The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-11-14
III. w. LADD 60.

platform and called the melting to...order.
He expressed disappointment and surprise
at the meagerness of the gathering as
well as at the failure of the gentlemen
announced TO speak TO put in an appear
ance. Then he plunged into the inde-
pendent movement. He didn't seem TO
know exactly where he was at. but he de-
clared that the Swedes had 700 qualified
voters in the city and IL they stuck to-
getber ii would not be long before they
would be recognized and some of them
60 up the broad steps of the city hall,
which was probably Mr.. Mellstrom's way
OF indica ting that his independence in
politics had for Its chief aim and pur-
pose the securing OF independence of an
other sort.
Mr.. Mellstrom then grew ~forceful ana
emphatic. He repudiated the report that
the Swedish Independent Club was q
Democratic Organization, and ne charac-
ment as a liar. What be wanted and what
those associated with him wanted was a
municipal government That would work
in the interests OF the people and not or
monopolies and monopolists. The decla-
ration OF this new and original sentiment
didn't arouse the slightest interest and so
Mr.. Mellstrom proceeded TO introduce f.
{. Pierce, Esq, swho was the only one
Of the gentlemen announced TO speak
who had put in an appearance.
MIR. Pierce's address was an interesting
one and was listened TO with close atten-
tion. He said That in declaring his firm
belief in party government In municipal
affairs he was well aware he was
ing a sentiment which is decidedly un-
popular. Nevertheless, he held to it.and
believed that party government was best
even for city affairs. 1t has been the un-
broken habit OF the American people. he
declared, to conduct public affairs through
the agency OF political parties. Party
government Is a fundamental fact in
American political life and so It will al
ways remain. There will in the future,
as in the past, be two great ana strong
political organizations. Their names may
be changed or their positions shifted,
but the party organizations will remain
and party.governmen will prevail.
This being the case ii is important, in
deed necessary, that the condition OF
parties should be improved. They should
be made pure, unselfsh and patriotic.
Party should be raised above the level OF
petty considerations and expanded so that
IL VIII have regard only for and Will
bend its energies to the faithful service
OF the people, This is the era OF reform.
We have civil service reform, ballot re-
form and now there should be reform
OF party organization. Those who think
that by setting up as independents they
will hasten the advent OF better govern
ment are sadly mistaken. They will never
succeed. The end which they propose to
seek can only be reached through the re-
form OF party organizations.
Turning to local affairs, Mr.. Pierce de-
clsred II was his opinion that the party
machine IL composed OF too few men.
The city committee Is too small. A much
larger number than Ave from each ward
should be upon IL. This would increase
the power and influence of the people In
The party organization and help to bring
about desirable changes and reforms.
The primary meeting, the speaker de-
clared, should be placed on a more solid
basis and he added that II the independ-
ents, as they called themselves, bad de-
voted ~ much energy to the improve
ment OF parties rs they have to attack
ing existing government. we would now
he in q fair way to excellent political
health.
The city debt was then taken up and
Mr.. Pierce called attention to the fact
that while the debt might be considered