The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-07-03
HE FIXED THE LIMIT.
Aldermen Angry at the Assumption
of AutOcratic Powers.
BY Petty Official Of P0'ice Department.
Clerk Gardeners High-Mightiness.

an ordinance a little more than n year
ago to the effect that newsboys and boot
blacks should decorate some portion OF
their outer garments with metal badge
upon which would be number, u was
not for u moment thought that any citi-
zen would be obliged TO call on an alder
man to assist him In getting badge for
his son, but such was proven to be the
case.
The substance of the ordinance is, that
any boy making proper application for
badge shall have one, and SO long as he
behaves himself in proper manner, he
can hold the badge during the municipal
year.
There is not n word in the ordinance
limiting tho number of badges and some
members of the Board Of Aldermen are
very much surprised that Police Clerk
William Gardiner should do what tho
ordinance doesn't do and fix the limit
at 600
Since the ordinance has been In force
there has been more or less trouble over
the matter, but the matter was not
brought to tho attention of the aldermen
until Thursday. when Mr.. Alexander p
Linn, who for many years has been
newspaper dealer. called on Clerk Gardiner
and requested that his son be given q
badge.
Mr.. Linn was told by Mr. Gardiner tha
that was the "limit" This reply rather
staggered Mr.. Linn and he began TO argue
the question with MIR. Gardiner. but he
did not get n badge. Mr.. Linn called on
Chief Of Police Baker and told him that
no WAS n citizen of Providence and now
that schools were closed for the season he
wanted a newsboy's badge for his son.
lie was told by the chief that Mr.. Gardi-
ner had full charge of the matter and
that he. the chief. could not interfere Mr..
Linn left the oiiiccmof the chief moro
determined than ever to secure q badge IL
possible. He called on Alderman Nc
Gam. who went to the chief and stated
Mr. Linns case. This did not seem TO
have the desired effect. Tie alderman
made the second trip and so far succeeded
in getting Mr.. Gardiner Co say that il Mr..
Linn's boy would call Saturday and make
the proper application he would try and
make the number OF badges issued "G0l. "
Mr.. Linn was notified last evening of this
change on the part of Clerk Gardiner.
Shortly after the decision in the Linn case,
Alderman Mccarthy called on Clerk Gardi-
ner for newsboy's badge for the son OF a
resident of his ward. lie received about
the same answer rs did Alderman Me-
Gam Tho police clerk said that the
"Jew" boys nearly bothered him to death
and when he made this remark he was
asked by Mr. Mccarthy where applicants
should call for badge If they did not call
upon him. This was n damper on Clerk
Gardeners argument and he finally con-
descended to make the number of badges
issued 602
The aldermen In question do not relish
the idea Of petty official, such as Clork
Gardiner Is. usurping autocratic anthor-
ity They say he has no right or author
ity to say how many badges shall mo issued
nor who shall have them, so long as the
application for the same has been made
he. ksaw-
also say that in his high mightinoss
Gardiner has told boys who have applied
for badges that they must sell papers In
certain districts. and in this matter they
declare he L. acting without the shadow
OF Justification rs he has no more right
to tell the boys whore they shall sell their
papers than he has to tell their parents
where they shall live. According TO the
aldermen, Clerk Gardiner fails to appre-
ciate the fact that he Is servant and not
"a dictator.
Chief of Police Baker told Alderman
McGann tnat in Mr.. Linn's case he aid
not like the idea Of Mr. Linn coming into
his Office and demanding a badge, but
Mr.. Linn says in turn that he was not
over and above "stuck" on the manner
In which he was received by Mr. Gardi-
ner, and that his feelings were inst as
fine as Mr. Bakers or Mr. Gardeners.
Law for Dictator Gardiner.
The city law department has made the
following decision In relation to the sub
ject
I. That the act IL mandatory.
2 That every boy who brings proper
credentials as TO character and school at
tendance, is entitled TO badge on de-
mand.
3. That there is nothing in the ordi-
nance which limits tho number OF badges
90 be issued
4. That the officer who gives out the
.iadges has no authority 10 say where
papers shall DO sold. The license Is for
the ontire city.
. That refusal % grant license
properly asked for (see No % would
probably result in the issuing of writ
of mandamus. and that the notion Of the
law department would necessarily be
that the writ could not he successfully
contended against--tbe court would in.
siruct the chief of police TO issue the
license TO tho applicant and the expense
would bs upon tho city.
o. Tho acting clerk il clothed with no
anti-)rity other than that given him by
tho chief, no simply acting rs n recorder.