The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-05-07

year. Caucuses necessary for special
election shall be held not more than ten
days before nor within two days, exclu-
sive OF Sundays and legal holidays, OF
the last day for filing the certificates OF
nominations OF such caucuses
"The provisions In said section s, that
all caucuses. excepting those necessary
for a special election. shall be held after
the second Tuesday next after the first
Monday IN September OF each year, and
that all caucuses for the nomination OF
candidates for the city council excepting
In case OF special election shall be
held within twenty-five DAYS Of the Tues
day next after the first Monday I'm Mo-
vember In each year-might seem upon
first consideration 10 control the deter
mination ~ the matter in question.
"But the scope and objects OF the
caucus law under its various provisions
considered a. q whole seem 10 include all
cnucuses OF the various political parties,
and not 20 be limited 10 caucuses Gus
tomarily held each year shortly before
the annual election
Section provides that all caucuses
shall be held IN said cities at the call OF
the political party holding such caucuses.
and that tho city committees call shall
state the business 10 be transacted there
at. The law does not define or limit
the nature OF the business 10 be trans
acted az such caucuses.
Section . provides that the general
management OF the affairs Of each po-
IitIcaT party In each CITY shall be vested
IN its city committee. subject 10 the rules
and regulations which the state commit
tee OF such political party shall make
This provision further indicates that the
intent Of the law was not 10 interfere
with the party's affairs. hut 10 secure an
orderly expression OF ;ne will OF the
party.
Various sections Of the law expressly
recognize that the election Of delegates
10 political conventions Ia within the pur-
view OF the law.
AN examination of said Section ind-
Gates that the words caucus and eau
cuse5' as usCc IN said section rciar anl
have relation particularly 10 caucuses
called for the nomination OF candidates.
them delegates TO certain conventions are
customarly elected The words each
year used In said section also Indicate
that the section bears special reference 10
the customary caucuses ryior To the an
nual el ,ctIon.
ITO hold that this section would prevent
the holding Of caucuses 20 elect delegates
10 a state convention 90 propose a party
for United States senator AZ
any other time than that specified In this
section. would be contrary TO the prece-
ueniS ana uncnallenReu pfdCtlCe OF nOldlnR
caucuses In the late spring or early sum
lucr every four years to choose delegates
20 state conventions 10 elect delegates 20
the national conventions called 20 name
party candidates for the offices OF presl-
dent and vice president OF the United
states. The purposes I'm both cases APP
pear to be similar. and In their legal bear
Ing Identical as there is no legal nomina-
tion OF candidates in either case. and
neither OF such conventions have power to
elcct 10 office any persons proposed or
named
"It seems TO me II could not have been
Intended that this law should prevent the
holding OF the customary caucuses at the
regular and proper time I'm the latter case,
and III the law Is 10 be so construed | see
no sufficient ground for distinction that
,an be made, which would prevent the
holding OF the caucuses In question. This
may not be free from doubt,
but considering the general scope and In
tent OF the law. ] advise that said call for
said caucuses was legal and valid. and
therefore that the expenses relative 10
holding the same may be properly paid by
The city auditor