The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-02-02
Lieut.. Gov. Kimball and RepreSen.
tative EaSton We're Speakers Be-
fore Business Men'SASSOciatiOn

At the monthly meeting OF the Rhode
last evening the topic discussed was:
'"rhe Caucus Law in Purpose and in
. Practice" The speakers were Lieut.. Gov
Charles Dean Kimball and Representa-
tive Frank T. Easton OF Providence.
Lieut.. Gov. Kimbat said in part: Pre-
vious 10 the adoption of the Australian
ballot system anybody could have ballots
printed and have on them any names he
desired. The law put an end TO some of
the evils which prevailed previous TO Its
adoption.
ut was charged some time ago that
man was elected in this state BY the SUBJ
stitution of his name on the ballot Tor
the name OF The man who WAS really
nominated.
Before the ballot law wentsin effect,
unless voter was perfectly 'sure who
was nominated he couldn't be sure that
he was voting for the nominees of his
party.
HOW ACT WAS DRAWN
Under the caucus law, to be elected 1t
Is virtually necessary that a candidate
be nominated by one OF the great poliu-
cal parties.
The provision for nomination papers
was here described and the filing of GER
tificates OF nomination.
lt was remarked that the question had
sometimes arisen as TO who had the
right to make such certificates case
which arose in Pawtucket being cited I'm
Illustration.
Now the caucus law simply refers to
the city Of Providence. the city OF Paw
tucket and ,ne city of Newport.
'"rhc reason for this was that when the
act was 0rst drawn II was patterned af-
ter the Massachusetts law. to apply to
towns which asked for It. and was never
passed, because. principally, II contained
a provision requiring the use OF the Aus
tralian ballot at caucuses.
Later IL was agreed by the leaders of
the Republican and Democratic parties
that there should be a caucus act passed
to apply TO Providence and Pawtucket.
LEFT TO CITY COMMITTEES.
'"rhe act was passed at the January
session. 1889. aud afterward came a petit
tion from Newport in accordance with
which special act was passed that the
provisions of the caucus law should APP
ply 10 In city OF Newport.
In towns where there is no caucus act
there are no rules for the government OF
caucuses and most amazing things have
occurred
The speaker remarked that under the
provisions OF the caucus law none of
these things could have taken place, be-
cause OF .he provisions which require the
use OF ballots ana check lists, which pro-
vide for ne polls being kept open at
least two hours. and the elaborate pro-
vision, 80 that there can he no question
as 10 who should he chairman.
In conclusion Lieut.. Gov. klmhall said
Another point which ] might speak
about Is the intention OF the law 70 keep
out from the caucus of one party men
belonging in another party. In drawing
the lew We considered this point careful
Is and in effect left IL "a the city COM
mittee 10 make such rules as they should
zee nj"
REMARKS BY Mr.. EAsTON.
Mr.. Easton spoke substantially as fol-
lows: "'rhe caucus act practically incOr-
poratcs political parties By IL their
powers are largely limited. their duties
are prescribed. their machinery set forth
and much of their workings are estab-
lished by law and surrounded by safe
guards They are not the same as bust
moss corpora tions, bat substantially with
similar limitations.
..The purpose OF tfe law Is. of course,
10 secure a more general expression OF
the opinion OF the voters. u II impossi-
ble 10 legiSiute people lnto belhg goou' nut
! believe. on the whole. Tint the act can
be said TO have worked we'll
You should remember. gentlemen. that
the law is only about year and a half
old. and II must naturally for 4 time be
experimental
II offers a convenient vehicle whereby
we can obtain better caucuses and better
officers. 40 encourages attendance at
cauCuses \ citizen can no now ard cast
Ii. Il NOT 40 fftHr ftss
minutes. II has ns the lieutenant gov
ernor said. furnished q legal test Of tho
validity " nominations.
CAUCUsEs STILL PACKED
"Caueuses are now, on the whole, ex-