The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-28

A much larger crowd was IN atten-
dance at the noon meeting az Republi-
can city headquarters today than was
the case yesterday. the room being filed
and standing room was in demand. As
yesterday tempting lunch was served
TO all who cared for It.
The Hon. Melville Bull was tho first
speaker and said since his earliest con-
ception OF political parties he had been
a Republican. There is no place for
political demagogue, he said, and every
man who seeks the suffrages OF the
people ought TO plainly define where he
stands
The speaker wished II distinctly un-
derstood that he stood upon the plat
form and principles set forth in the
platforms of the Republican party for
nearly half a century. In the Repubh-
can platforms OF 1855 10 1902 would be
found his declaration OF principles.
Continuing the speaker said that he
was opposed to all unlawful corporate
combinations and conspiracies. and he
could only be a demagogue who would
charge the Republican party with re-
sponsibility for all the unlawful mono
polies OF the land. He pledged his hearty
support TO any proper measure tending
10 condemn any such combination.
In closing Col. Bull said he was un-
alterably opposed 10 the financial prin-
ciples OF the Democratic party and
that he would be pleased 10 reply to the
platform adopted by Mayor Granger at
the Republican mass meeting In New
port next Friday evening.
Mr. GLADDING's SPEECH.
Mr.. Royal II. Gladdlng was the second
speaker and particularly addressed the
Independent voters of Providence. lie
said:
1.-The independent voters OF Providence
have an excellent opportunity in the
present mayoralty campaign To show
that they are sincere, practical. sensible
men. Tor years an immense body OF
citizens comprising both Independent Re-
pubucans and independent Democrats.
have argued and voted for the Indepen-
dent Democratic candidates for mayor.
namely, McGuinness, Baker and Granger.
because OF the belief that they werc men
fearless. upright and OF marked ability
This year conditions have changed.
and IL Is the Republicans who have nomi-
mated man OF those principles and
characteristics. It therefore, behooves
the Independent voter to support tho Re-
publican candidate. especially IL he be-
lieves. as thousands do. that the matter
OF party ought not TO enter into the Sc
lection of candidates for cEy Offices at
all. but that like the officers OF other
business corporations they should be
chosen for merit and character alone
1T is especially incumbent ,i,on those
who claim TO be Independent Eepubli-
cans. n they wish TO retain influence, end
give proof OF their sincerity TO show 10
the citizens that they are not OF that
class OF Independent Republicans who
always vote the Democratic ticket" but
that WREN the machine dos put forward
q clean. upright, courageous, capatle
man they VIII give him consistent and
earnest support
''Ths speaker has taken pains 10 ex-
anime into the legislative record OF Mr..
Durfee for the past three years and he
has found IL an excellent one. Although
Mr.. Durfee Is not great speaker and Is
too modest gentleman 10 push himself
forward IN any way, he has made. a con
sistent endeavor 10 stand up for what III
believed 20 be right without fear or IA
tor
'-The remark was made In the journal
recently that he was member OF tht
committee on corporations which was
noted for allowing matters which wer,
properly creased 10 slide through easily.
subject TO corporate influence, let m,
cite one or two instances. In March, 1901
when a majority OF his committee recon-
msnded passage In concurrence OF an act
20 incorporate the Sprague and Sissor
Graphite company. Mr.. Durfee immedi
ately arose and moved 10 strike out
provision in the act which exempted from
attachment the stock or shares OF the N.
corporators. their successors and assigns
although the chairman and Col. Armirg'
ton, afterwards speaker. strongly urged
passage.
AGAINST CONTRACT.
Ills attitude In voting against the ratl,
Acation OF the 30-years' contract betWser
the Union railroad and the Da i.elsor
road. and against the provision IN the
transfer ticket act providing for It's &C.
ceptance by the railroad company, before
it became operative. are a few OF thl
striking instances OF Mr.. Durfeo's cour
age and high legislative standa -ds anc
his belief in restraining corporation
This attitude rxplains one sentence IL
his letter OF acceptance which has beer
severely criticised In some quarters. Al
luding 20 the fact that the mayoraltl
nomination came 30 him unsought hr
purfee says, IL elected. ] shall be per
foctly free 20 perform the duties OF tn
effice in full accordance with my view
q what Is proper and desirable and IA.
claim has been made that this was az
avtocratic statement. and an announce
rnent that he should be guided solely b'
his. own opinions. without regard TO tn
Those who have met Mr.. Durfce~ so
cfally. in business dealings or polltca
hfe know that such charge Is perfectly
absurd Mr.. Durfee. while "A man q
FIRM convictions is modest aud unassum
ing and anxious 20 carry out the bos
public sentiment
"Another utterance Of Mr. Durfee'
which has been severely attacked is III
stand I'm regard 90 the police com
mission. He says, ~ emphsticssll
of It's method OF appointment that tool
The police business out of politics. of n
business management that has hrough
IN improved methods OF adminlstratio
and Increased revenue and of its wonder
fui work IN aboishlne illegal practice
that had fourished under the old regime
Now. while many of our citizens ~
not at the time and DO not now believe Il