The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-08-25
new KINGDOM.
The First Ward Secedes from
Providence and the Union.
Starts Into Government on Its Own
Hook-A Prolonged Saturnalia.

The idea originated with an assistant
helper in a blacksmith shop on Fox Point
who overheard two people. waiting lot
horse to be shod, talking about the Ola
Saturnalian festivities OF Rome when the
slaves, for single day, were
allowed all the privileges and luxuries OF
the masters and the masters waited upon
them. II was a brand new thing ior the
assistant helper and he thought about IL
and improved upon it until he came TO
the conclusion that Saturnalia Tor 500
days in the year would be the proper
thing.
He imagined that his sledge hammer
was gavel and pretended that his sus-
pender buckles were badges and decora-
tions conferred.
The next day between II and o'clock,
after the contents of two tin pals
had been disposed of, he took the second
assistant into his confidence and un-
folded what he had formed of his scheme.
Ii was very modest one SO far as extent
Of territory was concerned. He didn't
even pretend to care for the city,
but suggested that IL would be
good beginning for the First
Ward, the place where they worked ten
hours a day, bounded on the north by
Angel street and on the east and west by
the Seekonk and Providence rivers, COM
ing together at the southern point,
TO secede from Providence, Rhode
Island and the United States
and become an indepenent
principality in which the workingmen
predominated. That is theyare working
men now, but under the new order of
things one of them could be king, the
rest would form ministry and court
and be lords while the present rich
people would have to pay taxes
and support the crown or else get out OF
the ward and move TO the farther side
of Angel street, emigrate into East Provi-
dence or take hasty fight over Point
street bridge. There were a great many
things in favor of the scheme, explained the
first assistant helper to the second assis-
tsnt helper. The land forms peninsu-
la protected on all but one side by the
water. The eastern coast is high and
rocky and the northern boundary, Angel
street, is on an elevation descending
abruptly at either end TO the water lines.
Within its limits are valuable industrial
establishments which would yield a rich
revenue, and in infantry armory is near
the center where there is stored quantity
of arms and ammunition, while
within 400 feet OF the northern boundary
is valuable arsenal that could be seized
as preliminary operation. There are
two fully equipped fire stations
in the ward that should be confiscated,
and the Brown University buildings
would make an excellent seat OF govern
ment without interfering with anyone,
for from the very nature OF the case the
students, the sons of wealthy parents,
would go to the bottom in the general
revolution. Then after the war, which
the assistant helper deemed would be
necessary for independence, and the
principaiity had been recognized as such
by adjacent wards and foreign powers,
there would be every opportunity for ma
terial progress; good railroad facilities,
and an excellent port at the head OF tide
water, hundreds OF industrial institu-
tions already established, suitable
home for tho aged ladies, and
more than all loyal population
of working PEOPLE so tired OF oppression
that they would not hesitate to rally
about the new standard and become the
lords and defenders OF Foxia, as it was
proposed to call the new State. And as a
final detail the first assistant helper should
be prince and the second assistant helper
prime minister.