The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-26
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER a6, 1906.
THE KING OF GRAFTERS."

Grafters," which James A. Williams framed in his
speech before the Tilden club of the Tenth ward
last night, against Hunter c. White, sheriff of
Providence county will be subscribed to by every
citizen OF Rhode Island whose conception of right
and decency and whose respect for the law have
not been distorted by corrupting and degrading
associations with Braytonism
Mr. Williams arraignment is much more than
partisan presentment. 1t is based upon facts
that cannot be disputed and it pores practice
that is notorious it is shameless
1t has been for years, as Mr.. Williams declares
matter OF common knowledge that Sheriff White
assesses his twenty deputies $500 each annually
for their commissions; and it equally true
that under the law the collection of this sum
amounts to extortion.
The sheriff OF Providence county receives a
salary OF $1,000 year large enough in all con-
science TO fully reque him for any service he
performs for the state, and much larger than ought
to be paid to a who spends so much of his time
in netherworld political manipulation in the in
terests of Braytonism which put him in place four
teen years ago and has maintained him in it ever
since
1t is scandalous enough to have as the chief
officer of the courts IN the states most important
and populous county a man who is the willing
oligarchy but it is nothing short of continuing
outrage to permit such man to make of his
office extort thousands of dollars annually from
those who seek appointment under him
What would happen if the clerk of the supreme
court or the clerk of the superior court should
demand prerequisite to appointment as asss-
tant the payment of $500 year' Would not such
an attempt to sell appointments bring down upon
the offender prompt denunciation as conscience
less CRATER and would not the members OF the bar
promptly demand and compel his dismissal in con-
fusion and disgrace?
Why, then, has Hunter c. Whites wholesale
and impudent extortion of $4,000 year from his
deputies been allowed to go unchecked and almost
unnotced?
Does any citizen of discerning mind Gsubt
that Whites license to loot comes from macfc
Braytonism, as compensation for his serve obedi-
to its orders and his willing response to every
call it makes upon his services?
Hunter c. White and his grating practices
are among the noxious products of pestilent Bray
tonism For years White was Braytonisms head
of the Republican State Central committee Today
White is Braytonsm's head of the Republican city
committee. In both positions he is first last and
all the time the plant creature of the machine
doing its nosome work without question, without
murmur, without compunction
His spasmodic and sporadic attempts at Jaw
enforcement have excited the derision and the con
tempt OF decent citizens Blind TO such open and |
fragrant violations OF the laws against gambling
as occurred year or more ago at Narragansett
Park, he responds with ready alactrity to Bray
tonism's order to make partisan capital by spec
tacular Sunday raids in Democratic communities.
1t required order from the governor of the
state TO Sheriff Whites assistance in en-
forcing the anti-gambling laws at Waterford and
other places in Providence county, but it took
only wink from the Boss TO induce him 10 send
his deputies into Central Falls and Cumberland
on the pretext OF enforcing the liquor laws but
actually to attempt TO discredit the local admin
istration of the law, because that administration
happened to be in the hands OF the Democrats
The public long ago took the measure OF this
man of putty in the hands Of Braytonsm 1t found
him to be partisan of the rankest sort, veritable
sponge in his capacity for the absorption OF money.
and one who is alert and active only when the
machines nasty political work is 10 be done
AS Mr.. Williams declared this annual hold
up OF deputies until they deliver over TO Sheriff |
White $4,000, could not go were fearless and
conscientious man filling the office of attorney
general.
However, there is hope that the people will |
have such attorney general at their service next
a,J 10 Cba,;H al