The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-11-21

1t appears TO be necessary for some one
to step forward and identify the Demo
cratic candidate for mayor. His full name
is William Knight Potter and according
TO his biography in the State Manual he
was born in New York, educated in Gran
ston and sells lumber i'm Providence. His
name gets into the State Manual from his
having served two years in the lower
house OF the General Assembly during the
two years Of Gov. Davis administration.
The manner of his selection as candidate
for representative Is thus told by an active
Democrat:
The committee were diligently hunting
for Yankee Democrats" who would con-
sent TO go on the Democratic ticket, and as
A. Is. Rice, the lumber dealer on Cranston
street, had some years ago in the old Sixth
Ward, under the John h. Lester regime,
held public Office and had allowed his
name in later years TO brace the ticket
upon emergency, they sought to obtain
Mr.. Rice's name and support once mora.
While Mr.. Rice declined to permit the
use of his name again, he kindly pointed
out his son-in-law as n substitute and the
committees being fully assured OF his
Yankee" proclivities, reported his name
to the convention. Mr.. Potter ought from
mere gratitude 10 add to his biography,
Married into the family of Archibald Is.
Rice"
His record as legislator shows him to
be bright enough to recognize the super
abounding ability of that redoubtable po-
litical soldier, Gen. John NJ. Brennan, and
to be reverent and loyal follower of that
great man. His only legislative action
that attracted much attention was when
at the dictate of the Democratic bosses, he
with his associates on the finance COM
mittee failed, for reasons best known to
themselves, to hold meetings and recon-
mend necessary and regular appropria-
tions for the support of State institutions
and for ordinary expenditures, at the end
of the session after the election had shown
the return of Republican legislature to
power, thus necessitating deal of use
less trouble in the various departments
and the passage of deficiency bills at the
following MaSrsession. AS an obstruc-
ZIONIST under orders he succeeded in
throwing little sand into the gearing of
the State machinery.
In the affairs of the City Government he
appears to be complete novice, and from
the experience of the past his policy, if
and controlled by his political godfathers,
Gen. Brennan and David Lingane of the
Telegram.
After the nomination of Mr. Potter he
visited meeting of the Democratic City
Committee, in order, as stated in the Tel
egrdm, that first nominated him for
mayor, to become acquainted tUith the
members. IL is presumed from this pre-
caution the members of that committee
will be able to point him out to inquiring
citizens
There are other reasons that cause a
little misconception in the public mind in
regard to the identity of the Democratic
candidate. There have been several Pot
ters in the City Council during the past
few years, some of whom have been alder
men, some presidents of the Common
Council. The present candidate should
not be confounded in the public mind with
either of these gentlemen. 1t is not Alfred
Potter, Alfred 5. Potter, Charles b. Pot
Y. Potter who now heads the Democratic
ticket. Nor should other gentlemen of the
name of Potter who are engaged in the
sale of lumber be branded in the com
munity as the Telegrdm's candidate.