The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-03-29

"FROM THIS, GOOD LORD, DELlVE
favored the school bin did not take up
all the time. and Joseph Mcdonald. ex-
member OF the house OF representativ
started the opposition. Said he:
''If ] were concerned only In the sue
cess OF the political organization 20 which
belong. would be anxious 10 have these
commission bills enacted into law. be-
cause l am satisfied that the feeling in
my city is so strong against them. with
out regard 10 party, that the organization
responsible for them will meet with the
most sweeping condemnation: especially
when state officers and members of the
legislature come up for election.
But before I was party man ] was
a citizen who believed and still believe,
In the good old American doctrine OF local
control OF local affairs
''rhe violation OF this principle by tho
proposed acts Is so sweeping and radical
that men OF all parties have. for the
time being. forgotten or laid aside party
creeds and stand shoulder 10 shoulder
In defence OF the principle OF local self
government.
MAJORITY OF 10 TO /.
"The people OF Pawtucket are opposed
10 these acts by n majority OF over 10
TO ], and IL they arc passed that opposi-
tion will make itself felt I'm a way that
cannot be mistaken. and the political
turmoil that Will ensue will not be con-
fined 10 Pawtuckct alone.
"If the hackers of these commission
bills were wise they would not add fuel
10 the political dissatisfaction and unrest
that disturb our state at the present
time.
IF they had read history they would
know that there is a limit beyond which
Il Is unsafe for any government 10 go II
such government wishes 20 be retained
in power. and as things are In this state
today II would seem 90 me TO be the part
OF wisdom for the dominant party TO
seek 10 concilate the people instead OF
exasperating them further
"It is we'll known 10 the members OF
this community that there Is large body
OF citizens OF all parties and conditions
OF life who are demanding a constitu-
tional convention, and who insist that
such convention must be called. and n
persistent agitation TO that end is being
carried on.
"rf this legislature. In the face Of the
agitation for a constitutional convention
and the general political unrest that
exists in our state. thinks that the limit
of forbearance has not been reached by
our people IT may take a chance and pass
these bills.
A GANG OF PIRATES.
"1t requires no spyglass TO sec storm
clouds above tho political horizon OF
Rhode Island that bode no good to those
who stand athwart the path OF political
progress. You have IL I'm your power 20
fasten upon Pawtucket. at the behest OF
as corrupt a. gang OF political pirates
as ever looted a city. these bills that
strike at the fundamental principles Of
our government. But IL will not be for
long. because large majority OF our
people. who are opposed TO government
by commissions, are not willing 20 admit
that they have not the capacity for self
government.
what a protest would go UP ~ such
thing were proposed; yet that is just
what you are asked TO do TO Pawtuckct
IT has been represented here that there
IS a great deal OF disorder an Pawtucket
due 10 the inefficiency Of the police force
vet have gone over the records Of our
District court for the past ten years and
find that the police record for the past
five years Is as good as for the previous
FIVE years. The number OF cases before
the court was about tho same. in pro-
portion 10 the population. In each nve-
year period This proves that n tho on
forcement OF tho law has been lax during
the past hve years ~ was lax during the
FIVE years previous. when no complaint
was made: also N the law was we'll en-
forced during the fist five wears II has
been well enforced during the past five
years.
BTTTEREST PIECE OF IRONY.
This claim about the lax enforcement
OF law has been put forward 20 suit the
occasion and has no more basis OF fact
now any more than such a claim would
have had az any time during tho past
ten years
To know the men who arc really re-
sponslble for these bills and 90 hear n
said that they want 10 improve the
morals OF the city Is the bitterest piece
OF Irony that ever came across
II YOU pass these acts upon the ground
that the condition OF Pawtucket ts such
that they are necessary for tho wen-belng
Of tho city II must be presumed that you
act from knowledge OF tho conditions.
I'VE are accused of motives ~ parti-
sanship IN opposing these acts. but as
sure you that the only motive that We
have n 10 preserve inviolste that old
American principle of local control OF
local snairr. and not take any back
ward step which woud seem 20 indicate