The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-04-06

There were GOO people and no moro, at
Infantry Hall last night to listen To the
arguments in behalf of the Democratic
candidates for the Assembly
Mr. A. G, Barstow presided and his
speakers were Mayor McGuinnoss
Colonel X. III. l. Goddard, Honorable
Rathhonc Gardner and Mr.. Burbank.
On the stage were MIR. Charles II. Car
pcnter Mr.. Farquhar Macrue, Mr. Charles
H. Sisson, Mr.. Ezekiel W. Clarke, Mr..
John NJ. Rounds, Mr. Howard O. Sturgcs,
Rabbi Blanstoin, Rev. w. G.. Sclleck, MIR.
samuel Ames, Mr.. Alfred Dawson, Mr..
Robert T. Brown. That long and dis
tinguished list of vice presidents as pub
lished in The journal this morning did
not materialize in the iiesh, either ON the
platform or i'm the audience
Secretary Thomas w. Bicknell Of the
League took his seat i'm the very center of
the hall and very clcverly managed the
applause 50 that at no time did enthusiasm
seem to be lacking He was assisted by
Councilman Bullock who sat in the left
section and about dozen rows in front
of Mr.. Bicknell and also by Democratic
National Committeeman ComstOck who
stationed himself just beyond the door
on the east side Of the hall. The results of
this arrangement for applause were most
satisfactory.
by way of introduction Chairman Bar
stow said that the meeting was the out
come of the Indignation meeting held
two years ago in the same place. Then
he introduced Mayor McGuinness.
The mayor reviewed legislation of the
last two years but his address was lacking
in the suggestion of elOquence which
usually characteriZes his public speeches.
The mayor always appears TO better adj
vantage as an aftor-dinner speaker than
on the platform.
Mr. Burbank as usual made an asinine
exhibition of himself and indulged i'm
more 81 that cheap tlattery ai- the mayor
which has so frequently made him ridicu-
lous at the session of the Board of Alder
men. He referred TO him as the bright
consummate flower of the good govern
ment party.
Colonel Goddard was listened TO with q
great deal of interest and his speech was
digniflod and logical with just enough
wit. But hes said nothing which has not
been said before and insisted upon by his
Republican opponents.
He declared for home rule for munici
palities and denounced the legislature
Tor interfering with the city of Proyi.
dencc
lie stated that he was not opposed &c
political organization, but on the other
hand declared such organization To he
absolutely essential. But, he said. let that
organization be honest and decent, and
SO say his opponents in tomorrows con-
test at the polls.
Hon. Rathbone Gardner was the last
speaker ana shared with Colonel Goddard
the honors of the evening, 50 far as saying
something worth listening TO was con
corned. The Hon. Mr.. Gardner, however,
was not strictly fair. He denounced tho
transfer bill passed by the last Legislature
and in the same breath he denounced the
delegation from this city TO that lcgisla
turc. But he did not say that there were
nine of those city Assemblymen who
voted against that transfer bill
He also referred Co the new rules of tho
House of Representatives and went on e
discredit them by telling of hasty legisla
tion in tho Senate, carried out in spit,
Of the rules.
There was concert during the evening
hy Reeves orchestra.