Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1891-10-24
RUSSELL And LODGE
Discuss the Administration
Of the Ray State.
AN INTELLECTUAL BATTLE
Russell Tells How The Appoint
ments We're Made.

BosToy, Oct 24.-There was an intellec
tual encounter in two rounds, at fremont
Temple last night before big audience.
The contestants, cxCongressman John
.. Russell and Congressman Henry Cabot
Lodge. for nearly three hours wrangled
ever the question ns TO whether Governor
William z. RussePs administration had
been a failure or not
Chairman Horace G. Allen made a. In.
.troductory speech. and then eX-Cungress
? man Russell took the floor and immedi-
ately BEGAN
The Debate.
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies' and Gentlemen: We
are fortunate in the topic for this discussion
ri. the administration Of n governor elected
by a party that heretofore has had but small
part in the responsibilities Of the common-
wonlth. II is still in power; its acts from the
beginning are fresh in the public mind, and IL
10 before the people asking their approval
Methods OF federal taxation and questions OF
surrcncy may be debated without result ex-
cept to disclose wide or narrow differences Of
opinion. Our question is TO be dt cded by the
people at tho next election, which is near, and
my appearance hGrs Is rFOof Of my conf
denco In my caase and In thc Justice OF the
tribunal But whatever may be the result,
cannot but feel that il has been Of infinite adj
vantage TO the people OF Massachusetts 10
kavo had Democratic administration.
The ADMINISTRATION OF the past year has CON-
plstely oyerthrown this arrogant pretension
The administration of the past year has
proved, az only experiments could prove, that
either party Is competent 60 fairly and faith
fully administer the affairs OF state Ia Massa-
ehusetts. 1t will have the effect TO more
evenly divide parties and thus secure the
nomination Of the best ard truest citizen. 1t
has reassured timid citizens in regard TO the
patriotic character of large part of the
vstors, and has put an end TO the dctraction,
that Democratic rule was dangerous to the
public veal.
In this way it has strengthened free institu-
tionS and tho people may congratulate them
solves and feel renewed pride and love for our
aeaS old commonwealth because Of her
brighter honor. her higher dignity, her more
sssured safety.
sumo the power OF which they were deprived
At the last election. In order to accomplish
this purpose IL Is proper that
They should Show Cause,
that they should show you reason for change.
II II necessary that they satisfactorily estab-
lish that the present governor Is not doing his
duty by the people. The administration of
Governor Russell 10 10 be judged upon four
groundS Upon the recommendations OF legis-
hture; upon his vetoes Of acts passed; by that
great test OF all administrations, his appoint
nent TO office; and by his appearance before
the people.
Mr.. Russell then reviewed the gov
ernor's recomme endatons TO the legislature
and pointed to the vote Of the general
court TO submit to the people the anne nd
Ment to the constitution for tie abolition
Of the poll tax as a prerequisite for vOt-
ing as one Of the fruits Of his inaugural
message He reviewed in detail the laws
passed in the iiue Of his message, and con-
eluded that the viaws of the governor
were reflected 10 n greater degree I'm laws
on the statue books than In the case of
any governor for years. Mr.. Russell paid
his respects TO Mr.. Lodge on this matter
and wanted to know what the Republican
party proposed to do with this poll tax
resolve. lie also turned his attention %
the position of Mr.. Lodge on the redistrict-
ing bill, and asked IL the party intended, in
case 1t was successful this fall,
To Open Up That Matter Again
and gerrymander the state.
After dealing with the matter of COM
missions, Mr.. Russell said the governor
had made 12l appointments, Of which
ninety four were reappontnents and
twenty. seven were new. The Osborne in
vestigation he touched upon, declaring
that the police commissioner under inves-
tisatlon had been found an improper per-
son to hold the Office. He reviewed the
appointment of Chauncey Smith rs rail
road commissioner in place OF George G.
Cracker, aud said the latter had defied the
Legislature aud been compelled to do his
duty by tho supreme court. Governor
Russell had refused to allow the claim of
Theodore Davis for lobby services at
Washington, ahu it would not be paid
without litigation.
Lodges Reply.
Mr.. Allan-I now take equal pleasure in
iutrod uciug to you the Honorable Henry
Cabot Lodge.
Mr.. Lodge spoke ~ follows:
Mr.. Chairman, Ladies and Gentlemen: am
hore tonight 20 discuss and 20 criticiso the
administration OF Governor Russell. shall
make no nllusion TO the matter Of the abolition
Of the poll tax, for l have always supported
that abolition, both in public and in private.
A Republican legislature of 1889 passed the
constitutional amendment, otherwise IL would
never have reached the Republican legislature
OF lsoO Nor shall speak to you by the card
about the public schools. i do not need 70
speak by the card. My position Is too well
known. Governor Russell camo into Office
with largo promises as = reformer and i'm.
proven. A high standard was set up, and we
havc right to demand corresponding meas
IRE Of performance. His cxcslency IL not
satisfied with the limitations placed by the
chusetts. ean easily understand that, TO n
man Of hts excellency's bold spirit and imperi-
Gus will. the limitations upon the governor
,hip Of Massachusett. may seem irksomc. But
thcre 1. no excuse IL he has failed in the per-
formnnee Of his duties. We must Judge him
hy the governorship of Massachusetts, as Il f.,
rot as II might be II he could make Il what he
would Ike ii TO lie.
Tho earliest duty imposed upon tho governor
py tho constitution Is that which makes him
part Of the lsw-makinR power. BIZ are given
to him for his revisal. He is either TO sign
them, to return them with his objections, or
10 permit them TO become law without his
hrnaturs. He signed a bill Incorporating a
sloucester trust company and allowed seven
sthers to becoIne law OF similar character,
without his signature, and said that he had
done so, in a inosteec, because the first
Escaped Bis Attention.
Governors Of Massachusetts, do not sit IN the
tate house 10 have measures escape their at
tontion. II IL their duty to notice them, and
,hi, hill moreover, belonged 10 a class on
which he had made q specific recommenda-
ION of gsnsral law.
n. vstosd o bili granting bountics 20 certain
,oldiers In East Bridgewater. lie had pro-
yisusly signed q precisely similar bill in the
II aus town gaIdolp' sbii a.
81 &C he sir,ei Tho R,ndoPh Ill h, hai ois