The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-09-27

'6l TO '65.
1t would be idle 10 hold that there are
no serious conditions prevailing i'm our
midst which are dangerous to the social
order OF the American people, or which
are not in an actual state OF hostility To
existing government.
The forces OF evil which have enlisted
as their agents the restless, discon-
tented and revolutionary elements OF
the great cities will run their pernicious
| cycles and subside only when their
strength has been exhausted. There will
| be but one f1nal result-the strong arm of
| the government Will crush all distur Dances
| OF the public peace, and restore civil or
der, even by the sacrifice OF the misguided
lives OF those who breed dissension.
The massing in our great cities of the
Ignorant and vicious classes which have
been admitted to American citizenship
and armed with the ballot before they
could speak or read the English language,
| has made possible the boss and the bood
Ter, the licensed bighwaymen OF muni-
! plague spot upon our Americen civiliza-
| tion. Its removal and cure battles the
wisest statesmen and the most profound
students of social economy.
The primary caus es are the looseness of
our immigration an. naturalization laws,
| as well as their imperfect administration.
Recently the immigration laws were
strengthened, and are now more strictly
enforced, but they are dangerously inade-
quate to deal with existing conditions.
No man in these times should be ad-
mitted to citizenship unless he has stood
the test OF searching examination. The
| continued wholesale admission of foreign
ers OF doubtful reputation and antece-
dents Is augmenting the vicious classes,
who, armed with the ballot, have rendered
municipal government in our great cities
failure and reform impossible. 1t is one
of the imnutable features of universal
suffrage that the right once granted is
never surrendered.
What can be done, then to secure better
municipal government is the burning
question OF the hour. This is not the oc-
casion, nor is there time, to discuss the
question in detail.
Granted that the chief obstacle in the
way of a satisfactory solution of this vex-
atious question lies in the exercise of the
right of suffra Q by the ignorant and
vicious, the situation can be greatly inn
proved and the way prepared for a lasting
reform.
First, the United States Congress should
make the immigration laws sufficiently
restrictive, IL not already SO, to prevent
the landing on our shores of the danger
Gus and pauper classes of the Old World.
Second, the general government should
vigorously enforce these laws, and thus
shut off the sources for recruiting the
ranks already among rs.
Then the naturalization laws should be
amended, and the limit of qualification
increased from five to Ia years, and the
power TO admit to citizenship reposed in
the United States courts alone.
Then the better elements OF the people
should bend their best energies for the
enactment OF such whole some laws as
shall reduce TO minimum the effective
weight and influence OF the vote that now
controls the municipal government in our
great cities.
Some way should be devised to secure In
the various departments of the govern
ment an adequate representation of the
minority, and make requisition upon the
very best men 10 fill the places-men of
intellect. of character, and of command
ing influence.
Little by little eliminate politics from
municipal management, and substitute |
purely business methods. While the line |
of battle is thus patiently and earnestly !
pushed, the slow processes of education /
will accomplish the rest.
One OF the greatest hindrances to a pro-
gressive movement in the direction Of re-
form Is that public life has in large de-
gree become unattractive.
This is an intensely commercial age.
Money making is the prevailing ambition.
The field OF human enterprise presents
the greater opportunities.
There is no career in municipal service |
In the way OF legitimate facilities for ac-
curing an adequate income, even to Sc
cure one against the possibilities of the
future, aid IL it did, the uncertainties of
a tickle public sentiment render the ten
ure OF office still greater uncertainty.
Who can contemplate the confinement,
drudgery and nervous strain incident to
the responsible Office which our lamented
associate SO ably filled, without profound
appreciation Of the force OF these
thoughts?
1t was TO his home that our departed
friend returned after the labors and
trials OF the day were ended, with n
sense OF pleasure which nothing else
could inspire.
There, surrounded by his loved ones, he
found that contenment and peace which
only their immeasurable affection and
trust could bestow.
Those OF us who stood by his bier and
looked for the last time in his lfeless up
turned face. peaceful and calm, in its
eternal sleep, felt the influence of q pure
and noble life, III the atmosphere that
iilled that unpretending, yet beautiful
home.
Here, while living, were centered all his
hopes and ambitions. For the precious
lives committed to his care he toiled with
a cheerful spirit, and by an example OF
pure living and conservation to the
Christian faith which he professed, he |
strove to make his home creative influ-
ence for the moulding OF their characters
AZ hhN NoocuiihiS VI N tTue anu |
manhood and womanhood.
His convictions ofth commanding infiu-
ence OF the home, upon the character of
human society are reflected In the one |
which he had reared. He understood, as
we do, that the great hope OF our Ameri-
can civilization Is the American hone. IL
N In the home that our children should
be educated i'm the essentials OF true man.
hood and womanhood, hence the neces-
sity oil making II In all ways attractive,
and OF creating within it an atmosphere |
OF elevating influences. IL should be pro-
tected from unholy influences as ieaIously
as we guard the honor OF our wives and
daughters.
Our friend was believer In the Chris
tan religion, and was an active worker i'm |
The Held OF Christian work. ! am con-
hdent, in my erief study OF the mans
character, that he was no hypocrite. His
iearlessness In tho discharge OF his official
duties aud his marked decision OF char
acler were Inconsistent with insincerity
or deception. lie was respected and
trusted IN this Held OF labor as he was iu
his TEMPORAL work