The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-29
CHEAP POLITICS
IN AUTO CASES

Continued from Page One)
tlemen who are lending their names TO a
certain newspaper In an attempt by that
paper to create political capital against
the Democratic party, that the ordinance
In question was adopted by a Republican
town council
"If the ordinance is unconstitutional,
that party must bear the responsibility
OF having placed it upon the statute
books; and they must not blame the Dem
ocratic town council for supposing that
the ordinance was adopted with the inten-
tion Of having It enforced
Nobody has asked for the repeal Of
this ordinance. Apparently, the taxpay-
ers OF Warwick desire some protection
from those drivers of automobiles who
drive their machines at a rate OF speed
dangerous TO life and property
1T may be true that this class consti-
tute a small percentage OF the whole num-
ber of automobifsts; but are they to be
permitted 10 escape simply because they
are few In number?
81 am informed that firm that manu-
features machines In Providence has been
in the habit of sending It's fast autos TO
be tried out on the Post road between
Apponaug and East Greenwich in some
instances running them as high as so miles
per hour
Persons living on the Post road have
complained that the practice had become
intolerable, and that unless something
was done TO suppress II they would be
obliged TO give up their homes during the
summer season.
Charles Il Locke Is not n regular con-
stable, and was not appointed to ana Of
flee by the present town council until a
request came from the residents OF the
Post road that he be named 20 enforce
this particular ordinance.
1T seems 10 me that il is very unwise
for the men who criticise his action TO
base their argument upon the fact that he
arrested some rich men We are already
having too much discussion I'm this coun-
try as 10 whether men OF wealth can he
made amenable to the law; and il will not
help allay that discussion TO raise a hue
and cry because two mllionaires were
placed in Jail.
"Whether these men are guilty OF vio-
lating the law, is a question OF fact 10 be
determined by proper tribunal II
they violated the law they were
very properly arrested, and, in the
absence Of a competent person 10 take
bail, were very properly placed In Jail
IF they are not guilty, 1t was
an outrage 20 arrest them: but
the question OF their wealth should
not enter into the discussion. 1t will be
y sorry day for this country when the
idea gets abroad that an offender against
our laws must not be arrested because he
Is wealthy. We hear enough already
about the criminal rich
THE town council Of Warwick was not
asked 20 remove Mr.. Locke. As near as
/ could gather from Mr. Nightingnle's
remarks. he suggested a sort OF a suspen-
sion OF hostilties until the constitutional
ity OF the ordinance was determined Do
the careful automobillsts of this state
think II would be wise TO give notice 10
the careless driver OF machines that there
would be no more enforcement OF the
speed law In Warwick this year?
IF Constable Locke called Mr. Doril-
ard Spencer a vile name. he Is y vulgar
person and unfit 10 hold any Office II
he slandered Mr. Thurston or used pro-
fame language IN the presence OF women.
he ought to be removed from office; and
if he made the statement that Mrs. Ed
gar w Dexter Is credited with attrlbuting
To him he should be out OF Office and In
jail
''But IL must be remembered that none
Of these charges has been brought against
Locke: and the Warwick town council has
been given no opportunity to pass upon
his fitness In these respects.
THE thing for these cOmplainants 10 do
is 90 present complaints specifically
charging Mr.. Locke with these Instances
OF unbecoming conduct. and then 90 pro-
duce their proof before the town council
From what know of the Warwick
town coun1il. they would not tolerate n
4aan-l In offlce for a moment after they
were convinced that he had used the kind
OF language attributed 20 Mr.. Locke. for
the seven men who make up the Warwick
town council regardless OF their politics.
are gentlemen. every one Of them
Let us hear no more about arresting
good people and respectable citizens.
During tho present administration OF the
law In Warwick. n mans goodness or his
'respectablity' will not be determined by
the Size OF his pocketbook