The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-08-20
THIS is AN OLD STORY.
But II is None the Less interesting
for all that.
THESE TWO SMITHS MIXED UP.
A Question OF q Policeman for tho North
ern Part OF Johnston-An Old "sun-
dav Law" Case aud Its Hero-Diner-
ence OF Opinion.

Looking backward into the earlier his
tory OF the northern part OF the town OF
Johnston, comprising that section known
as Graniteville and Centerlale, a little
episode is recorded which perhaps has es-
capped the memory of the greater part of
the people of this section, but which bids
fair to be resurrected In connection with
what appears to be u recent political deal
between one Of the members Of the present
council and former police constable Of
tina village.
Some time ago, when politics did not,
to such an extent, enter into the man
agement of affairs as at present, an old
man well-known and respected, kept q
small huckster's store there. the only at
tempt at business then in existence. This
person commonly addressed AS Rem ben,
was not much of church member and
although upright and honest, paid very
little attention to the Lords day. In
stead Of attending service, he would sit
outside his little shop with the door open
-an objectionable crime In those
days-would peruse the papers or litera-
ture Of some kind. and even at times, as
shown In evidence later, the Bible. j.
Nicholson Smith was then constable in
the hamlet. and desiring to turn every
opportunity to good account, without ex-
treme discrimination as to the gravity or
lightness OF the charge, at the instigation
Of the church people arrested the old man
aud lodged him In a cell. A trial was
held and Reuben was mulcted sum
which was thought commensurate with
the evil he had perpetrated.
Years have gone by, aud the victim Is
dead but the incident still lives.
1t will be- remembered that when the
police constables were being ratified by
the council, Sergea ant Holbrook presented
the name Of George Smith, no relation of
the above, the family having large
branches. Rufus Harris who is the mem-
Der from Centredale, brought serious OBJ
jections to bear on the case. and the re-
suit was George was not appointed. Coun-
Gilman Harris claimed that the people
did not want this person, and as he re-
presented their interests he must object
Those who recollect the story as related
above, will remember that Mr.. Harris and
Constable Smith worked hand in hand in
the matter, and when the former was
elected to the council last June, it was
with the mutual understanding that one
should support the other. They nave ap-
parantly proved loyal, hence the refusal
to ratify George Smiths temperance.
The town without police protection, is
becoming exceedingly lively, especially
on Sundays. when. IL reports are true,
fiUhts dsys TO drunkenness are numerous,
law and order being totally disregarded.
j. v. Barnes is the one man appointed TO
protect that district. and hc resides In
Manton, too far away to be Of service.
The statement that George Smith was
not popular among the residents Is
secuted by them, for they all accede
that his term proved most successful
to the entire satisfaction of every
body. The fact of the matter is,
j. Nicholson Smith is the man desired
by the councilman, and for him doth his
every effort tend. The citizens are not
in favor of him, and have requested the
other Smith to circulate a petition among
them for their signatures, which they will
freely give, 80 little are they dissatisfied
with him.
Few even thought that Centerdale would
have a political sensation Of this capacity.
Handsome Chenille Portiere,
With choice of Poles and Trimmings. ~ complete.