The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-09-13
WILL THE LESSON BE LEARNED?

Experts in the methods of war in the Occident frankly admit
they have learned many valuable lessons from the recent conflict in
the Orient. Late reports from Japan indicate that Occidental experts
in political methods can also learn a profitable lesson in the matter
of local selfgovernment from the people who m ruled by a mikado
In the Orient and who do not enjoy the privilege of living in a repub-
lie. "A result OF the recent rioting in Toxic is the resignation of
Adachi, the chief of the metropolitan police of that CITY. This resig-
nation has been hailed with delight by the people, not because they
entertained any in-wil toward Adachi, but because his retirement
meant a recognition on the part of the national government of the
right of the municipality of Toxic to local self-government.
Toxic newspapers contend that the control of the police by a
power beyond and independent of the municipality is repugnant to the
principle OF local sef-governnent recognized and established by the
constitution of Japan. 1t is admitted that a metropolitan police had
its uses during the troublesome times when the Meiji government
ws in power, and when sediion and rebellion were feared, but il. is
asserted, and apparently with sound reason, that such a police admin
istraton has no place in a community that has proven its capacity to
govern itself.
Here is an example Of a people who have always been under
monarchial rule insisting on the same right that the people of the
sovereign state of Rhode Island enjoyed and exercised until thew per
mitted themselves TO be despoied by ringsters and corruptionists
The principle of local self-governnent is the cornerstone of every
enlightened system of government, whether it be a constitutional
monarchy Or a republic. The people of Toxic in rejoicing over the
resignation of Adachi are only vocing the sentiments and antici-
patng the pleasure that will come to the people of Providence when
they too are rid of the misht, incompetent and arrogant foreign
appointed police commission.
In this connection it will be observed bv thinking citizens that
William Jennings Bryan, who has been persistently wrong O oues-
tons of fiscal and other national policies, is distinctly right in his pro-
nouncement in favor of local self government. In his address last
evening before the Jefferson club of Chicago he said:
Every attempt to take authority away from a community and
vest it in some power outside the community contains a certain
amount OF inhdehty to the democratic theory of government. Usually
there is some partisan reason which furnishes the justification, but
no partisan reason can remove a fundamental objection. In some
states the police control of the larger cities is taken out of the hands
OF the people living in those cities and deposited with the governor
OF the state. No matter on what theory this is done. it is not con-
sstent with confidence in the capacity of the people for self-govern-
rent and it is certain to be used as a precedent for a further weak
ening OF the power OF the people to control their own affairs"
Are the Republican leaders in Rhode Island intelligent enough
to take to heart and profit by the lessons given them by an alien
people and by a political antagonist, or are they SO dense and dull
Una. .ney VIII persist IN maintaining and sustaining a miserable coun-
terieit ot police administration in the form of a foreign-appointed
police commission, until Disguised citizens in righteous anger thrust
Z mat commission and chastise the party responsible for its creation
ana 10 Its monstrous incapacity, inehciency and aSninitv?