The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-02-13

as disgraceful proceeding and one tnat
he believed was for political purposes
only. He referred TO tho soothing or the
outraged feelings Of the man who brought
about the investigation or the purchasins
agent by the recent appointment OF TINS
member OF the school committee 10 the
state board OF charities and corrections.
THE number of the proposed commission
ers was discussed by the speaker and ne
advocated a small number OF men ana
= salary he said, would make II more
Desirable TO men OF ability without being
o serious halt TO attract the small pom
ticlans. In discussing the manner or the
election he said the ward lines snould
be ignored and recommended the appoint
ment by the mayor to the league Tor con-
sideration. .
vo,, "a interest yourself in the school COM
yntssion. His remarks were received by
a burst OF applause.
PROFESSOR WILSON.
Professor George G.. Wilson or Brown
university was the next speaher % a
nrefaoed his remarks by stating that ne
was a member OF the school committee
and after Mr.. Philbricks statements ne
AID not know whether he had better apolo-
oiye for IL or not. He reviewed tne recent
o.c,Ions az the school committee, brins-
,ne ont some of the evils he had found
ana referred to lack OF publicity as one
az the worst features. IL Is very Gill
cult TO find out what is done py the coili- c
mittees sometimes and this Is true eve.
though every inquirer Is a member OF
the committee. - ..hooi
ua told how members OF the scnooi
oonmIttee were sometimes buried IN
committees with scarcely any OF else
only unimportant committees TOT va
rions reasons. and regarding some or the
strong divisions in writing as possibly
pure coincidence"
The bin for the school commission
now before the judiciary committee Oh
the house OF representatives, ne char-
acterized as very creditabie measure.
.It provides for an election by the people
az large. but I think to have an cleo
ton this year would be rather un-
fortunate"
Regarding the plan for compensating
school commissioners, he said that there
were plenty OF men that would be glad
TO take the office with salary or 700.
This sort OF a man was not wanteu
though he said, "for there are plenty or
men who have served In the school COM
mittee for years who would willingly
take that sort OF position without pay.
II can find no fault with that bill. the
only SuTpIlst IL tHdt 90 soOu hicoo
ure should be presented to the iegisla-
ture."
CAUCUS REFuRM
THE reform OF the caucus act" was
next discussed by George A. Jepherson.
who is a well known advocate OF caucus
reform from the Sixth ward.
Mr.. Jepherson told OF the way that the
caucus plan had degenerated from its
original idea and referred TO the dicta-
torial ways OF the ward committee. who
named its ticket at the 11th hour, and
II there Is any opposition the ward COM
mittee. by the judicious use OF the word
''boter" and "sorehead" fairly drives
the voters into line
Mr.. Jepherson advocated the use OF
Australian ballot at caucuses and an
nounced his opposition TO the great
power swung by the ward committee,
which should, he said. be instructed "a
place the name OF any man on the bal
lot when instructed TO do so by a suf-
ficient number Of voters. The speaker
then assumed a number OF objections,
and ably answered them.
II the ward committees candidates are
truly the candidates OF the people le,
them prove such In a fair vote. II they
are the choice Of the people and prove
so we will withdraw.
There was a collation. OF coffee sand
wiches crackers and cheese and ther
there was n general discussion OF tn,
caucus act. every one being In favor Of
reform, but several different plans bein,
advocated.