The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-27
TO REFORM
CAUCUS LAW
Act introduced Into the House
Of Representatives Today.
AIMED AT WARD COMMITTEES.
Puts Burden Of Issuing Ballots tor PrI-
marIes on the Board Of Canvassers
and Registration.
AIMED At WARD COMMITTEES.

In the house or representatives today
Judge Harris Of Burrillville introduced
at the request OF the Sixth Ward Repub-
lican club OF this city a very important
act bearing on the caucus law. in which
certain fundamental changes are incor-
porated.
The principal provisions of the act Is
the preparing of ballots for the primaries
as II calls for the ballots to be prepared
by the board OF csnvassers and registra
ton. and that 20 legally qualified voters
of any ward may fle nominations with
the board of canvassers and registration
and that the name Of such nominees may
go on the official caucus ballot
The text of the act is as follows:
An act to regulate the nominations OF
candidates for office and delegates to
party conventions at the party primaries
In the city OF Providence.
Sec 1. Notices OF all caucuses shall be
published twice successfully IN one or
more of the daily papers published in the
city of Providence. the last publicat ation to
be not less than 20 days prior to the day
on which such caucuses are 10 be held
Such notices shall state the time, when
and place where caucus nomination
papers must be filed. and the day and
time OF day when said caucus will be
held. Not less than one week shall be
allowed voters In which TO make up and
file such papers: the date OF such filing
shall be not less than eight days before
the day fixed for the caucus
Sec. 2. The board of canvassers and
registration, at the expense OF the city,
shall prepare for each political party a
sufficient number of blank caucus nomi-
nation papers, for use In the respective
wards; such papers shall state the time
and place when and where such papers,
duly made up and signed. shall be filed ;
said papers shall be addressed 10 said
board OF canvassers and registration, and
shall request said board TO place the
names OF the candidates therein named
with the respective Office or position for
which they are respectively selected.
upon the caucus ballot which said board
shall prepare as hereinafter provided; /;
such papers shall be delivered to voters
OF the respective parties upon application
therefor; but only one such paper shall be
given 10 the same voter for any one eau
Gus. except upon surrender OF the one
previously received, and ballots so sur
rendered shall be destroyed by said board.
NOMINATION PAPERS.
sec. IS. Wnen "A voter makes dppllCd-
tion to said board of canvassers and reg
istration for caucus nomination paper
he shall state to said board the office OF
offices for which he desires TO nominate
candidates, and II less than the whole
number OF candidates TO be chosen py The
caucus TO which said application relates
said board shall indicate upon said blank
the office or offices for which the appli-
cant desires TO select candidates, ana
erase the blank as TO all other Offices end
positions upon the ballot.
When the nominations shall have beer
completed and the candidates so selected
have accepted said nominations In wit
ing upon said paper. thin said paper shal
be signed by at least 30 legal Voters
qualified TO vote for such candidates. and
a member If the political party fer trs
use OF whiSi said blank has been pre-
pared.
And when said papers are so CON
pleted. they shah be filed with tie
board Of canvassers and registration with
i'm the specified time.
No such caucus nomination Ieper shai
be valid unless accompanied by the ac-
ceptance OF the nomination by every can
didate therein named.
Sec. A. Caucus nomination papers In
addition TO the names of candidates
shall give the street and number. III any
of their residence. and may further. Il
not more than 10 words. give any infor'
nation whereby his political position may
be defined
Sec. 8, All caucus nomination papers
prepared as herenbefore provided. re-
turned to said board Of canvassers snc
registra tion within the time appointed
shall be sealed and filed in the ofhct
Of said board. The person receiving TN
same shall note thereon tho time wher
received and the person by whom re-
ceived. They shall not be opened untl
the expiration of the time for fiiing. wher
said board shall publicly open said pack
ages and place said papers on nle. ~
when so filed said papers shall be ol ~
to public inspection.
Sec s. The board OF canvass - and
registration shall Immediately ri y no
tice to the person fling said caucus ION