The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-04-09
THE NEWS MAIL BAG.
An Echo of Election Practices In the
Tough Third.
To TIRE Enron OF THE News.

To THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS.
SIR-Permit me to call the attention OF
the citizens of Ward 3. district 2, through
the columns of your paper, to the dishon-
orable management OF the ward ofncers
during the time that the polls are open.
1t does not require Eyeglasses to see
with, nor Is 1t strange that this
district Is controlled by class OF
people whom self respect could not
prevent disgracipg and abusing their
fellow citizens OF another political
faith or religious belief within the ward
room. Having been a supervisor in this
district for the past three elections
could not help seeing and protesting
against the evil and injustice which has
been done to certain citizens whose faith
does not correspond with theirs.
1t Is neither unusual that the law Is sell
dom enforced in this ward-room, and
when ii is, il Is caused by some Republi-
can, for the officers keep their eyes open
TO any one of that creed; but for the
Democrats there seems to be no law W hat
ever. / was surprised the first time TO
hear how people were urged to vote Tor
Democratic candidates, and the ward
officers paid no attention to 1t. Some
tough would stand up and shout vote
for McGuinness," "Down with the Repub-
licans," and it would pass as a part Of the
duties Of the day; but when Republican
dared to utter q word which did not seem
fit in the eyes OF the warden, clerk or one
OF their supervisors, he would be ordered
out Immediately.
Such scenes did not pass unnoticed even
on Wednesday last. /, as a supervisor,
having been appointed by the chief mag
istrate, for the Republican party, felt my
self called upon to stop such lawless ness
by appealing to the warden for the en-
forcement of the law, an extraction OF
which is placed before each voter at the
polls; but at that time the warden would
be ostensibly busy, and claim he had
not seen anything wrong. The policeman
who Is on duty in the ward room initiates
the Others and 40 the law is being violated
both directly and indirectly, without re-
gard to the indignation OF many law
respecting citizens.
There are to my knowledge q number
of citizens in this district who refuse to
come and vote for fear of being insulted
by the gang who are ever eager and thirsty
for the blood OF one who worships in the
Church Of Israel, and must say that these
people cannot be blamed for it, so long as
protection is denied them. Would it not
irritate anyone's blood to see respectable
citizens being so shamefully treated by
set of drunkards, before the witnessing
eyes of a public officer who joins in
laughtcr at the Jokes which would cause
monkc blush for shameY
/ viii. describe one instance, for exam
pie, OF the way the Hebrew citizens are
treated In this ward room.
A man named Nj. j., a property owner,
came up to cast his ballot while the usual
number OF toughs, young and old, were
standing in the room, smoking and chew
ing, and playing with two dogs. when one
of them cried out: "Oh, sey, geve yerr
dug vut as wal as di sheeney, Pat"
Indeed, Nike" was the reply, can de
dug deserves 1t better thain Christ killer"
This was followed by great burst OF
laug Joined by all with the exception
of a few Americans.
Now Mr.. Editor is there no way to pre-
vent the introduction of Tammany Hall
methods in this city? The Third Ward
is the toughest one ia the city for Hebrew
voters, and as a matter of fact, had 1t not
been for the efforts of Mr.. George Davis,
gentleman well known in Repub-
lican circles, there would be very
few checks on the list of Hebrew vo-
ters. l keep wondering how it is that the
Irish people do SO Indignantly protest
against the A. p. A. as enemies OF relig-
ious liberty while they are themselves the
biggest slaves 30 religious intolerance.
j trust that you will publish this letter
In order to enlighten q great many re-
spectacle voters in this district of the
fact that there is some cleaning to do,
and that it must be done before the APP
proach of the next season.
Yours trustfully,