The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-01-12

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urer, George e. Nicholas; Members of Ex-
ecutive Committee for three years, Bernard
T. Lennon and N. Howard Easton; Board
of Arbitration, Olney Arnold, Isaac Shove,
William II. Haskell, l.. j. Tuck and John
Z. Judson.
Previous to the election the President
read his annual report, which was a very
able document and indicated close atten-
tion to public affairs. Following Is the
substance of the paper:
President Gofrs Address.
In opening President Goff dwelt at some
length upon matters of National and in
ternational importance. Touching upon
the caucus question he said.
Under our present system the people
cannot express their wishes, for Mayor
or any of the other city officers. There is
opportunity for only part to have voice.
The ward rooms are to small, and the
caucuses are packed in the interest OF this
or that candidate, and there Is no oppor-
tunity to make selection, only as be-
tween two or three candidates, who have
perhaps been instrumental in packing the
caucus.
The people do not make the selection
only i'm this sense, and they never will un-
til the law regulates the caucus.
The standing advice to good citizens,
to do their duty at the primaries, Is all
well enough, but under existing con-
ditions il is of little avail for good citi-
zens to attend such meetings. Boss tactics
and boss methods are supreme in such
gatherings, and there is no law nor au-
thority adequate to suppress such methods,
or to protect the good citizen in the exer-
else of his right.
A law, that after nominations are made,
will prevent such fragrant violators of pro-
priety and of confidence placed in the
ward committees by the voters OF the
wards, as were witnessed last October,
when, after nominations had been fairly
made, and concerning which there was no
dispute, the Republican ward committees
placed counter nomination papers in the
field, in some instances, bearing the names
of the fairly defeated candidates.
We have law providing for the pay
ment of the poll tax, and penalty for its
non payment, but there are thousands OF
such taxes in our State unpaid and there
has never been an attempt to enforce the
penalty, and i doubt very much that a
majority of such voters know of the PEN
atty.
The law in regard to the personal prop
erty voter is grossly abused and should be
amended. Mayor Gottschalk has dwelt at
length on this subject. and agree with
him when he says, ga large percentage OF
those on the personal property list had no
moral right to be there" and commend
his remarks to our Board of Assessors and
urge upon our legislators the necessity for
revision of the law.
That there is immediate need for legisla-
tion in our registration and election laws
is evident.
regret to say that an impartial review
OF the past year shows little.if any inn
provement in the administrative depart
ments Of our city.
1t Is obvious from considerations like
these that the next great political reform
Gus system. Unless this is done, other re-
form movements fail of their highest sue
cess.
The Liquor Laws
1t is common talk that the liquor law is
being violated daily; that there are many
places, which, in addition to main en-
trance, have rear entrances and private
rooms, provided with tables and seats, and
that liquor is served to persons of both
sexes. The selling of liquor has been de-
fined by the laws of the State to be legiti-
mate business, and It is carried on under
rules and regulations prescribed by the
laws of the State and the ordinances of the
city.
The dealer in liquor, who conducts his
business in accordance with the law, and
the restrictions he agrees to when taking a
license, has right to demand protection
equally with persons engaged in any other
kind of business, and against such, with
the laws of the State as they are, have not
a word to say.
But the dealer in liquor who disregards
the law, who conducts his business in
open violation of it should be treated just
as other law breakers are treated. Why is
it that there has been no attempt to en-
force the law? Politics.
The manner of appointment of License
Commissioners is open to criticism. There
should be rotation i'm office and the term
Of service graded, and a neglect on the
part of the commission to take action re-
garding known violation should be treated
as misdemeanor, warranting removal.
A Grave Situation.
II OH bIc NdTlOuS Stdtciutnts
the financial condition of our city can be
relied upon, we have been running behind
hand at an alarming rate, and the sugges-
tion for an increased tax rate for the COM
ing year awakens us to the gravity of the
situation and the work to be undertaken
by the new administration.
1 have always contended that the city
would get better results, II certain COM
mittees and commissions to perform GER
tain work, to investigate certain subjects,
were appointed outside the City Council
may be wrong, but cannot see why a
committee from the non-office holding
class, appointed to investigate, and report
on a subject the members are familiar
with, could not with propriety sometimes
be appointed.
II has been said many times during the
past year that 1t has been almost impossi-
BILE to ascertain the exact condition of the
finances. i can see no reason why the
books OF the city cannot be kept as a busi-
ness corporation keeps its books; why
Il