The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-09-26
WHO DID ITs

OF course everybody knows that the
Democrats did it. We shall shortly learn,
on Democratic authority, that the Demo
oracy has been "roused from its state OF
apathy and restored to the confidence
of the people, as evidenced by yester-
days vote-though, as a matter OF fact,
the unterriied Third Ward In the city OF
Providence didn't betrsy much more ex-
citement over the matter than did the
tan shoe nabobs OF the Second.
We know the Democratic party did it,
but who was the man? Who was the
Moses that brought all these prattling
children of Democracy cut OF the Egyp-
tian darkness? Who was the Gabriel that
blew the horn, and set going this limited
but sufficient resurrection?
Here we are like to find a difference of
opinion, difference that we do not care
to venture to decide. We may, with per-
sonal safety, only present the rival
claims, and then stand at distance
where only the dust from the struggle
shall reach us TO fieck our coat whence we
mayhap may make early announcement OF
the claimant who comes out OF the dust
alive at time in the near or remote
future.
In the first place there is Colonel
FRAN..LIs PIERCE OWEN chairman of the
Democratic State Central Committee
Colonel OWEN Is the best abused man in
the Democratic party--or in any party
He thrives on abuse just as panthego-
ras wakes fat on douehes OF molten
hail stones. Psnthegoras OWEN claims
that he did it. Put that down.
Then there is RICHARD BUNcoMBE
CoMsrocK, who, like CAESARS wife,
should be above suspicion, and maybe is
CALPHURNIA CoMsTocK claims that he
did it. Fut that down.
Then there is Chairman DoRNEY OF the
city committee, he, of the elections-fund
su subscription list. paper that is as virgin
white today as it was the hour he began
to pass 1t around. Chairman DoRNEY
wants the glory.
We won't mention lesser lights-not
even the Providence Journal, which our
professional pride would normally incline
us to credit with having done more to de-
feat the biennial amendment than any
other single force. The Journal threw it.
self heart and soul into the matter to urge
the adoption OF the amendment, and to a
column editorial calling upon the people
to vote "accept," must be attributed no
small share OF the glory Of the victory OF
"reject" But we will leave the Journal
out, lest we be accused OF professional ia
voritism.
1t is a matter OF common knowledge
that Psnthegoras OWEN assured the city
Democrats, including CLpHURNIA COM
STOCK, that they need not concern them
selves about raising funds to defeat the
amendment, that the country towns would
take care of the matter. 1t is also matter
OF common knowledge that when Chair
man DoRSEY OF the city committee de-
clining to abide by Chairman OWENS
suggestion of policy OF quiescence,
started out with his subscription paper
all checks to be made TO CAIPHUR-
MIA CoMsTooK, as will be recalled,
he found to his dismay that Chairman
OWEN had been the rounds before him.
And to this fact he hastily attributed
Chairman OWENS sentiments about the
lack of necessity Of any effort on the part
Of the city committee. Chairman OWEN
bad already gobbled the supply of ma
chine oil. How far Chairman DoRNEY's
indignation carried him, or what CAL
PHURNIA CoMsTocK remarked on in
NHy NutNhs iHduc 10 MIN
were as scarce as checks made to
Mr.. DoRNEY, and learned why, his
tory doesn't state because the muse of
history ever aims to MAINTAIN her pages
unsullied. But there is reason to believe
that no mere sentiment will be permitted
to restrain either CALPHuRNIA COM
STOCK or Chairman DoRNEY from
claiming that they, and not Pan
thegoras OWEN with his hat full
OF funds turned bottom up over the coun-
try districts like some bountiiul CERES
did 1t.
A question OF responsibility is always
more embarrassing in victory than in de-
feat. We await with greedy anticipation
the flying OF the fur.