The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-02-13
Mr.. PhI|brick Tells When Poll.
ticianS Learn the Game.
At THE MUNICIPAL LEAGUE.
Former Member Of School Board Explains
Need Of Commission : Rathhons Gardner,
Prot Wilson and Others Spoke.

The Municipal league Of Providence had
an interesting meeting at Gelbs, 1893
Westminster street. last night. and sew
sraI reform measures were discussed, the
feature of the evening being the revela-
tons OF happenings in the school com
mittee of the city OF Providence by
Charles H. Philbrick who told OF the
political deals and plots which ne op-
served 10 be very much In evidence IN
that body. He referred 20 the recent IN
vestigation OF the purchasing agent or
the school committee as pontcal
scheme. and told OF the efforts OF me
ring which has long controlled the schoois
30 maintain its position.
There were other good speakers on va
rous topics namely the s,aene need or of n1w the
caucus law and after the addresses there
was a season devoted 20 luncheon ana
then a time for. the discussion or tne
caucus law ensued, nearly every one JOIN
inKE HON m Amasa NJ Eaton presided, and
eI s he opitras tsS RgsRRSons gSRRSss GaSne
e New CITY Charter for l2Es PTGvSsHSSs'a SsnS
charter that provides for local self-gov-
ernment in its fullest sense anq respon-
sibility of executives; We lack the 10
He spoke OF the need OF a new charter
TO enable the city TO provide for contln-
propriatins money for the Rhode Island
hospital and the other hospitals. we
should not be required 10 go TO the legis-
money money which the city raises, said he.
"A new city charter is needed TO enable
providence to govern itself. ior no
USED FOR THE POLICE.
* very large percentage OF the money
raised In Providence by taxauon is USE, usGu
for the police department, and recently
was taken out of the hands OF the city.
mo friend OF local self-government can
think that II is proper for commission
to be appointed by power that In out.
side the city TO spend the money raisea SEQ
acts OF officers is another thing needed;
Now all the executive power IL inves.eu
in committees OF both @ nrancnes s rosnone .. one
eible only to the branch OF the council
that appoints them. ~. -.
"The course OF many cities mas peen
TO place the mayor at the head. making
the committees responsible TO the man
elected by the people OF the city"
Incidentally Mr.. Gardner paid tribute
10 the character OF the past few mayors
the city has had. whom he said were OF
higher degree than the average officer and
the people deserted party lines TO place
them In office. Their high character was
of no material benefit to the city. he said
as about all that could be done was TO
appoint a secretary.
at is Just as the governor OF Rhode
Island is n governor In name only. this
power that the mayor has
II don't know whether the people or
Providence care anything about home rule
and municipal reform or not but 90
know that the city would be better on
for them" the speaker stated.
The chairman announced that Mr..
Charles II. Philbrick would speak on the
ssSchool Commission"
MIR. Philbrick stated that there would
probably be no better way to honor the
memory OF Lincoln than In caring for our
school system. for he owed much to the
nttle wooden schoolhouse.
Speaking from his long experience as a
member of the school committee, he
stated that he found that the controlling
body Is too large and the members or
the school committee are not carefully
enough selected. There is too much chance
for differences OF opinion and for blocking
good measures now he fntimated.
NO RESPONSIBILITY.
Leadership without responsibility IS
the bane OF the school committed. and
never in my six years experience have
1 found anyone responsible for extrava-
sance or other evils" said Mr.. Philbrick.
He said that at present the school COM
mittee was the starting point OF many
political careers, the budding politician
seeking there the patronage that Is so
essential for political success. Some
changes IN the evils which existed have
been made already and the teachers now
have voice in the choice or books, the
superintendent and clerk OF school COM
mittee now have time TO do their school
work without having TO electioneer all
the year in order TO keep their position
and the office OF superintendent OF school
property has been created.
Party politics In the school board Is
q crying shame at present and " the citf-
yens would go up there and see how the
Democrats and Republicans line up there
on nearly all subjects, would cause a
storm OF Indignation"
ITO illustrate his point he told the In
side OF several transactions in the school
board which ne saw az close range and
told OF the resignation OF a lone Demo-
cratic member from certain Republican
ward and his subsequent nomination for
a position I'm night school That man
was not elected, but he IL now the sec
ond assistant 20 the purchasing agent.
an Office which has recently been Gre
ated
The recent investigation OF the pur-
chasing agent, which is fresh IN the minds
OF every one, Mr.. Phllbrick characterized