The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-05-15
CITIZENS DUTIES
FULLY SET FORTH
Fourth Ward Republican Com
mittee viii Boom Registration.
STRONG APPEAL TO VOTERS
Boss Rule VIII Flourish So Long as
Citizens Neglect Thslr
Duties.
STRONG APPEAL TO VOTERS

meeting Of the Fourth ward COMMITTEES.
held last evening at the headquarters OF
the Republican city committee. " wey-
bosset street, for a systematic and thor
ough canvassing OF the ward with view
of securing an increased Republican reg
| istration.
The meeting was called to order by
Chairman John c. Budlong, and Secre-
tary Frank J. Clinton read the call for
the meeting Stirring addresses were
made by Attorney Henry c. Cram, who
| made strong plea for increased registra-
tion and greater interest in political at
fairs. and Assistant City Solicitor Baker,
The latter said in part:
POLITICAL IMBEcILEs.
| The subject OF registrotnon is the
! pertinent matter which has brought you
| together. II is no less true for being SO
often repeated that 1T is the duty OF
every citizen to take part in the govern
ment of his country.
| Whatever is Objectionable In American
| government is primarily due to the neg-
lect and dereiiction of duty of those who
consider themselves numbered among the
| best citizens, and yet do not give the aid
| of their voice and influence to the right
determination Of public questions.
The thousands who do not vote and
after election express their dissatisfac-
4 ton with results, are not worthy Of
hearing and should be classed as politi-
| cal imbeciles.
| ANY foreign-born, naturalized citizen
| who votes is, 1 conceive, more patriotic
| and better citizen than the degener-
| ate descendants of Mayfiower ancestry
4 who neglects his political duties to the
1 state and nation.
| The political boss so much inveighed
| against, is the logical result of three con-
ditions In modern political life.
1 First, the neglect of the Individual
duties of those. who, by reason of their
| wealth and sur erior abilities have most
| at stake in the community and their
habit. because II Is easier. of relying upon
| the boss to regulate matters. so that their
private interests shall not suffer.
Second, the existence of a large NUM-
Der of exponents of visionary and i'm
| practicable ideas In the body polite, who
see little good in existing institutions and
wish to experiment with every new the
ory, without regard TO their applicability
to the conditions of the particular COM
munity, and whim the boss circum-
vents and keeps In check.
| Third. the modern demagogucs, whose
sole qualifications for leadership and the
| administration of affairs consist I'm their
desire for Office and their ability to i'm
pose upon the ignorant, and to foment
class and racial prejudices, and the
| remedy for whom is the political axe
| welded by the boss.
BOSSES WILL FLOURISH,
$50 long as intelligent and influential
| citizens will do their duty and lead IN
practical politics. the bosses will flourish.
and all denunciations of them win be a.
idle as the prattle of children.
4 Theodore Roosevelts career furnishes
to my mind the best example OF patriot
ism applied to practical politics Where
he has led, who should hesitate to fol
| low? His whole life Is refutation OF
the charge that practical politics is neces-
sari]y corrupt or corrupting.
| Prom the time of his early manhood
he has always been heard from at the
primary and at the polls. His work has
been and is now an incalculable force for
the betterment of political conditions.
"He is the best type of the modern
| statesman who, actuated by high motives,
endeavors to practically solve the impor-
tant social economic and labor questions
| which now confront us.
These and not the remnant OF the war
In the Philippines are the vital national
matters at present.
with so many important questions be-
fore the people. which must be decided
| right during the next few years, who
but the recreant TO his duty will fail tn
register and vote at the coming elections?
| Anarchism as a theory and In practice
must be crushed by the mailed hand.
The fallacies OF socialism, and the delu-
sion OF labor agitators must be met and
overthrown by reason and common sense
expressed at the polls.
Honest labor must be protected against
the assaults made upon IL by shiftiess
and incompetent labor, and must be paid
its fair reward.
"The relations between capital ana
labor must be improved.
TRUSTS MUST BE REGULATED.
"The trusts must be regulated and con-
trolled Tariffs must be revised. so that
food products and manufactured articles
cannot be shipped from this country To
Europe and there sold for less price
than in this country.
And more than all. tariffs for the pro-
lection OF American labor against the
cheaper labor of Europe must be SO ad-
1usted that IL wifi be impossible for trusts
or large combinations OF capital to man
ipulate the market, hold back the natural
supply OF food products. and Arbitrarily
increase the price OF food to every Ameri-
can consumer.
Corporation were looked upon with
hostility during the first half OF the last
century. and their power was feared IN
anticipation. Although they have now
given abundant reasons for that fear
| through their colossal concentration OF
capital and power. and their greed. and
unreasonable profits which. by means OF
excessive capitalization on paper, unpaid
for and unproductive. have been diverted
chiefly 10 the pockets OF the few. yet 10
! must be conceded that the corporation and
even large corporations must coUknue to
| exist.
To check their legitimate operations
would suspend tho greater part Of the
business OF the whole country and cut
r the demand for labor I'm two.
1T is impossible, however. TO regulate
their affairs by law and by proper ma
tional supervision so that they cannot
with impunity oppress the people"
MIR. Baker urged the need OF reeistra-
ton and the advissbllity OF enlistine
young men I'm the work and stating that