The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-08-08
NO LACK OF PUBLIC SPIRIT.


Those who were present at the recent
hearing upon the extension Of the elec-
trio system need no further proof OF the
incorrectness of statements to the effect
that the citizens of PROVIDENCE are
lacking in public spirit.
1t is true that those who look upon
public spirit from somewhat distant
standpoint like our foreign. morning
contemporary, and who balance results
in the past ten years in the scale against
possibilities and natural resources, may
readily see superficial reasons for doubt
ing the existence of public spirit in our
city. But it is not easy to obtain an
accurate judgment of real facts from an
outside standpoint, nor is it just for the
unwilling or prejudiced to state only
portion of the facts and to blame the ir-
responsible for things not done.
Public spirit is not lacking in PRovI-
DENCE. There is an abundance Of it
among our well-to-do citizens and
among our prosperous business men.
The desire for improvement is every
where manifest among the intelligent
portions of the community. Confidence
in the possibilities of the city and its
resources is widespread. No one in ac-
tive business life needs to be told what
might be done. Who is there among
our citizens who has not for
twenty years earnestly desired improved
terminal facilities or increased ocean
commerce? There is no lack of enter
prise to take advantage of the oppor-
tunities offered. It is not the lack Of
determination to push the interests of the
city ON the part of the great multitude
Of the citizens so much as it is their in
ability, through lack of means, to make
their public spirit Of practical effect.
And by lack of means reference is made
mainly to lack of capital.
In brief it is not the lack of public
spirit in general, but the lack Of public
spirit on part of the very few who have
ample capital to push enterprise that
has left our city SO noticeably lacking in
recent improvements and business ad-
vance. The citizens Of PROVIDENCE
(the capitalist class do not own the con-
trolling interest in any ono of the
means of transportation entering the
city. Imagine, if possible, the condition
of affairs if. instead of being invested
so extensively in western stocks and
mortgages, the accumulating surplus of
our citizens wealth had been partly in
vested in local railroad securities. Sup
pose that as result very large, con.
trolling interest had been owned by
PROVIDENCE citizens in the Boston and
PROVIDENCE, the PROVIDENCE and Wor.
cester, the New York, PROVIDENCE and
Boston, the PROVIDENCE and Spring
field railroads, as well as fairly large
holdings in the New York, New
Haven and Hartford, and the New
York and New England. Further
suppose that that interest had been re.
tained. Does any sane mind believe
that our terminal question would have
dragged along for twenty years, only tc
be begun and again apparently needlessly
delayed for another year? Had local
capital controlled these roads the termi-
nails would be now in operation. We
have no leverage by which public spiri,
can be made to act upon a foreign cor.
poration or influence il beyond certain
stage. Our local capitalists have pre-.
ferred investing elsewhere to promoting
home development. And when local cap
ital stands sloof all the public spirit
and " business push" in the world car
not induce foreign capital to develor
the splendid resources that lie every,
where abont us.
The Union Railroad Company offer,
TO build an improved system of trans.
portation. Is there any lack Of support
ing public spiritp From Smith Hill &c
the Park the owners of abutting prop.
erty rise in a mass and almost withou,
n dissenting voice ask the City Council
to grant the proposed improvement.
No lack of public spirit there
Give the citizens of PROVIDENCE any
encouragement that their desires for
improvement and progress will be met
with ready assistance on the part OF
those who should be and are able to lead