The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-11-02
Fellowship of Democrats
is for Municipal League.
No Room for Anybody Else in
That Organization.
Mr.. Henry S. Taft Resigns, and
Tells Mr.. Bicknell Why.

p1r. Henry slant, who was one of the
ID mem bers who came near rescuing the
Municipal League from an endorsement of
Mayor McGuinness at is meeting Satur-
day has withdrawn from that crganizs-
tion and in the following letter nd
dressed TO Secretary Bicknell he tells
why:
THOMAS W. BIcKNELL, ESQ.,, Secretary
Municipal League,
DEAR SIR became a mem Der CT the
organization KIN own as the Municipal
League OF Pro vidence, fully endorsing it's
code OF principles, and it's purposes OF re-
form upon non part isan lines, as set forth
In its printed "Declsration of Prinoi-
pies," with the sole and patriotic desire
to promote Its success in evs-y wise and
judicious course in furthersnce OF those
principles. ! find that its. met hods are
widely at variance with its code of ethics
and do not accord with my personal con-
victions upon ths lines OF non partisan
reform In municipal affairs. Its profess
sions OF non-part isan action appear to me
to be deceptive, Elusive and misleadin
It's scticn upon many OF the important
questions brought before 1t has in my
opinion been inspired and supported by
the Democratic party and its pronounced
adherents, ana it's fundamental purpose
has appesred to be to secure for tnat
party q complete and decided control, and
supremacy in the most important offices
OF the city. Previously to the last NUM-
cipai election the sdherents OF the Demo-
cratic party held no less than six of the
highest Offices in the gift OF the city,
namely, the city treasury. city messen-
ger, judge OF probate. deputy chief OF po-
lice, overseer OF the poor and har-
Dor master, together with sub3rd.-
nate ofncials OF like political
faith, too numerous TO mention.
and at that election, through the ind iffer-
ence of many otherwise good citizens re-
garding municipal affairs, and the efforts
Of the so-cslied relorners. srperannuat-
ed sore hoads and disappoin ted perennial
Office seekers. IL succeeded in eiecting
another Democrat to undertake the task
of filing the Mayoralty cnsir OF this
great metropolis. II has, In my judg.
ment, proven an infantile and feeble
effort. / do not believe that the time has
yet arrived when it Is incnm hent upon
the citizens OF the city TO establish a
kindergarten school In the city hall to
instruct it's officials In the primary func-
tions pertaining 10 their offices, but at
the pace we are going 1t Is rapidly ap-
prosching. The gentleman thus elected
has made many promises OF reform upon
various lines, and has achieved remark
ole success in their non-fulflilment.
Under his som inistrstjon the tsAes have
unwisely ami without good reason been
materially increased, and the municipal
ity has been burden ed with a much
larger debt than ever before, with the
prospect OF a still greater increase in the
near future. Under his administration
and by the advice ana cooperation of
other officials OF the city, supported, / re-
gret to say, by the Municipal League,
our citizens are today deprived OF their
rightful privilege Of free transfer tickets
over the electric railways within our
borders, and this hardship falls espec-
tally upon that class Who toll with their
hanos for their daily bread Under his
ad m inistration II has been decided be-
yond question or legal inter vention that
the conract or franchisa between said
electric railway company and the city OF
Providence is absolutely legal and bind
ing during the term II % years from and
after IS enactment. am not ready to
believe that the honest, non-psrtisan Cit
liz sus OF this city will again sup
port a min for its Mayor who nas
so lamentabIy failed to carry out
his promises OF reform, and whose ad-
has proved so barren and
fruitless in benefciept result, neither do
] believe that they Will maintain In a
position Of such great resonsibility and
In influence, one who apparently has
neither the desire nor the courage to
openly nud candidly declare his convic-
tions po, the important naticnsl ques-
tions wnich today are agitating the pei
pie Of this repu Dlic throughout its board |
ors, ana which present a crisis In
national affairs unegusllod since the
psrilous days OF 1851.
In view OF the situation presented, |
and the policy Of the Municipal League
regarding the methods employed and TO
be employed in promoting mum icipal re-
l.. H.