The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-03-22

II Vas expected that Rev Albert w
Jefferson Of the First Free Baptist church
would be present, but the latter evil
IDENTITY changed his mind, as the following
letter would Indicate:
Pawtucket. r. l., March 81 1905
To Mayor James n. Higgins Pswtucket'
r. l.:
M Dear sir-I have been looking up
the question under consideration this
evening and find that my party politics
are entering very largely into the aues-
tion as now being considered. until that
element Is more fully eliminated should
not feel justified In entering into the dis
cussion.
You may make this statement II you
think best. Yours truly.
ALBERT w. JEFFERSON.
Chairman Thornley, in introducing Rev.
Mr. Barbour. said he came a citizen Of
Pawtucket 20 emphaticslly protest against
the commission acts proposed. and classed
the members OF the city council as pup
pets
Rev. Mr.. Barbour spoke humorously of
the action taken by the French Canadian
citizens IN ndorsing the pending legtsla-
tion, and said that the Socialists are
"standing pat" realizing the adoption OF
euch methods means the dawn OF day for
them.
AN EXPENSIVE LUXURY.
IN part Rathbone Gardner said:
II think no citizen of Rhode Island can
see any portion OF the state committing
suicide without desiring to protest. Legis-
lation for a particular section Of the state
AZ once becomes a precedent. IL New
port had not asked for a police commits
s,on Providence and other places In the
etate would not now he enjoying that ex-
pensive luxury.
The first measure proposed is To give
the present powers Of your license board
and the administration Of the police de-
partment To one board appointed by the
governor. In your present system ~ 20
lice administration YOU have divided
responsibility in the appointment Of police
offcArs. and that II seems IN me Is the
cause ~ much Of the trouble,
with the license commissioners there
is no responsibility. they being elected
by the city council In both YOU have
lack of responsibility and YOU will never
improve either until the power Of sp-
pointment is placed in the hands OF one
man alone responsible. and elected by
the people.
"A chief executive clothed with full
power and responsibility, elected by the
people. is necessary for clean government
II IL proposed. however. 10 put both OF
these departments into the hands or men
appointed BY the governor. with the ad-
means the governor has not the appoint
I've power
"A majority OF the Senate. % members,
represents eight and one-half per cent of
the population OF the state. Even these
~ senator's will not In reality control your
destinles, but the hve or six men who
pay the election expenses and influence
the entire legislature are the men who
will appoint your police commissioners.
LONG STEP BACKWARD.
'1n regard 10 the School Commission
act I admit I cannot comprehend ~. The
svstom YOU now have IL the Identical one
We have been trying 10 obtain for Provi-
dence. and which Is Endorsed by educators
all over the country. Now, IL an evil
exists YOU can change II at election and
that is what I am told was done here
las, fall.
"Somebody wants 10 put in place OF
this commission elected by the city
council Suppose commission elected
BY the city council had done what your
committee did last year How would you
have gone about II 20 right the wrong7
school commission s the longest step
backward any community could contem-
plate
JAMES l.. JENKs
James L. jerks vas introduced as an
'insider," and said in part: Most Of
US are freNborn CltseTs, put some oi you
bought that az a great price.
How does II make YOU feel when the
eutcCrats AT the city hall attempt to
take that freedom 90 dearly purchased,
from you? We are here for the purpose
of protesting against the taking OF any
Of our liberties
The propositions which both branches
OF the city council passed unlawfully are
amendments to our city charter. This
they propose 10 change In its vital points
without allowing us 10 approve or reject.
II Is a good thing once In n while 10 for
get partisanshp We may congratulate
ourselves that many braved the storm OF
March night TO protest against the loss
OF our liberties
FEARED BY THE GANG"
I'VE are not going TO propose any revo-
iuti6nary methods. All YOU have got 20
Ndo Is TO think there is nothing the gang
ut the city He'll fears a. much as
meeting Hike this.
MY first objection ! have - this pro-
posed legislation is that " takes awsy
IRON, us our powers ~ self government
Don't be afrsh to voio. your thoughts,