legislature for Skowhegan.
On motion of E. N. Merrill, Esq, the
nomination of Mr.. Page was made
unanimous.
Mr.. Page, the nominee, briefly thanked
his friends for their earnest ana gener
Gus support, aud those who opposed hi,
nomination for fair and honorable op
position.
The next business in order being tn,
election of delegates to attend the Re
publican County convention, Col. A. 6
Blunt moved that nominations of dele
gates be made from the floor. Thi.
proposition was opposed by Hon. S. J
Walton, who presented list of 16 dele
gates, whom, he said. were acceptable tt
all the Skowhegan men who were to bt
candidates before the county convention
also by Forrest Goodwin, Esq, and L
l.. Walton, Esq. E. N. Merrill, Esq.
Col. Blunt, Hon. C. A. Marston and j
w. Bluut favored the nominations from
the fl ,or. A division OF the house OF
this question showed 95 in favor of tn,
motion and ll9 opposed, and the motion
was lost. The delegates TO tht
County convention on the list presented
by Hon. S. J. Walton, we're elected, al
follows: K. z. Viles, w. IL. Wildes
Ed. z. Page, Lewis Anderson, Georg'
b. Sfiord, Ansel Holway, Fred H
Wing, Wallace Ireland, l.. A. Dascomb
A. E. Geliuas, Isaac Dyer, Chas. H
Gardner, Augustus Glblair, John Yves
ton, David W. Lewis, r. l.. Mitchell.
Delegates to the Republican State con
vention were elected, on nomination
from the floor, as follows:
A. g. Blunt, E. n. Merrill, Forres
Goodwin, +. p. Viles, r. B. Shepherd
s. J. Walton, Il. L. Patten, John Weston
J. Il. Thibedeau, F. P. Pennell, Nathan
Fowler.
On motion of l.. l.. Walton, delegates
were authorized to fill any vacancies tina
may occur In the delegations to Stat,
and County conventions.
The Republican town committee al
Dresent serving. WAS. on motion OF For