The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-02-19
NO CAUSE
Except Politics for Duffy'S
Removal.
Big Petition in Favor of a
Policeman.
Removed From His Post Despite
Efficiency.


these Plantations has there been such
an earnest, spontaneous request made by
responsible citizens for the reinstatement
of patrolmansupon beat from which
he had been removed as the one that was
presented to his Honor Mayor McGuin-
ness last Monday afternoon.
The request was in the form OF a petit
ton signed by every leading merchant
in that part of the city bounded by Wey-
bosset, Custom House. Dyer. ana Dor
rance streets, and the object desired is
the reinstatement of Policeman Peter L.
Duffy, who, a few days ago, was trans
ferred 10 beat in the outskirts of the
city.
The petition represented between sixty
and seventy millions OF dollars, and
nowhere in the list of names it bore was
there TO be discovered political puprose.
IL was presented to His Honor by
well known Dorrance street business man
who was selected from the merchants to
act in their behalf.
The feeling among some OF the signers
towarc the Mayor is not OF the pleasant
est nature, from the fact that he posi-
lively refused TO entertain the petition in
any shape or form, but told the gentle
man that presented 1t that he would not
place Patrolman Duffy upon the beat
again under any circumstances.
One merchant said that he did not care
to interfere with the duties or the actions
OF the Mayor or any city official, "but, I"
he added, "a petition, such as was
sent to the Mayor of the city of Provi-
deSsS IL IS bsn in ron@y my opi51ion at least
Tbs same mecrhant says that the ac-
tioB OF the Mayor in the matter would
doubtless tie influential in securing the
appointing of police commission, and
that, too, by the Governor of the state,
for IL a policeman like Mr.. Duffy, who
bad faithfully performed his duty, could
be rewarded in such a manner il was time
tkat the members of the force hod some
court of redress, end were not left TO be
tossed about like bell to please the whim
of some scheap politician. "And,' con-
tinued the speaker, "when the Mayor of
this city viii remove a man for the cause
alleged, he has got an easy task, for az
near as can be learned Duffy was trans
ferred for the simple reason that he was
not a McGuinness man."
a NEWS representative called upon
several of the merchants in the district
and found that each one of them was
earnest in the request from the fact that
when patroiman Duffy came on TO the
beat four years ago IL was overrun with
thieves, loafers and beats. When was
transferred the district was as safe for
ladies and children as any beat in the
city. While patrolman Hanly, the present
officer on the beat may be a good officer,
and will in time be as valuable as MIR.
Duffy, the taxpayers do not care to be
called upon to pay for the experience of
the officer, "you can say, Mr.. NEWS
that man." added the merchant.
if the Mayor feels inclined to fight
that there are some fighters right here
in this district and that he can rest as
sured that many of US will take off our
coats and see IL the best interests OF the
city are not cared for before thoss of a
cheap politician.
Yesterday the petition was presented
TO Chief of oPlice Reuben II. Baker, who
ICc ,ivedt be committee politely and read
the Tetition. He said that ratrolman
Duffy should feel honored to have such n
petition presented in his behalf, but he,
he chief, was unable TO do anything in
the matter. The CHIEF said that Duffy's
record was good one.
Patrolman Duffy, since his removal, has
heen the recipient OF number OF letters
from mercahnts in the district stating
that they were exceedingly sorry that he
had been removed from the beat, all OF
which tends to put Duffy in happy
frame of mind.
1t has been stated that the Mayor said
that III he was pushed be could prefer
charges aaginst Duffy for talking on his
beat and could produce 20 witnesses TO
prove it. Talking On the beat is prohib-
tied, but 1t is .-thought that His Honor
will have TO go farther than this to do
Duffy any particular harm with the NOR
chants whose interests he has guarded
faithfully and efficiently for four years.
Nobody gives the Mayor credit for any
higher motive in making the removal
than 10 pay off political score on behalf
OF himself and his Democratic friends.
Duffy. 1t isaid, was downed from the
time OF Mayor McGuinness' election.