The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-16
POLITICAL REVOLT
At PAWTUCKET
indications That the People Are Preparing to Throw of the
Budm Of a Boss Controlled City Council Talk Of a
Fusion Ticket Made Up Of Democrats and Independents TO
Oppose tie Republican Machine Nominees s-Ksp Off the
Personal Property Llst-losslIe Retrss as President Of
tho Pohlsr Republican CIub-Going West TO Wed

There isn't the least doubt that the Re
,,,hl,can machine OF this city is fright
ened at the situation now confronting H.
In recent years there has never been any
difficulty In securing a pretty goed REGIS
tration IL was only necessary Tor the
men at the head OF the several Depart
ments to send out their orders ana the
sheep would flock 10 the city nan IN
droves. knowing that II depended on their
obedience TO the orders from headquarters
how many favors they would receive dur
ing the year.
But II would seem these orders are not
being obeyed this year as readily as had
been expected or the 5000 or more names
now on the registry books only a smsl
proportion are those OF Republicans. the
fact is that the people are heartily SICK
OF the rule of the bosses. Their nrst
open revolt came two years ago, when
the attempt was made TO secure police
commission for this city in order that the
police department should be taken out OF
the hands OF the mayor.
The machine declared that nothing
could prevent that bill from being passed.
but In that Il made a mistake. IL did
not pass and then the rank and file or
the voters found that their idol was OF
common clay. IL was then shown that
public opinion when properly expressed
could accomplish wonders.
Since that time there has been grad
ual growth In public sentiment against
the rule OF the men who have had such
power. There was some talk last fall
about a strong ticket made up OF Demo-
crate and Independents for the city coun-
ell. but the scheme fell through. Already
there r. similar talk this year. and II the
plan is started II will not meet with the
same fate. What will be accomplished
can better be told later in the year. but
there is a reasonable belief that the next
city council will not be so easily guided
. by the city hall machinists.
b IL r. certainly a great pity that even
II the Republicans should retain control
OF this body another year they will not
have a council composed OF men who
would be a real credit TO the city No
one who ever attends a meeting OF either
branch has any reason to feel proud
There is not a man among the entire list
of Republicans who dares express an
opinion that has not first been given him
by the powers who control him. Great
and important matters are frequently
brought up for action. and not three men
In either branch understand what effect
they will have on the city, yet they vote
az they are told TO vote with a unanimity
: that would be ludicrous IL IL was not so
pitiful.
There are men I'm this city who. under
oinerent circumstances. could be induced
TO become members OF the city council.
There In no lack OF timber In either party.
but self respecting men who demand the
right TO think and act for themselves de-
cline 10 be a party to the game that is
being played at the city hall. Business
fmen will have nothing to do with assist
.ing In the business affairs OF the city, and
yet that Is just what the city needs. IL
needs the brains OF wideawake business
men instead OF those OF men who belong
20 a machine.
II would seem that the people were get
ting ready TO throw of the burden OF "A
sboss-riddden council The voters who do
not pay allegiance to the Republican ma
chine are coming out in large numbers
and getting their names on the voting
lists. The day OF political bosses is near
Ing an end. This is a splendid year TO &C.
complish something. The conditions
which are evident all over the state are
showing here. and the machine doesn't
like the looks OF things.
The past week the men who are at the
head OF the machine have been doing a
lot OF hustling, but they don't seem TO ac
complish much. There have been many
conferences, and after the meeting OF the
common council the other night the Re-
publican members were corralled for Al
rev minutes and given TO understand that
they had got 10 do something TO save the
party. II they were men who carried
any special political strength themselves
their assistance might amount TO some
thing. but they are not. They hold their
present positions because they will do as
they are told. and not because they have
any strength among the people They
We're elected by those who blindly follow
party dictation, but there are strong in
oications that there is going 10 be a re-
voit this year that will be felt In. the city
council
PERSONAL PROPERTY VOTERS.
The letter from Luke O'Connor publish
cd recently brings 20 mind one OF the
questions which are yearly raised in this