The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-29

Republican city headquarters were
crowded today at the third MONDAY meet
ing OF the week. about 100 being present
to listen to a speech by James j. Nolan.
The meeting began early and the lnnch
gave out at thes same time. so that late
corners were shut out OF the usual feed
and deprived of the pleasure OF hearing
the shortcomings OF Mr.. Miller exploited
by the speaker.
Mr. Nolan poached upon Mr.. Gladding's
preserves by throwing a few boquets az
Mr. Durfee. Mr.. Nolan said.
I'm his speech Of yesterday Mr.. Ghdd-
ing considered some OF tho reasons why
Mr.. Durfee. Republican candidate Tor
mayor, should receive the support or IN
dependent citizens IN the election TO be
held Nov. 4. Today we Will devote some
time 20 a review Of the public career OF
Mr.. Miller, the Democratic Candidate for
that office, and will try TO show that he
is not entitled to the support OF citizens
Of independent thought In politics.
"The assertion Is frequently made by
Democrats that members OF the Repubi-
can party are subject to a most rigid dis
cipline IN consequences os which the IN
divdual is lost sight OF and the personal
initiative i'm matters OF legislation utter
iy destroyed Assuming that this condl-
Democratic party, we VIII scan the career
OF Mr. Miller while in public life and see
how far he applied the rule Of individual
judgment.
''Nr. Miller entered public life while In
the nelghborhood OF forty years OF age
the prime OF life; ne possessed character
and education and had attained success
at the bar and belonged 90 that party
whose boast is that the individual is given
free scope for the exercise Of his ability.
"His services In the common council OF
this city seemed Go be useful, II Wa may
nudge from the number of committees on
which he served; but II may be here sug-
xested that his colleagues In that body
were Republicans. which fact mas be
considered In connection With his claim
for recognition for meritorious service IN
that body.
There Is nothing 10 show that the per-
sonality OF Mr.. Miller was dominating
one In the councils OF the city even
tnouEh for one ,b Ss he wes S tSo low
er body.
Passing from the council halls OF the
city 20 the larger sphere OF state lcglsla-
tion the record does not disclose that Mr.,
Mlller's services were conspicuous either
in the drafting OF legislation or IN fur-
thering the passage OF beneficial Marty
measures. His first year Is entirely de-
void OF anything moritng attention
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE.
I'm the political years 'q9-s0-si he was
speaker OF the house the Democratic
party having control OF that body during
that time. The doings OF those two lFg-
islatures are not forgotten by tho people
OF this state. and some things were done
20 which Democrats DO not now care 20
refer. aud about which they arc reiuct-
ant 70 be reminded
Mr.. Miller has never been accused Of
active participation IN those transactions.
and no charge is now made that he was
a party 20 that obnoxious and scandalous
legislation, bat he was speaker of me
house, and by virtue Of that o1ice could
have exercised a Tremendous inHuence
upon legislation. m he ~ desired.
There d nothing, however, 20 show
that Mr. Miller's attitude towards that
passive. and under those circumstance
he must bear the respongibilltv or ai
least portion 81 IL resting upon bis
party. and 10 fault can be found by him
IN the people in holding The Democratic
rarty responsible for thar legislation Of
attempted legislation. place q prop1rti1n-
etc share upon the shoulders or MI
'TIe appointed practically the sa,no
committees IN both legislatures as can be-
geen by reference 20 the records. and
and this by speaker Of q party who
has no boss which never feels the party
lash and the members OF which arc Jaid
90 be free and Independent in thoir own
actions. His term a. senator "a Wlthou,
disunctiCn save that Ne was iu synpa.
thy with his party and somewhat promi-
nent IN he proceeding attending what r.
called the 'rumr session
What r. there, I ask IN this record "a
commend Mr. Miller % the independent
Republicans ~ this city? what f. there
IN this record 30 commend him % any oi
our citizens7 Nothing
'1<r. Miller can claim their suagr'