The Portland daily press., 1900-01-03
Cambridge iIan Nominated on See.
ond Ballot.
Eleven Of Benefits Fol-
lowers Deserted.
Governor Elect Crane Will Be
Nominated Today.

Boston, January 2.-After . sharp and
vigorous campaign, beginning over
year ago, the speakership Of the lower
branch Of the Legislature Of 1900 Was de-
oided this afternoon BY the nomination
at the Republican caucus Of James J.
Myers of Cambi idge. Two ballots were
necessary before MIR. Myers received the
majority Of votss. for he was closely
pressed In the first ballot BY Frank p.
Bennett of sAugus, while Charles X.
Saunders Of Boston also seemed 30 be q
controlling factor. The vote on the SEQ
ond ballot va, Myers 81; Bennett, 55;
Saunders. "a.
while each Of the three candidates
during tina past four months especially
wagsd q strong fight for supremacy, the
two who were defeated came promptly
forward and rendered their BEST wishes to
the victor, Mr.. Bennett asking the
caucus to make Mr.. Myers' nomination
unanimous and Mr.. Saunders .seoondiug
the motion. each In appropriate and gen.
erous words. Mr.. Myers thanked them
as well as his owp supporters In his
remarks accepting the nomination. so
that the meeting broke up In perfect har-
mony.
The CAUCUS was conducted In Q most
excellent manner, without the slightest
friction, and mono Of the usual nominat-
ing speeches. The Australian ballot sys-
tenn was used, with printed ballots. regis.
teripg ballot box. booths and oheok listA
or the l66 Republicans elected TO the
House 1853 voted, the absentses being
Lieut.. Col. butler Aines OF Lowell. now
ON his way from Porto Rico. hspresenta-
tive Watson OF Lowell. who 10 III. and
Representative Collins Of Edgartown,
who was unsvoidably absent. Represa n
tstivs Charles II. Blood or Fitohburg,
who favored none Of the candidates. pre-.
sided. Represent tive Adams Of Aelross
seven conducted this ballotinR. this pre-
liminary business consuming scarcely
i've minutes. While the ballot was going
on. the various candidates circulated free.
ly about the room, chatting with their
supporters, but at the same time. having
an anxious eye on the voting booths. Ihe
result Of the first ballot was announced
about an hour after the caucus began and
showed Myers In the lead. the vote stand
ing, Myers, rs, Bennett, GO; Saunders, %,
and Turtle Of Pittstiled, l. A second
ballot was immediately ordered with the
Myers men confident aud the Bennett
men hopeful. while the supporters Of
Saunders claimed to hold the balance Of
power. The second and final ballot
proved to be Mr.. Benefits undoing, for
eleven Of his supporters changed their
vote to Myers so that tbs Cambridge
man won out by q narrow margin OF two
votes.
While keenly feeling his defeat after 80
many weeks OF tireless labor, Mr.. Ben
nett, nevertheless spoke calmly and In
generous words pledged his support TO the
successful candidate, and after thanking
his own supporters. moved the unani-
nous nomination OF Myers. Mr.. Saun-
dsrs, who seconded Mr.. Bennett's motion
was equally sincere In giving his support
and the vote which followed In loud
shout, was the echo Of the words OF the
two defeated aspirants for the nigh office.
Mr.. Myers words In accepting the nomi-
nation were fully as generous II not more
SO than those of his former opponents,
while he spoke feeliDgly Of the earnest
work OF his own men,
The caucus finished its work by nomi.
mating James w. Kimball of Lynn, D
Dem ,rat as clerk OF the house; John 8.
Ii. Adams of Lynn, sergeant alarms and
Rev. Daniel W. WaldIon OF Boston,
chaplain. Both branches Of this legisla-
ture will meet ton oTow when the men,
bers will be sworn In by Gov. wolcott
and will or ganixe. Mr.. Myers will prob
ably have no opponent as the Democrats
who number about one-third Of the total
mem bership have made no nomination.
The inaugural ceremonies OF Gov. Elect
Gran win take place tomorrow.