The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-02-25

We quote the following remarks frou
the Providence Sunday Journal VI yes
terday:
"spropos OF the statement that burning
issues are scarce. II is conceded by the Demo-
cratic leaders that there isn't much 20 fight
over But they say there will be a few things
for discussion II the Republican Assembly
can 10 prevailed upon 20 dump few more
fortunes on the hills Of Kingston. The inti-
nation 10 be taken from this is that the
Democrats will come out in the role of REFORM
ere as regards expenditures of State money
il the Republicans allow this Agricultural
College appropriation act TO pass the Assembly
before election. The measure In question ap-
rropriates $4,000 for the reconstruction OF a
burned dormitory, which, il is charged, only
cost originally about half that amount"
The political writer of The Journals
frequent potpourris which are wont to
appear before anybody else has begun TO
talk politics is usually fairly well 10
formed on Democratic doings, although
in his zeal his leg has not uufrequently
been pulled--as it was, for in
stance, in the matter OF the
prolonged efforts to oust Postmaster
GEORGE from Office. And II ordinarily
would seem queer that the Democrats
proposed 10 make political capital out of
appropriations for the Agricultural
School when we recall that although the
board of managers OF that institution
are Republicans, and although it has
been fostered by Republican ex-
ecutiyes and assemblies, we have
been told often enough by the
president of the university that it is to
Ex-Governor JOHN w. DAVIS that the Ag-
ricultural School kind of farmers owe
the establishment and advancement of,
and appropriations for, that institution
The president of the school, whenever
he gets chance to make an address on
examination days and such, never loses
the opportunity 10 tell us what a!good and
great man JOHN w. DAVIS was and
how much he and his party have done
for the school. Indeed the zeal Of these
remarks have often been so notable in
this direction that unkindly disposed
folk have been led to remark that the
President Of the State school frequently
forgets that he is servant OF the State
and imagines he owes allegiance only to
Ex-Governor DAVIS and the Democratic
party.
So, we say, it will seem odd if the
Democrats make capital out of any ap-
preparations which General Assembly
sees fit to make for the Agricultural
School since we have been taught to be-
lieve that it was peculiar pet Of the
Democratic party and was owing much
gratitude to thatpar But the General
Assembly, being Republican, of course
any thing it does is available for capital
for the Democratic party.
While we do not fear that the Demo-
cratic party will be successful in the
coming spring election, the big Repub-
liz majority cannot afford to make
it ridiculous by turning over 10000
tssay commission or board for expcad-
IN; - they see fit without any RESPONSE
bil, to the State or any call for an ac-
counting unless the expenditure
should involve positively criminal
methods, of which of course
there is no likelihood in the case of TIE
Agricultural School, for the management
is composed of men of integrity and
honesty. Such disposition of the
States funds would, however, be ridic-
ulcusly loose and would rightly call for
public condemnation. Whether this con-
demnation would inure to the success Of
the Democratic party or not, is another
matter. But it would be harmful to the
Republican party--a party that in local,
state and national affairs is today locked
to with confidence for wise and busi-
ness-like administration Of government
to replace the administrative running a.
muck methods that have everywhere
characterized the incumbency of the
Democratic party
But we do not believe the disposition
of the Assembly will be TO vote this
$4,000. We do not believe it will be
disposed to vote any part of it unless
the board of managers first prepares its
plans and estimates for approval. And
so far, the only, plans and estimates that
the board of managers can show are
mental memoranda of two new build
ings and stand pipe. for the construc-
ton of which it is roughly estimated
that so, 900 will be "qnite enough"