The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-03-09
Sharp Rebuke Administered
to the Authorities Of
This City Last Week.
Judge Rogers Was Indignant at
the Insult Offered to the
High Court.
THE RING METHODS CRITICISED
Two Jurors From This City Acknowledged
That They Did Not Pay Their Own Personally
Property Taxes-Notes About the City.

A sharp rebuke was given to the authori-
ties of this city last week by Judge Rogers
of the high court. Two weeks ago a num-
ber of citizens of this city were drawn to
serve upon the jury at Providence. Among
them were certain personal property voters
who, in the presence of the judge, ac-
knowledged that they did not pay their
own personal property taxes, nor ala they
know who did pay them. This admission
clearly disqualified them in the eyes OF the
law and the opinion of the judge from
serving as jurors.
One of the men sent from this city last
week tried at first to evade serving on the
pretext that, being Frenchman, he could
not understand the evidence sufficiently
well to be able to form proper judgment
upon the evidence given. When, how
ever, he informed Judge Rogers that he
had been a resident of this country for
eighteen years it was not considered
sufficient cause for his being excused.
Seeing that he would not be excused upon
that point he informed the court that he
was not qualified to serve inasmuch as he
had not paid his personal property tax.
Judge Rogers was surprised and indig-
nant TO hear this admission, and furtner
investigation on his part brought to light
the fact that another person vas
present who who had not paid his
tax. nor could he tell who had paid IT..
Judge Rogers, according to the story OF
Central Folls gentleman who was present,
was thoroughly indignant, and in rather
severe language criticised the authorities
of this city for insulting the dignity OF the
court by sending men as jurors who were
not qualified to perform the duties as
signed them. This criticism OF Judge
Rogers is deserved to great extent, and
ought to be a lasting lesson to the politi-
cal bosses who pay a number Of personal
property taxes in order that the ring may
control the city machinery.
Mayor Gottschalk in his inaugural ad-
dress spoke as follows:
"I once again feel constrained to call
your attention to the manner in which the
personal property list is made up. 1t is
deserving of the condemnation OF every
honest, law-abiding citizen. 1t opens the
way for men to be elected to the City
Council who have not the business or
property qualifications to hold that posi-
ton. The time may yet come when the
city of Central Falls will have cause to re-
gret the placing of men on the personal
property list who have no right to be there.
realize that the padding of the personal
nroperty list is nothing new to either po-
litical party, and that it is done simply to
perpetuate the party in power. 1t is time
that the bona fide taxpayers should call
halt.
"A large percentage of those on the per-
sonal property list have no moral right to
be there. Men are placed on the list who
are known to be without dollar, their
wages assigned, and owing to tradesmen
and others much more than the value Of
the personal property giving them by an
obliging Board of Assessors. Moreover,
many of these men do not pay their own
tax, it being paid by certain political lead
ers of both parties, the tax receipts being
handed to them on or before the day Of
election.
"It simply nullifies the action and wishes
OF the taxpayers, because a large percent
age of the personal property list is under
the control and dictation of few poll
ticians."