The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-04-28
II MEN VOTED TO
LIMIT CAUCUSES
Small Minority Dictated Action of Democratic City
Committee and Decided, Under Leadership of
ONei and Dorney, to Throw the State Com
mittee's Plan and Restrict Primaries TO Demo-
Gratis Alone

The action OF IL out OF 63 members OF the
Democratic city committee last evening
in throwing down the plan OF the state
central committee and voting TO hold pri-
mary meetings under strict interpreta-
tion of the caucus law. and not as,gather-
ings of all citizens to act as they might
in town meeting TO forward common
interest. may lead 90 very interesting
things political, according 20 the COM
Inents made by many leading Democrats
today
Many OF them predicted that It would
lead to an awakening OF the masses OF
Democrats that will set At naught the
work OF few wreckers who, under the
guise Of Democrats and directed by the
most disruptable element OF the Republi-
can machine, seek TO manipulate the party
in the interests OF the Republicans and
for their own selfish purposes.
The fact that ,only q OF the total mem
bership of 63 or the Democratic city com
mittee attended last nights meeting, and
many OF these men who are positively
known or strongly suspected to be In
league with the Republican machine, Is
regarded as hIgTiTY yTgurTrCJut-
Ten OF those present voted against the
game 20 play into the hands 9f the Repub-
licans: but, OF course. they were helpless
A member OF the state central commit
tee said that the members OF tho city
committee who did not attend the meeting
did not remain away az any suggestion
given by the state committee, or by any
member. so far as he knew.
When asked why these men did not at
tend the city committee meeting and help
90 endorse the purposes OF the call issued
by the state central committee he said
that he could not say.
At the meeting OF the city committee
Chairman O'Neil presided. lie explained
the call and stated that he had consulted
with the board OF registration and others
and that the primaries would have TO be
held under the caucus law. and that all
who took part In them would be put down
a. Democrats.
Daniel A. Cotton OF the Firth ward
took issue with the chairman. AS / un-
ries in Providence. Pawtucket and
Newport held only for the elec-
for the nomination OF candidates for city
officers and members OF the general as
sembly and for tho election of delegates
20 state and district conventions for the
noination OF state officers and representa-
tives 20 congress and for the election OF
Il differ with the board OF canvassers
and deny its right 20 regulate these
caucuscs. ] will say here that the eau
IN by all voters. irrespective OF party
Chairman O'Neil-I have had friend
look into this matter. and find that any
meetings that require the board OF cam
vassers 10 Mt up the halls with ballot
boxes and check lists como under the cau-
Gus law. The board will have 10 prepare
check lists and there must be some caucus
officer 20 give them to-
Mr.. coltoD--Provided the caucuses we're
called by the Democratic party 20 be pan
tcipated in by Democrats Tho Call Of
the state central committee states and
TO in~ite TO participate liz said cavcuscs
ell legally qualified cltizens interested In
forwarding the purposes of the conven-
u0n." IL tho check list comes out with all
but Democrats crossed of. no others can
participate
Chairman O'Neil-If any others partici-
pate they lose their franchise 90 partici-
patio in any other caucus for IL months
Mr.. Colton-That is not in accordanc
With the call Of the state central commit
tee.
Thomas J. Dorney Of the Ninth ward
rsked how Mr. Cotton would suggest the
raucuses 10 b. held. ~ can't see any other
gay 20 hold them" he continued. II pre-
pune the lists viii have the names OF
Republicans scratched. IL would not be