The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-11-22

To THE EDiroa or The NEWS:
sIR-In your issue OF goth inst. you ask fol
my motive in signing the nomination papers
OF independent candidates for members of tho
city government from the First Ward. / viii
tell you as briefly as possible: 1 believe it i
essential to thoroughly. honest. efficient and
economical administration OF the business OF
q corporation rs large as the city Of Provir
dence. that the direction and the executive
control of its affairs DO taken from partisan
agents and political cliques. and placed In tho
hancs or business men selected simply and
solely for thoir fitness for the work required
L hayo not the faintest idea whethcr The
president. vice-presidonts. treasurer, secrs.
tary, directors aud superintcndents Of the
Consolidated Railroad are Republicans or
Democrats. nor do l believe that n single
stookholder knows or cares what their politi.
cal views are. or would dream OF having them
elected or removed. because OF their political
views. Will you kindly indicate in what
respect tho city OF P.ovidence differs from the
other corporation referred To. so far as the
administration of its affairs il concerned.
How successfully do you suppose the road
would be managed and run IL its directors
and officers were fought for every year Ivy the
Republican and Democratic stockholders on
party grounds.
/ have never heard that the Republican city
government in Philadelphia was a model of
cleanliness. honesty or economy. No one now
claims that Democratic government OF tie
city of New York has been above reproacb.
IL has bcen pretty conclusively demonstrated
that the Republican party In the Oily OF Now
FORK has maintained its organization. has run
q straight Republican ticket. and defeated
Independent candidates like Mayor Hewitt.
for the purpose of throwing the election into
the hands OF Tammany, and then dividing
the spoils.
1 am glad to say that Providence has a FAR
better record than either o' the cities meg
toned. but then 1t is MUCH smaller, and Is
growing all tho time! Human nature and
political nature are the same in Providence AS
In Philadelphia or New York: and continued
partisan control, IL mattert not OF which
party. will in time produce the same results
here as there.
movement that was at least a step toward
Offering the voters and taxpayers a selection
Of candidates.
Every intelligent man knows that we have
never bad the privilege of selection, except
W nVlDlnhAlOu U0u Dtfn
prearranged by a few political WIRE pullers.
Primary meetings and caucuses have been a
farce. The last meeting in the First Ward oc.
cupied. 10 was stated, three and a half
minutes.
Nomination papers offer the only means I
know OF for bringing other names before the
voters than those selected by party managers.
We are told that we must vote for these
fnTNnr6afnad Dan1tAat.. l.-...-
publicans, or because they are Democrats.
Are We children or fools, that we must be led
by "a party string or driven by a party lash
The best commentary upon my statement is
the existing situation. The city OF Providence
Is fortunate enough TO have in office two men
exceptionally fitted for their positions-the
city treasefer and the oyerseer OF the poor.
They are both tried, trusted, efficient officers.
Of all. Would any other corpora.
ton than the city tsink of dispensing with
their services, and supplanting them with
new and untried men Would the city itself
dream Of such action. but for the blighting
influence of party spirit? And yet the Re-
party has formally and deliberately.
by the nomination of its convention. at
TO GUST them from their positions.
For what reason? Simply and avowedly be-
eaaso thSy Il DtluOCTatS.
Now. 1t makes not a particle OF difference
TO any citizen Of Providence whether its
or It's overseer or the poor believes
In a tariff for revenue. with incidental protec-
ton. or in a tariff for protection with Incl
revenue, or in a tariff forsrevenue
only: but 1T does affect every citizen OF the
city when able and faithful officers are turned
out of Office by reason Of their views upon
s...-. ..L.-l as-s1- A. $500
best men among rs.
l say frankly that it is a disgrace to my
party TO have taken such a position. especially
at this time when there is n widespread effort
the country to emancipate our |
municipalities from the thraldom Of politics
and politicians. To sustain and support my
party in such an issue / feel would be equally |
. disgrace to myself.
There are honest. honorable, faithful, ex. |
and public spirited men in the city |
government: men who place the city's inter. |
est before their personal or their party in
.terests. Such men are invaluable to the city
and should be retained, and new men should |
be elected to take the place of those who are
minded. be they Republicans or
or Independents.
1 hold myself free to vote for the men thatI
all things considered, will BEST serve |
he interests of the city.
In closing, permit me to ask IL ron really
shink you are raising tho character of your
paper or advancing the success Of Jour cause
BY impugning the motives Of men who may be
sincere, or by endeavoring to throw ridieule
Upon or excite prejudice against them. As
OF fact, IL does not prove n man dis.
qualified to perform the duties of q member
'f the Common Council If he wears kid
gloves, or cotton gloves. or If he carries his
in his pockets.
AS you have posted mo conspicuously in
our paper. though. / am happy to say. in the
Of better men than myself-for
which i thank you-may / ask that you will
'ublish in full this reply. which you chal.
= III, ZEs1>s.