The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-12-10
The Voice of
The People
DIGGING THEIR GRAVES.

Editor Providence News:
For several days l have been intending
10 write YOU. expressing my appreciation
OF your reply TO the letter OF "A Citizen
published in your issue OF the bth inst.
and to also commend you for your manly
defense OF our present board OF fre COM
missioners.
All good citizens OF Providence must BE-
greatly pleased with your steadfast oppo-
sition TO that proposed insidious ordi-
nance which some honest councilman
rightly designated as a piece OF nasty,
snap legislation.
May the God OF Justice bless your ef-
forts. and give you strength and light 10
continue the good fight,
Among our Republican brothers, IL Is a
pity there are not more good men In poll
tics like Messrs. Sisson Cooke. Gushing.
Peterson and Gray-men who dare exer-
else their right 10 citizenship. and who
have the moral courage 10 act in accord
ance with their own best judgment--me
who ere reasonable enough TO obey the
dictates OF their Conscience. regardless Of
the idiosyncrasies of any political clique.
on the commands OF any group OF bull
dozers.
Since learning the wicked animus Of
that pernicious ordinance have dis
cussed the matter with several persons
we'll posted In fire department affairs, and
avery one denounces that act az inimical
10 the city's best interests.
Several OF the persons interviewed de-
clsred that, were Il not for the dread OF
the political machines wrath, they would
emphatically express their appreciation
OF the present chairman OF the fire com
mission. They also said that the council
men and aldermen must have hal little
OF no conception or the time and atten-
tion which Captain Harrington has devot-
cd TO the FIRE department. since he has
been made commissioner-mak person
Al inspections OF the various stations at
night. Sundays, holidays. and at other
unexpected moments; nor did they believe
that the public had any idea OF the fair
ness and lmpartiality Mr.. Harrington has
shown In his dealings with all the mem
bers OF the fire department.
At the Aldrich house ire. which occur
rcd on n cold night about twenty years
ago. Mr.. Harrington attracted my atten-
tion by the determined and intelligent
manner In which he worked. Since then.
have been much interested In him, and
have studied him closely az a fireman and
a citizen.
No ono will dispute that Captain Har-
rington has always been a good honest.
upright citizen. He has been kind To the
poor and afflicted. and even generous and
charitable TO those who have tried to in
JuTt MIN. TIE really ppsSesseS ana pItF-
tices the domestic virtues TO an eminent
degree. To his invalid wife. he has been a
devoted husband. Toward his family, he
has ever been n kind. indulgent father.
Suffice IL 10 say that In his home he is
the ideal Christian gentleman.
These facts will give the people some
idea OF the reason why the political
clique are silent when they are challenged
20 bring q single charge against the man,
whose unblemished record in the city's
service extends over n period OF some
thirty years.
I am sorry that Mr.. Harrington must be
sorry for his family. and sor-
ry for the city which must lose the SER
vices OF most competent official. but let
us hope that these Machine City Fathers
shall soon have dug their own political
graves so deep that neither they nor
their Internal machine can ever he resur-
rected
ONE WHO SUPPORTS THE FIRE DE
PARTMENT.
December 10th 1905