The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-05-07
BAKER SUSTA|NS
CITY COMMITTEE
Assistant City Solicitor Advises City Auditor That
He May Approve Bill for Caucuses Called by
Democratic City Committee, But in His Review
of The Law Appears to Uphold the Principal
Contentious of the State Organization.

Assistant City Solicitor Baker TODAY
handed TO the board OF canvassers and
registration his formal opinion that the
city auditor may properly pay the bills
incurred for the holding OF the Democrat
Is caucuses tomorrow night.
The question was raised by thee city
auditor. doubt having been raisd I'm
his mind ythe wording Of section OF
the caucus law. which would seem 20 pro-
hiblt the holding OF a caucus at this time
OF year.
The opinion would also seem 10 uphold
the state central committee rather than
the IL men or the city committee who,
under the leadership OF Chairman O'Nein.
did not adhere 10 the plan OF the state
Central committee
The opinion says: Section provides
that the general management OF the af-
fairs OF each political party I'm eacn CITY
shall he vested In It's city committee sub
5ect 20 the rules and regulations OF the
state committee. This provision indicates
that the intent OF the law is TO secure an
orderly expression OF the will Of the peo-
pie"
The state central committee. by It's
broad and comprehensive call intended TO
secure an expression OF the will OF the
people; but IL members OF the city conf
mittee endeavored 10 prevent that by
ordering the caucuses 20 be limited TO
straight party voters
As the call OF the state central com
mittee is undoubtedly n rule TO guide
the city committee under section2 it
would appear mat tne state centraf
committee IL sustained by Assistant
City Solicitor Baker. is sustained. and
that the city committee was IN error.
The call Issued by the state central
for rn,ea vita Yates eeGRGse sensse 70 bs p
portcd by the people as well as the
party.
that the Hessians on the party must
give way 10 the state central COM
mittee and It's wishes 10 have an eE-
!. The opinion OF Mr.. Baker is IS fol-
lows:
y "Your letter of the 5th inst. is received
requesting my opinion as 10 the question
raised by the city auditor. whether he can
legally pay the expenses relative TO hold
ing the Democratic caucuses called for
Tuesday May s. 1906. TO elect delegates TO
state convention 10 be held May ~.
1906 10 propose a candidate 10 represent
this state in the United States senate. es-
pecially In view OF section OF the eau
Gus law. and whether the call made by
the Democratic city committee for hold
ing said caucuss should be recognized by
your board as legal and valid under the
law.
2 II have the honor to advise that section
J OF said caucus law provides that I'm the
cities OF Providence. Newport and Paw
tucket the caucuses OF all political par
ties shall be held in accordance with the
provisions OF this act" and that said sec.
tion reads as follows:
Sec 5. No caucus. except a caucus
adjourned under the provisions OF section !
fourteenth OF this act shall be held with
,1n two days. exclusive OF Sundays and |
legal holidays. OF the last day for hling |
the certificate OF the nominations OF such |
caucus. nor shall any political party hold |
rancuses or successive days. All eau
fcuses. excepting those necessary for n I
special election, shall be held after the /
second Thursday next after the first |
Monday in September OF each year and |
all caucuses for the nomination OF candi- |
dates for the city council OF either OF |
fesid cities. excepting those necessary for |
sa special election, shall he held within /
.twenty-five days OF the Tuesday next af- |
ter the first Monday in November in each |