The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-07-07
The Voice of
The People


In perusing n copy of the Bawtucket
Evening Times, on June -. l noticed "A
communication signed by "A Citizen"
which l desire to answer, my excuse for
not doing SO before is due to the fact that
/ had no desire whatever TO say anything
at a time when the temper of the popu-
lace might be irritated. and L had no de-
sire TO continue the controversy at that
time.
Being an eye witness OF the trouble I'm
the fifth ward of Pawtucket feel able 10
present the case as IL happened without
catering to or for police commission
In the first place, we must not forget,
the mayor protested emphatically against
the deputies being sent here, and that
protest was endorsed by both branches OF
the city government, as / assume they
believed I'm the old adage, that Files are
not caught with vinegar" and deputies
being sent here would but irritate the
people, especially when they came at the
request OF the United Traction and Elec-
tric company without the usual formality
OF law being observed.
On Tuesday afternoon June 10. one or
the strike breakers" 10 give him his
professional name, saw ft 10 draw his
revolver and shake It in boys face, and
never a protest from the fourteen or fif-
teen deputies who were on board
This happened near George street when
the car was going out, but later he was
arrested at the Main street terminus by
order OF the acting mayor, but not until
Mr.. Brennan had been insulted and
Special officer Mutter had been assaulted
by these exponents Of the law and order
the deputies--and matters were getting
worse as the boys commenced 10 throw
eggs and lemons. Of ancient date. at the
passing cars.
on Wednesday at the same place Paw
tucket avenue and George street. another
strike breaker" seized a switch Opener
and lourishing II wildly volunteered TO
lead the deputies against the Sons OF
B-s'' and shameful 10 say, these
deputies still took no action other than
silent one. until later. when, without
warning. they commenced firing Into the
crowd. and the people were wild.
We now pass on TO the eventful Thurs
day, and while i do not wish 10 be placed
on record as favoring such conduct as
occurred, / say men could not do other
wise than resent the cowardly action
OF Deputy Welsh. when he fired on tee
boy When the boy fell, all regard for
law seemed 10 vanish, and was replaced
by the sympathetic parental feeling OF all
who saw the dastardly deed committed.
and the mob had control.
Respectable men and others rose en-
masse, and showed their disapprobation
In n substantial way. and drove them
out OF town, proving conclusively that the
mayor was correct. and the city govern
ments surmise was correct, that their
being here would cause trouble.
In regard 10 the ungentlemanly and
vicious charge against our mayor, made
by "A Citizen" will say, the mayor has
the respect OF rich and poor alike In our
city IL only for the consistency with
which he worked for the interests of the
masses and not the classe but II would
Ia III. g.. IL
conduct TO escape without leaving few
sore-heads 20 mallgn him.
Ina The Times of the l4th inst, I read
Mr.. Vice President Perry's reply TO the
question, What attitude the United Trac-
tion company would take toward the peo-
pie of Pawtucket," and in the column and
one-half that he used in The Times. there
are not four lines relating 10 the question,
the rest being reserved TO insult and
villify the cause OF all his troubles, I'm
ported strike organizers and strike
mayors"
1t is a surprising thing 10 me that when
Mr. Perry is discussing imported troubles,
he does not revert to the importol strike
breakers, and II appears to me that he rs
also very ungrateful, as that fellow who
came here TO take a strikers place, came
duly accredited with being a deserter
from the United States army, and still
the man he had befriended Mr.. Perry.
made no effort TO vtndicate him. but sent
him into n crowd OF Pawtucket despara-
does, headed by a Strike Mayor" TO
meet a terrible end.
High Sheriff White must have been IN
an awful state OF mind when he dictated
the vindications of his deputies, az he
thought, or his imaginations would never
have carried him so far. and he woulu
have taken especial care that his letter
did not appear on the same page and Issue
with Mr.. Perry's, lest we might suppose
he was working IN conjunction with the
United Traction company TO villify an
honest man.
In conclusion, permit me to say. that
notwithstanding the advocacy of a police
commission by "A Citizen" and the Perry
objections to a Strike Mayor" so long
as he conducts himself in the same hon
est, upright manner. he has shown I'm the
past and make enemies OF this kind. he
has the confidence OF his fellow citizens,
and the gratitude OF organized labor. for
his action on the Eight Hour law Is ex-
pressed by all labor men with Whom
come in contact.
Mr. Editor, you will excuse me, but
could not say less, but the wage earners
will ever have a kind word and a warm
heart for their true friend. John j. Fitz-
gerald. III. V. MILLS,
800 East Avenue, Pawtucket.
EACH HIS SHARE.
Editor Providence News:
According TO the statement OF "The
Sunday Journal" tho strike of the
conductors and motormen. as far as Prov
idence Is concerned is over. And who
would dare question any statement made
by THE Journal" that earnest. fearless.
outspoken and unfolding friend (O of
labor, whether organized or unorganized.
unorganlzed.
In Mr.. Henry f. Tiepke's communica-
tion 10 President John w. Arno, he Is
quoted as saying;
your members being financially ex-
hausted but surrounded by thousands
upon thousands OF friends. can well afford
20 resume their former employment. and
await with composure the final Judgment
OF the law"
Now. Il seems 10 me that the above
quotation from Mr.. Tiepkes letter is
well worth consideration. II the issues
which led 20 the strike were thoroughly
understood, would IL not be safe TO as