The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-07-19
Are the Interests OF the People
Subservient to Political
Considerations?
IS THs QUESTION NOW ASKED.
Patrclman Hanrahan Arralgned This Morning
on Charge OF Drunkenness-h Furnished
Surety For His Appearance For ...
Trial the 10Th Inst.

Mayor Gottschalk has been compelled TO
adopt another course in the Hanrahan
case, and has taken the matter to tribunal
where justice will be meted out to all par
ties concerned. During the time that DIR.
Gottschalk has occupied the position of
Mayor OF the City of Central Falls he has
honestly striven to enforce the liquor laws
of the city and State, to the very best OF
his ability.
In this endeavor he has been obstructed
by small coterie of unprincipled Repub-
licans who think more OF regaining their
grip upon the city's patronage and offices
than the do in protecting the city's honor
and welfare.
The citizens are asking, How can the
true state of affairs become known to the
public? Officer Hanrahan says that he
was the victim of an assault; Mayor Colts
chalk has preferred charges Of different
nature, and the only way to get at the true
state of affairs is to have an unbiased and
fair investigation of the matter. This is
the conclusion arrived at by almost every
citizen of this city.
The peculiar actions of the Board of
Aldermen who, instead of aiding the
Mayor and Chief of Police, IL any slight
mistake had been made at the proposed
hearing, seemed to take advantage of every
minute particular to block the efforts Of
the police department to enforce its or
dinances and rules. There seemed to have
been feverish desire to take advantage of
the temporary absence of some Of the
witnesses.
The Aldermen are universally condemned
for their action, for the chief reason that
their action was such as to make the in
terests of the people Of the city subservient
to political considerations.
The Aldermen have their defenders, who
score the Chief of Police for having failed
Ito offer such testimony as he could. But
the Chief of Police was not a witness Of
the alleged drunkenness of Officer Hanra-
han. His testimony might all be hearsay
evidence, which not be considered good.
He having testified, and his important
witnesses not having arrived, 1t might
have been decided that there was not evil
dence sufficient to convict. The Chief was
apparently justified in giving his testi-
mony.
1t is argued that there were no charges
before the Board of Aldermen, and the
case should have been dismissed on that
score. 1t is maintained that the commu-
nication of the Mayor was only notice of
the suspension of tho officer for certain
reasons, and that specified charges should
have been filed and a copy sent to the
officer.
Mayor Gottschalk has been SO often
interfered with that he has became tired
OF it, and feeling that he could not depend
upon the Board of Aldermen, came to the
conclusion that the case should be tried
upon its merits.
Saturday afternoon he retained lawyer
Franklin p. Owen of Providence and held
. long conference with him. AS q result
OF it he ordered Chief of Police Goldsmith
to notify Officer Hanrahan IL he reported
for duty Saturday evening to inform him
that he was still under suspension. He
also directed him to apply for warrant
for the arrest of Hanrahan on the charge
of drunkenness on July8.
At 6 o'clock Saturday evening Officer
Hanrahan reported for duty. Chief
Goldsmith notified him that he was under
suspension, and also served the warrant OF
arrest. AS the Mayor nor the Chief de-
sired to prosecute Hanrahan he was not
locked up as prisoner. He was released
on his own recognizanoe to appear before
the court at o o'clock this morning.
n Before Judge Gof, Hanrahan pleaded
not guilty, and the case was continued to
Monday the 26th inst. J. Henry Fales be-
came surety to the amount Of 500.
Funerals Yesterday.
WiIfred Mercier, the young lad who was
drowned in the Blackstone river, Friday,
was buried yesterday afternoon. The re-
mains were taden to Notre Dame Church,
where Rev. FIR. Grattan read the funeral
services. The interment was In the new
French Cemetery, Pleasant View. The
bearers were four young friends of the de-
ceased.
The funeral of Alice Lattimer, the infant
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. George Iattimer
OF Perry street, was solemized Yesterday
afternoon, the interment taking place in
Moshassuck Cemetery. A few weeks ago
the little one contracted the scarlet fever
which afterwards developed into pneumo-
mia with fatal results.
Belonged In This City.
William Hersey, the conductor who met
such an untimely death Saturday evening
by falling from a Crescent Park electric
car, lived on Bagley street, this city. The
deceased was married and leaves a widow
and one child. The remains were brought
to his home on Bagley street yesterday
morning by Undertaken Monohan OF
Providence. Mrs. Hersey, the deceased's
wife is Frustrated by the sudden afilction
which has befallen her.
Ladies' Auxiliary.
At the last meeting of Division No. q, A.
q. H., committee was appointed To form
a Ladies' Auxiliary TO the Society. This
- H.. a..
this vicinity. There Is ono auxiliar,
branch in Providence, but none in any
o.her part OF the State. The committee
consists OF John Black, William waldron,