The Worcester spy., 1901-11-21
City Solicitor Rugg Rules the Re-
publican Voters of Ward Three
Acted Within Their Rights in
Taking a Recess
ENOUGH BALLOTS WILL
BE ON HAND TONIGHT
Frank |. Dean Suggested As a
Candidate for Mayor Upon
Whom the Republicans Can
Unite-He Would Accept It
rendered the Nomination

The mix-up in the Republican caucus
of Ward three caused by the shortage
of ballots Tuesday night was the chief
topic of conversation in political cir
cles yesterday and the matter was ds-
cussed from several different View
points. Some of the Democrats claimed
that the delegates elected by the cau-
Gus, no matter who they might be.
could not take seats in the Republic
can municipal convention without maxi
ing that convention Illegal because the
law states that no convention for the
nomination of state or city officers
shall be called within four days or
holding the caucuses. The ward three
caucus will not be finished until to-
night and as the Republican munich
pal convention is called for Saturday,
the claim Is made that the intervening
time is not four days and so the Ward
three men will be shut out.
This argument does not hold water
according to the legal opinion of many
of the leading lawyers Of the city and
City Solicitor Arthur p. Rugg is au-
thority for the statement that the
voters Of Ward three did what they had
a right to do in adjourning the caucus
until tonight under the circumstances.
In a letter to City Clerk u. II. Towne
who asked for an opinion as to his au-
thority 10 have more ballots printed
for tonight. Mr.. Rugg writes:
1T is a general principle Of election
law that everybody who seasonably
avails himself Of the privilege Of voting
shall be given full and free opportu-
nifty Of expressing his win by balloting.
In view of this general principle.
think the caucus did what 1t had
legal right to do in making the ad-
journment and that 1t become your du-
ty to furnish such additional number
of ballots as may be requested by the
proper officers Of the political party,
as this Is the only way in which a
full and complete caucus of the voters
of Ward three can be held"
The argument Is further made that
the caucus had a right to adjourn to
any time ii saw fit. The law stipulateS
the time when a caucus shall be called,
but it says nothing about when 1t shall
be closed. and on this ground 1t Is
claimed there is nothing Illegal in hold
ing the caucus over until tonight. If
the law is lived up to strictly, there are
many times when delegations could
not have seats in conventions and there
are two other instances this week at
least. The Ward four Democratic
caucus called for Monday night did not
adjourn until 2 o'clock Tuesday morn
ing and the Ward six Republican eau
Gus called for Tuesday night did not
adjourn until after midnight yesterday
morning. In both instances the eau
cuses ran over into another day and
the conventions following them are
not four days later.
Under the circumstances, the voters
of Ward three are safe enough in hold
ing their caucus tonight, and it Is not
lraI4r fI,Ut Ion h.
right of the delegation elected TO sit
in the municipal convention.
The caucus will begin tonight at
o'clock, where it left off Tuesday night.
with sos ballots cast Chairman Daniel
e. Aver of the Republican City Com
mittee is willing to take the blame for
the mess, but he did what he thought
was right and which. under ordinary
circumstances, would be all right. He
ordered 500 ballots, which is 200 more
than was ever cast in a Republican
caucus in Ward three. He realized
there was a lively fight on but had
no idea such a large vote would be
polled. When the supply Of ballots
gave out Tuesday night, the caucus
had cast within SO votes Of the number
cast for governor in the state election
and there were many more voters in
line to vote. In order that there Will
be no chance of the ballots giving out
tonight, Mr.. Aver has asked City Clerk
Towne to have printed 500 more.
The mixup was the cause Of special
meeting of the Republican City Com
mittee last night to take action on
request from E. P. Crerie. the Lake
View candidate for alderman, for per-
mission to inspect the enrolled list OF
voters used at the caucus. The official
list sent from the city clerks office is
sealed up at Station l, but in addition
to this list the city committees en-
rolled list was also used to keep a
record Of those who voted at the eau
Gus. This list was brought back to
Republican headquarters and placed
under seal. Mr. Crerie wanted to look
at this list, but Edward d. Cunning
ham. the other candidate. objected.
Chairman Aver called a special meet
ing Of the committee to consider the
request Of Mr.. Crerie. and. after talking