The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-20
THE EIE.PASSED AT
DEMOCRATIC MEETING.
Lively Session of City COmmittee--Mr.
O'Brien Heatedly Denied State
ment of Alderman West.

There was "hot time" at the meet
ing OF the Democratic city committee,
which was held in Gelbs parlors last
evening. The main subject discussed
was the alleged failure Of the chairman
to raise funds for the last election.
The meeting was called to order by
Chairman McNamee. and there were
about 40 members present. The first
business was a motion made by Mr.. i.
7. Mullen To bring about a change in
the organization of the city committee.
SO that each district of the city should
have three members on the city COM
mittee. This would make a members
ship OF 60 for the % districts. Each dis
trct should have it's own chairman,
and the 23 chairmen should constitute
an executive committee or the city
committee.
After some rather Informal and heat
ed discussion the motion was defeated
by vote of q to 3.
Mr.. Higgins then said that the time
had come to discuss the recent election,
and the fun began. He addressed the
chair and said 10 Mr.. McNamee. now
will you render an account Of your ste
wardship and state whether you have
betrayed your party or have been
faithful to the trust reposed in you"
Chairman McNamee replied that he
was glad TO be afforded an opportunity
TO explain his position. He said he had
often been accused OF being under the
influence OF this or that man. Mr..
OBrien had said that he had received
$500 TO sell out his party.
Mr.. Todd interrupted to say that this
was a trifie personal.
Make him sit down." exclaimed Mr..
West
Il am personally interested" said
Cant you keep order" said Mr..
West
Lets see you keep order" retorted
Mr.. Todd. Several members ried TO
speak at once, but order was finally re-
stored.
Mr.. McNamee then explained that
Mr.. Bassett had misunderstood him in
regard to the meeting al Narragansett
hotel. He had telephoned Mr.. Bassett
after he had explained everything TO
him and Mr.. Bassett had said that Mr..
Comstock had attended TO the matter.
He then called up Mr. Comstock and
found that II had not been attended TO,
but that Mr.. Comstock would If he
wished. Mr.. McNamee's name was
therefore used on the notices.
Mr.. O'B.<sn had come in during the
speech and Mr.. McNamee repeated his
assertion that Mr.. O'Brien had said
that he had received $500 TO sell out his
party. Now. IL any man has anything
to say, let him stand up right now and
say IL here before me-" said Mr.. Nc
Nance. This was received with ap-
plause.
Mr.. O'Brien Immediately arose, and
said th<r he had made no such state
ment. It was a lie.
'"Didn't you make sucn a statement
on Valley street before election?"
Mr. Todd attempted to speak and Mr..
McNamee threatened TO nave him put
out.
Don't lose your head" said some-
one.
"rm not losing it," said the chair
man.
mo. You lost 1t long ago" retorted
Mr.. Todd. Mr.. Todd then declared that
in justice to MIR. y f'rieu, the chairman,
having made the accusation, should
produce the name of the man TO whom
he made the statement. This receivu1
warm applause. Mr.. West interposed.
81 am the man." he SAID.
Then the statenSent you have given
out is a deliberate lie" said Mr..
O'Brien. ''and If you want it any
stronger'-the remainder was lost in
the burst of applause. Yes. you are
a liar" continued the speaker. crossing
the floor towards the alderman from
the Tenth ward. BY this time Mr..
O'Brien was close TO Mr.. West.
Don't lose your head" he exclaimed.
Keep your place" called the chair
man. You can talk from your place
just as we'll" For a moment there was
some excitement, but Mr.. O'Brien re-
turned to his seat. Here a member
from the Tenth ward arose 10 speak.
"Sit down." thundered Mr.. West. The
member sat down.
Mr.. Lannon then arose and desired
the statement made by the chairman
as coming from him. II said IL was
your duty to go with Mr.. Conlstock and
isn rnAnnN and the nAnr