The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-03-24
favor the state. interfering in local af-

favor the states interfering IN local hf-
fairs?''
Mr. Jenks answered this by quoting
Gladstone: The remedy for democ-
racy IS TO be found in more democracy
and II the legislature considered af-
fairs in Pawtuoket 10 be 30 bad as 10
Justify Interference then you might step
In
But wouldn't IL be the duty of the
Legislature 10 DO so In such a case?' asked
Mr.. Harris.
1T don't think So" answered Mr.. jerks.
~Any interference by the legislature with
local seh-government. except in very
rare cases, which 1 DO not think can
ever arise In our city, would in my opinion
be wholly untustihable."
Mr.. Jenks said ne considered City So
licitor Blodgetts claim regarding the alb
sence OF police on Park place and the an
noyances which the latter claimed pre-
walled there as far fetched.
Mayor Higgins got the floor and re-
ferred TO conditions in the neighboring
cities OF Providence and Pawtucket, and
challenged those IN favor Of the Police
bill 10 And favorable comparison OF the
police OF those cities with that OF Paw
tucket.
PROVIDENCE CONDITIONS.
He called attention 20 the conditions
where vice 10 no'irishing IN the centre OF
the city. as shown up in Mondays News
by reading AN abstract from st.
He declared;
II have seen in Providence near this
site a liquor saloon on one OF your public
streets wide open on Sunday and a police
officer of my city whom / had delegated
10 investigate informed me than within
short distance OF the city hall here was
low-down dive which would not be
tolerated in Pawtucket.
Point our 10 me. Mr.. Solicitor, the
houses OF III repute in Pawtuoket and
point out 20 me any system OF police
graft IN our city IL you can. Bring on
your specific charges, i say.
1.-The demand for the police commission
comes from the same source as In other
cities II has been forced upon them
solely for political reasons and In not In
spired by lawful and worthy motives.
Give me an increased police force and III
see that the boys i'm Park place do not
disturb the city solicitor.
81 have been credibly informed that
among those children who are spoken Of
as 'giggling' by the city solicitor are
his own children. Ia the child tendency
toward fun 10 be excuse enough 20 take
away our risnt OF self-government?
1.-The only substantial power the mayor
OF Pawtucket has today is over the police
department, and II You take that away
from me you will have a man drawing
1880 n year with empty office.
About giving the appontive power of
the commission TO Gov. Utter--1 am not
afraid to trust him in such n matter. for
I have the utmost respect for Gov. Utter.
but he will not be governor always. and
his SUCCESSORS choice may not please tho
senate. which by itst law can make its
own appointments.
FROM CLUTCHES OF GANG.
"You all know that IN not one city in
this state are the moral conditions SUI
perior 10 those OF Pawtucket. The whole
hue and cry has been stirred up by a
press unfavorable to the men In admins
tration OF the offices 10 be affected
The mayor challenged Rev. Mr.. Good
win 10 name one specific instance in sup
port to the claims set forth I'm his speech.
and concluded by saying: Don't turn the
5000 people of Pawtucket over TO the
merciless clutches OF that gang which
wants the commissions"
Among the others heard were Thomas
r. Corcoran of tho Pawtucket Merchants
association; William J. Welch OF the
Pawtucket Central Trades and Labor
union. John T.. Shannon of the Fairlawn
Improvement society and Jeanette s.
French OF the Pawtucket Womans
Suffrage league presenting resolutions
opposed TO the measures.