The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-06-20

The tempest in the teapot was over the
Sl72,5oo bond issue ostensibly 10 pay the
town debt. and because OF long expert
ence the people distrusted the motives OF
the Champlin faction there was very
warm sentiment against II.
III the Rose faction could have been as
sured that there was no other reason
than the payment OF the notes against the
town OF New Shoreham for sl72.4S9.n and
could have taken that assurance the bond
issue would probably have gone through
without trouble. but as the town govern
ment is so dominated by the Champlin
faction that II is hard 10 tell what they
would not do on occasion, there was
very lively dstrust 10 be faced.
The talk has been very strong In New
Ghoreham as the day OF the town meet
ing drew closer, and there were rumors
that bloodshed might be expected II the
Champlinites persisted In trying TO force
tbe bond issue through.
That the rumors were well founded was
proven yesterday afternoon and the
officers with disfigured ceuntenances.
broken arms, heads and sundry bruises.
can testify. as we'll as one or two OF the
islanders who mixed in the melee quite
freely.
FOR SHOW OF FORCE.
The cause of this remarkable dis
within fortnight. to hold a special town
meeting for the purpose OF authorizing
the issue OF $l72,5O0 bonds 10 pay the town
debt This issue was permitted by an
act of the general assembly. passed at the
last session. providing the people favored
It.
The first meeting was brokes up by
free fight and that this one might run
smoothly, the Champlin- Dodge faction ar
N SnpCial
ficers.
Opposed TO Senator Champlin we're
Bsrza b. Mitchell former member of
the house and proprietor OF the Spring
house, one OF the largest hotels on the
island; Eugene ]. Littlefed and David
Rose. who headed combination OF Re-
publicans. Democrats and Prohibitionists.
The debt to be refunded is in the form
OF notes held by Providence banks and
judgment OF s22 600 recently secured by
William McKie OF East Boston. who built
the steamer New Shoreham, owned by the
town.
While Il is beyond question that the
bond issue must come. the opposition as
eerts that the town has debts not shown
upon the town treasurer's books. The
Champlin- Dodge faction. on the other
hand. claim that the criticisms INDUCED
in by the opposition are unfair and un-
just The money has been laid out for
the improvement OF New Shoreham.
NEW sHoREHAM POLICE"
The heavy taxpayers approve Of the bond
issue. Anticipating trouble the Champ
n-Dodge faction secured the services or
retired police officers from Providence.
These officers are on the superannuated
list. They draw pensions and are per-
mitted by the Providence board of police
commissioners TO accept engagements for
IL 40. far
their own pecuniary benefit
The officers who were brought here
from Providence were Lieutenant James
r. Scott Dutee A. Greene. Charles
Smith. James Hathaway. George Gam
nell, William Poiner and William Chase.
They wore badges marked New Shore
ham Pnlice.. ..and 2eIe-armed- -m4tA-elabs
and loaded revolvers.
There was also employed ex-Town Ser
geant John Kenyon OF Cranston. Robert
6. Kenyon. Ernest Olney and a special
by the name OF Conner from Gray's de-
tective bureau. Providence
The town meeting was called for 2
o'clock. IL was TO be held in n little
one-story building at the Centre" known
as the town hall. 1t is OF the little red
schoolhouse type OF architecture, with one
door and fve windows In II was a roll
top desk, long table for the use OF the
town court and dozen chairs
CHUCKED THE CoPPERs OUT.
At 1:3 O'Clock the special officers
formed in line and were marched TO the
town hall About the time they entered
the building a mob OF about 200 men,
armed with clubs. boat hooks. FISH gafrs
and spears. prepared for the attack.
They had plentiful supply OF rocks.
and with these they bombarded the
building. smashing the windows and
nH
In an instant they were within the build
Ing. and without ceremony they fell upon
the specials, assauting them and throw
ing them throug the windows
Then the mob seized upon and wrecked
all the furniture. tossing the wreckage
out after the specials.
Two OF the special constables had heen
roughly used by the rugged fishermen.
One had been kicked in his abdomen.
another. Ernest Olney. was wounded upon
his head, and officer Smith had his ,5rm
broken by stone 10 was right here
that a tragedy might have happened. for
the mob had been worked up TO a dan
gerous state OF excitement
Al this critical moment Sheriff An
thony arrived on the scene from New
port. He was accompanied by Deputv
6herins King. Harvey and Fullerton. and
by six members OF the Newport police
force. including Jack Tobin, one OF the
best men In the department and formerly
q noted football player
Each wore a badge inscribed deputy
sheriff" and each was armed with a club
. revolver. plenty OF spare ammunition
and any amount OF grit
WOULD HUSH 1T rp.
Sheriff Anthony called upon the people
n the name Of the state 10 be quiet and