Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-01
TELEGRAMS TO THE Star.
POSTPONED THE FIGHT.
Gov. Russell and the Executive Council
Have Not Yet Joined Issues


Gov. Russell and the Executive Council
Have Not Yet Joined Issues.
Special Dispatch 10 The Evening star
BosroS, April Gov. Russslls norina-
ton OF Capt. Robert F. Clarke TO succeed Po-
lice Commissioner Osborne has been laid over
by the executive council until its meeting mex,
Thursday. The nomination made = g-ea,
sensation, because Of the political conse-
council will stand by Mr. Osborne. and that Is
just what the democrats would like TO see them
do.
Police Commissioner Osborne has not indi-
Gated rs vet, any desire to simplify the sitaa-
ton by resigning.
Capt Clarke. the new nominee. 10 an inde-
pendent in politics. which doubtless means
that he is Cleveland democrat and a Russell
republican. He is about ffty-fve years old
and native OF Boston. He made a
hne war record IS captain Of Com
pany + in Col (sf:srward Gen.)
Thomas q. Stevensons Gath regimant OF Infan-
try. He afterwards served rs senior aid on
Gen. Steverson's STAFF. He has served as vice.
president and for many wears treasurer Of
the Boston Shoe Exchange. He has been q
famous amateur osrsmsn. and was the frs;
president OF the Boston Athletic Association.
Gov. Russell hurled the bomb the politicians
nave been long expecting into the executive
council when he named the successor of Com
missioner Osborne.
Mr.. Osbornes term does not expire until
May j. but the governor took time bv the fore
lock and named his successor in order thst the
executive council, who have investigated all the
nominations sent them. would have no excuse
for keeping Mr. Osborne in the Office on Penn
berton square after Nav l.
In fact. Commissioner Osborne has held his
position for two wears oaly because The council
OF 1891 refused to confirm his successor The
NisDg. .,--a-,, -
does the police and liquor license OF the city, is
an engine OF considerable political power
Nothing that ever passed the Legislature met
such desperate opposition from the democratic
minority AS the police commission bili. The
last eSpedient OF ihbustering was resorted TO
before the bill was allowed 10 become a law. Ii
is the greatest obstacle IN the way OF demo-
cratic ascendency in the state. If the commits
sion Is not actually used to keep down the
democratic majority in Boston it at least rem
ders the police and the liquor powers unavaila-
bic TO increase IL. This is serious. for the dem
ocratic program here is the came as in New
York, to roll up go great a democratic majority
in the metropolis that the other cities and
towns OF the stale shall be poweriess 20 over
come it with republican votes.
CHARGES AGAINST coMMIssIoSER OSBORNE.
No sooner WAS Mayor Matthews elected to
Office than he proceeded early In 1891 TO lodge
charges sgains. Commissioner Osborne One
of the chief allegations was that he used the
police force OF Boston to forward his interests
In the great sword contest which the Boston
Globe instituted in connection with the national
encamnment Of the Grand Army in Boston in
August. 1870.
Mr.. Osborne was arrayed for trial before
the executive council with an array Of eminent
counsel on both sides. Mr.. Osborne proved
one OF the coolest, wsest and most ldroit wit
nesses ever seen in Boston.
.,,f.a Al, L.
condemn him proved wanting III the informG-
ton necessary TO convict, and the CONS
sioner was indicated by . strict party vote Of
the executive council
But Gov. Russell was not satisfied that Mr.
Osborne was b!ame.ess, aud named Mr.. Stone,
republican, as his successor. As the council
bad just passed on the merits OF the case Of
the trial they refused to confirm Mr.. stone
and remove Mr.. Osborne.
OSBORNE An ISSUE.
Gov. Russell made an issue Of this in the
campaigns Of 1891 and 1892 Indeed, the whole
trouble between Gov. Russell and the council
and the question as to the part which the conn.
ell plays In the economy Of the state dates from
the refusal to confirm Mr.. Osborne's successor
In the last campaign II is charged that the
democratic majority was kept down BY the di.
rect interference of Commissioner Osborne
though newspaper men especially assigned tc
find instances OF it were unable 10 discover any.
thing that could be printed. even in the heat o.
campaign. They were obliged to confn,
themselves TO generali;ies.
The issue is Of the greatest importanc,
politically. 1t may decide the campaign OF
1898 in advance. 1t NAV make Gov. Russell the
inevitable candidate for the fourth time, in TIE
face Of the precedent to the contrary. Lieut..
Gov. Wolcott's position may make or unmakt
him with the republican party. There is nc
doubt that most republicans would like to see
Mr.. Osborne out of Office. although few believe
he has been guilty of abuse of his Office. lie
has become a sort of ''white elephant on tneir
hands. III he would resign. il he had resigned
before the governor made his appointment, be
would have served his party well. But Mr.
Osborne is not that kind of a fighter. He has
talked with The STAR man at various times
but never has limited at resigning, although be
has canvsssed the question of his removal a.
the probable action of the council There i.
no doubt that he expects the council to stand
by him. He doesn't see how they can do less
as republicans.