The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-19
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.

Mr. Henry slant, who was one OF the
10 mem bers W no came near rescuing the
Municipal League from an endorsement Of
Mayor McGuinness at is meeting Satur-
day has withdrawn from that Crganiza-
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 known as the Municipal
League OF Pro yidence. fully endorsing its
code OF principles, ard it's purposes OF re-
form upon non part isan lines. AS set forth
In its printed "Declaration OF Princi-
ples," with the sole and patriotic desire
to promote its success in eve y wise and
judicious course in furtherance OF those
principles. i find that its methods are
widely at variance with It's code OF ethics
and do not accord with my personal con-
victions upon ths lines OF bipartisan
reform in municipal affairs. Its profess
sions OF uon-partisan action appear to me
TO be deceptive, Elusive and misleading.
Its action 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, and its fundamental purpose
has appeared to be to secure for that
party q complete and decided control, and
supremacy in the most important offices
OF the city. Previously to the last NUM-
cipsl election the adherents of the Demo
cratic party held no less than six OF the
high 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 subord.-
nate onicials Of like political
faith, too numerous TO mention.
and at that election, throug the inditfer-
ence of many otherwise good citizens re-
garding municipal affairs, and the efforts
of the so-cslled reior:ners. superannuat-
ed sore heads and dissppoin ted perennial
Office seekers, 1t succeeded in eIecting
another Democrat to undertake the task
of Filing the Mayornlty chair of this
great metropolis. 1t has, in my jodg.
ment, proven an infantile and feeble
effort. j do not believe that the time has
yet arrived when 1t Is incumbent 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 to their Offices, but at
the pace We are going Ii Is rapidly ap-
proschinp. The gentleman thus elected
has made many promises of reform upon
various lines, aud has achieved remark
a ble success in their pon-fulfiiiment.
Under his adm inistrstien the tsAes have
unwisely and without good reason been
materially increased, and the municipal
ity has been burden ed with much
larger debt than ever BEFORE with the
prospect OF a still greater increase in the
near future. Under his administration
and by the sdvice ana cooperation of
other officisis Of the city, supported, re-
grst to say, by the Municipal League,
our citizens are todsy 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
DhUOh 1Or kutlr uubl uTehu lDuer MS
administraticn IL has been decided be-
yond question or legal inter vention that
the conract or francnisa between said
electric railway company and the city of
Providence is absolutely Iegsl and bind
ing during he term II 25 years from and
aiteris enactment. am not ready to
believe that the honest, non-psrtisan cit
izeus of this city will again sup
port n man for i,s Mayor who nas
so lamentably failed TO carry out
his promises OF reform, and whose ad-
ininisration has provod Sd barren and
fruitless in beneficient result. neither do
I believe that they will maintain in a
position Of such great resonsitilitv and
ir rfiuence, one who apparently has
noithor the desire nor the courage to
openly rrd c1ndldly declare hiS convic-
iions po the important nsii' Il ques-
,ions " AIch today are agitating the psJ
pie Of this republic throughout its board
ori, ana which present a crisis In
national AFFAIRS unequslled since the
p'rllous days OF 1851.
In view Of the situation presented,
and the rolicy Of the Municipal League
regarding tho methods employed and to
be employed in promoting municipal re-
form, rs indicated by its recent action I
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