The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-11-09

Governor Garvin has been considering
available material for the police commits
sion ever since the death Of Col. f. +.
Olney and a number of possibilities were
spoken of, each OF whom had a consider
able following, and when IL was an
riounced early last week that the appoint
ment would be made after election the
hopes of these men rose correspondingly.
Then Governor Garvin stated no would
have named DIR. Sullivan II that gentle
man had been IA voter In this city, ana the
suspense was deepened. Saturday came
ana still no appointment was made. ana
then IL was that the wise ones began 10
suspect that the governor had something
UP his sleeve.
A GREAT SURPRISE
He did have. but the nature OF the sur
prise was not even family dreamed OF, Tor
those who had been so free with prophe-
sizes before were stricken dumb for a mo-
ment when the news was announced IL
was contained In the following official no
executive department.:
ITO the Secretary OF state:
Il have this day appointed as men-
ber of the board of police commissioners
for the city OF Providence, TO MI the VA
cancy caused by the death OF Col. +. r:
Olney. Augustus s. Miller 10 serve untll
the next session of the senate, as required
by chapter $50 OF the Public Laws
A similar notice announcing the ap-
pointment of Matthew }. Cummings as
member of the state board of CHARITIES
and corrections, for the vacancy left py
Col. Olney's death. was also hled.
II was stated at the executive depart
ment that as the police commission ap-
pointment was for state orice no aii,,- L
positions, even though salary vas az
tached 10 EACH
IN INTERESTS OF HOME RULE.
Governor Garyin sent a letter to Mayor
Miller apprising him of his appointment
and stating that II was In the interests
OF local self government and home rule.
The letter follows;
Mayor Augustus s. Miller:
MY Dear Sir-In order 10 conform to
the principle of local self government
and home rule the power now conferred
by law upon the board of police commits
sioners for the city OF Providence. should
be vested In It's mayor.
Therefore In so far as | have the au-
thority TO place the power In your hands
i do so this day. appointing you 10 fill
the vacancy upon the board"
This letter was sent at once TO the
mayor after the appointments had been
fled with the secretary OF state.
MAYOR NOT CONSULTED
when appraised Of his appointment BY
The News reporter. Mayor Miller was
greatly surprised lie had been given no
instruction OF the governors intention In
the matter and had not been consulted In
any way.
The afalr was such a surprise he said
that u was impossible 10 state at this
time what course he would take.
1T is a matter" he stated. that needs
a great deal OF thought and before MAX
ing ary definite statement II will be nec-
essary for me 10 have conference with
Governor Garvin."
other than this statement Mayor Miller
could not be induced 10 say anything
further for publication until the import
agt phases OF the situation had been
carefully considered.
That the appointment has occasioncd no
little surprise cannot be doubted. and In
all quarters the matter r. being discussed
extensively. The feeligg among the aver
ege ciii,ens seems 20 be OF satisfaction
that the mayor IL given this additional