The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1891-12-04

X. Potter has been compelled to submit
TO the opportunities of the interviewer
1t was friendly interviewer who saw
him yesterday, and in writing the pre-
liminaries to what Mr.. Potter had TO say
he informs the public that the next
mayor was found seated at his desk in
the Office attached to his lumber yard
with large portrait of Grover Cleve-
land looking down upon him from the
wall above. Mr.. Potter, we are told, ap-
peared as though nothing had hap
pened out of the ordinary run of things,
but how the portrait Of Grover Cleve-
land took the victory we are not per-
mitted to know. The portrait might
have beamed or might have frowned
upon Mr.. Potter, or it might have gazed
with a stolid, porpoise-like. free-trade
exhibition of nothingness. Possibly the
latter supposition is correct, for the
thoughts of the original of the portrait
if not centered upon Baby Ruth, must
have been wandering in the direction of
Buffalo, where the old Clevelandites
were the day before numerically
whalloped in the Democratic primary
elections by the younger element in the
party led by William F. Sheehan, the
recently elected lieutenant governor of
New York state
Although the portrait of Grover Cleve-
land looked down from the wall above,
that incident appears to have had no ef-
feet on the words that Mr.. Potter ad-
dressed to the public through the repor-
ter. Mr.. Potter admitted that he did
not look upon the result of the election
as personal victory but as victory for
Democracy and good government. Mr..
Potter here is correct in one respect but
he presumes too much in another.
Through the apathy of Republicans who
had become too well used to seeing
things go right to realize that
under any circumstances they ever
could go wrong the Democrats
are enabled to claim victory.
But that it is victory for good govern
ment is an assertion to make the sphinx
smile. If to Mr.. Potter We're to be con-
ceded the best intentions personally, it
is not for the best interests of the city
nor conducive to good government to
have the Mayor and City Council stand
ing as the representatives of different
policies and radically different principles.
It would be unfair to Mr.. Potter not
to assume that he will desire to stand
with the better element of his own party,
but il is impossible TO refrain from ex-
tending 10 him sympathy in view of the
pressure to which he viii be subjected
from the worse element which will
claim recognition and substantial
gratitude in view of the part it took in
his election.
Mr.. Potter admits that this is Re-
publican city and attributes his victory
to its true cause, the negligence of Re-
publicans. Calumny and falsehood
Systematically employed had their de-
plorable effect, but this aspect of the
case Mr.. Potter naturally does not touch
upon.
How Mr.. Potter will conduct himself
when he assumes charge of the chief
magistrates Office in the City Hall is un-
known. He offers no explanations. He
simply stands upon the platitudes that
were contained in the Democratic plat
form. The best hope for the citizens is
found in Mr.. Potters admission that
Providence is a Republican city. With
a Republican City Council at his elbow
and with a proper respect for public
opinion in his mind, Mr.. Potter, if he is
wise, will follow the lines laid down by
his honorable and honored predecessor.
IL is not an easy position that he finds
himself placed in. If he would secure
denomination next year he must mollify
the bosses of his party by submitting to
their dctation. If he expects 10
hold the respect of the citizens he must
prove to the people that he is not in
touch with the schemes of these bosses.
He is between two stools and requires
the clear head and practised muscles of
an acrobat if he would not fall to the
ground.
He stands, he says, upon the Demo.
cratic platform. But the saws of the
men who made Mr.. Fotter the Demo- |
cratic nominee are already being sharp
ened and the platform will be kindling
wood before his term begins unless, for |
tunately for himself and for the city, he !
proves himself possessed of more in
dependent spirit than he has commonly
been credited with possessing. In the |
position which he will occupy after Jan.
/. the News finds itself constrained 10 I
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