The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-03-24

I
power does net go out OF tho city OF Paw
Jacket, which stili controls It's own.
Ihe measure proposed fAwors the etec-
tion OF the school hoard by the city ooun-
ell. which IN itself elected by a part, not
by the entire population OF tho city.
You are aware that this statement
cTens up the whole subject or Rhode Isl-
and law. OF restricted suffrage. 7 shall
han the day when a new state oonstitu-
tion comes in Rhode Island and when
many obsolets customs shall cease.
Doubtless in that new Constitution
either dropped or materially modified
from what Il is now.
But II ts said thts city council Is man
sgtd by ring. What are we ulanased by
nowi When &c comes 10 rings 'honors are
essy.' II is clique for clique: II Is the ora
tor bosses who rule us now and the silent
bosses who are looking for more power.
The difference Is ono of noise. not OF free
dom.
What advantage then In there IN this
proposed change? They arc twofolh First,
sven II the board appointed by the city
council should be a strictly partisan
board "a Republican board. which hope
II win not be). still think II can be
fairly affirmed that tho chances OF our
schools being administered in a proper
wey are greater than they arc now
The crowd which shouted with laughter
at Mr.. Goodwin's statement that Central
Fnils was Republican was again called TO
Crds- by the chairman, who said; II will
not warn this crowd again. but you must
understand that we are going TO have de-
ccncy at this hearing"
The hour for thoee In favor of the bills
being ended Chairman Harris called at
tention to the utter impossibilty OF COM
pieting tho hearing AZ one session and
suggested that the hearing be adjourned
Mr.. Fitzgerald, however, called attention
T. tho fact that those opposed should
have the privilege OF speaking at once,
and tho same opposed TO the bills were
gwen the floor.
Jones T.. Jencks appeared as a repre-
sertstive Of the Pawtucket Business
Mems association. and said he was In
structed TO appear and to state a few
reasons why this bill should not be pass
| cd
THE organization which I represent
| numbers nearly 3co men and comprises
| most OF the prominent business men Of
| the city. is wholly non-partisan In It's ma
| ture and fully 20 rtr cent OF the numbers
| are lifelong Republicans l mention this
10 show that the opposition 10 the act is
not of a partisan nature. but rests on
norc rational and convincing grounds.
The first reason / have to advance In
the familiar principle OF practical politics
and legislative wisdom, that so far as
possible Local troubles should be locally
treated
THE custom OF towns and cities OF
ruDning TO the legislature every time n
partisan difficulty arises. IL favored less
and Less by political leaders. whether
Democratic or RepublicaS. as 1t not only
involves the party in frequent troubles.
but may even seriously imperil its gener-
al plans or policy or shift the balance OF
power In future, political contests. Towns
and cities, like individuals should learn
10 swim by their own natural powers. and
not be forever running 70 the Legislature
for bladders 10 keep their heads above
water
ONLY TRANSIENT AND LOCAL,
Now | will assume. though / do not
admit that the administration OF the
police department IL not wholly salts
factory in Pawtucket.
Let me ask I'm what town or city is II
wholly satisfactory So long partisan
ship exists in municipalities does any
man with brains In his head expect that
the defeated party Is going TO express
satisfaction with the administration OF
the dominant party?
This is not the kind Of thing to run
90 the legislature with. These things
are wholly transient and local, and be-
meath the dignity OF the lawmaking
power or sovereign state.
Suppose n Republican mayor and
Republican council were In office In Paw
tucket at the present moment. would this
legislature. think you. have been asked
10 amend the organic law OF the city?
The answer must be yes or no.
"If yes. than why has IL taken nearly
% years TO find out that change was
needed? During all the period when
Republican mayor was in power. no man
ever heard or thought that our charter
was defective or needed amendment. Now
you are asked TO believe that Pawtucket
can never be happy until this act passes.
'If the answer be no, then IL follows
that those who ask for this act assume
this position. that the charter Is defective
II there is Democratic mayor but Is
satisfactory ~ there Is Republican
mayor. as near n reductio ad absurdun
as YOU will find outside OF Euclid.
STRONG POPULAR FEELING.
Suppose the act passes and commits
sions are appointed. II Is to be expected
that temporary relief will result. But
some fair day. Pawtucket wakes up and
finds "A Democratic governor and Demo
cratic general assembly: now, instead OF
a commissioner or commissioners who are
Republican, will come commissioners who
are Democratic. What then? Another
amendment 10 the charter? For surely
Democratic commission is at all events
just as bad az n Democratic mayor. or
worse. for there are moro OF them Then
will follow the usual howl OF distress
and the usual appeal 20 the legislature
for more amendments 10 the charter 10
meet new. conditions. and so on ad In
finitum. This is sheer legislative in
sanity and political suicide, and Is an
indication of party paresis and decay.
"When any proposed legislation reduced
60 it's lowest terms amount In substance
10 this: That no person Of a political
faith opposed 10 that or the dominant
party In the legislature. whether n be
Republican or Democratic. shall be per-
mitted 20 hold office I'm any town or city,
such legislation is vicious and iniquitous.
and simply places dangerous weapons In
the hands of the enemy 20 be used against
US az the FIRST favorable opportunity.
"Tho second reason have 10 urge upon
your honors Is that there Is n very strong
popular feeling against this proposed