The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-25

going to lie down and let the election go
by default this year they are doomed TO
most serious disappointment. For some
time past the men who have been rattling
round as leaders seemed TO have obtained
the idea that the Democrats were not
going TO put up any fight this fall. just
why they should have such an idea is one
OF the things II is rather difficult 10 fig
ure out, for as a matter OF fact there
was never in the history OF the party
such an excellent chance 10 win as there
is this year.
To begin with, the Democrats made
great gains I'm the matter OF registration.
The Republicans were very slow in their
efforts 10 add names 10 the lists and as
a result OF the work which was put In
by the Democratic city committee acting
I'm sympathy with the Democratic club
there are today more Democrats on the
voting lists than ever before.
Then there are issues which ought to
bring support TO the Democratic ticket.
Everyone I'm the city is thoroughly dis
gusted with the shilly shally work OF the
present city council II is composed en-
tirely of Republicans ond there is hardly
a man i'm either branch who dares 10 eX-
press an opinion regarding public affairs
without first consulting the men who are
behind. Even then they are very shy in
going on record. and whenever any ques-
tion OF Importance comes up for consid-
Grafton the chances are that there Will be
no quorum OF the branch which is 10 con-
slider II. This is especially true of the
board OF aldermen.
A CASE OF DODGING.
The two matters which have been es-
pecially prominent relate TO the gas fran
Oh ha IF %
estate for city hall. on the former the
council finally had to take a stand and
as might have been expected IL was
against the wishes of the people. That
the position which was taken was dictat-
ed by men who have no connection with
the city government is pretty well known
by everyone. AS a result the people Of
the city are paying price for their gas
which is fully 80 per cent. higher than
that which is paid for the same gas in
Pawtucket and I'm the towns on the north.
In addition TO this the city has lost
about $1,000 a year which could have been
paid by the Pawtucket Gas company In
taxes for the franchise, If II had been
granted There has been talk TO the ef-
feet that If the gas company persisted
In charging the extra price for gas IL
would he proved that there had been dis
elimination and that the courts would
give the people redress from this. But
several well known attorneys who have
been consulted have declared that mas
much as the gas company offered TO the
people Of Central Falls the same terms
which were accepted by Pawtucket and
the other places there is no discrmina-
ton and that it is up to the city council
TO secure these terms by accepting the
proposition.
In view of this IL is scarcely likely that
anything will be done In the courts and.
anyway. IL is private matter I'm the
sense that ii would be up to some indi-
vidual TO bring the case In the courts
and the chances are that IL would take "A
couple OF years before a decision was
reached. In the mean time the people
will be called upon to pay the high price.
The matter is going TO be one of the
issues OF the ca.a~aign and any member
OF the city council who believes he has
made friends oy his course IN this matter
will find when he hears the returns that
he has made a pretty serious mistake.
WILL BE AN ISSUE.
Regarding the Littlefield property with
out a doubt IL Will be an issue. but of
how much Importance it will be remains
10 be seen.
one OF the things bound to be heard In
the campaign is law enforcement. This
has been a leading issue ever since the
city was incorporated. and there is scarce
ly a mayor who has not been elected on
this issue. At times the people who be-
lieve i'm enforcing the law have won out,
and again IL has been the other side that
was successful This year the feature
which promises TO be prominent relates to
the manner in which Mayor McNally has
been treated by the Republicans. The
visit of the state deputies to Central Falls
three or four weeks ago Will not be for
gotten Deputy sheriffs are not very pop
a /.
seen that II was simply matter OF poll
tics. and that the question Of law en-
forcement had nothing to do with IL, a
strong feeling OF antagonism developed
all over the city against Republican
machine which engineered and carried
out such a scheme.
When the cases were brought into court
the Republican state machine sent out
one of It's own men to take charge and
there was continuance. This week there
was another continuance and IL is now
settled that the cases will not be tried
till the latter part Of September. This
means that II is proposed TO make this
matter an issue I'm the campaign and II
the Republicans expect TO make capital
out IL IL they certainly mistake the tenn
per OF the people.
THE MAYOR SPEAKS OUT.
At the meeting OF the Democratic club
NUt bAil'l HiknA hbNpi h'ANdilN was PRES
cnt and declared In the most positive
terms that the men who were behind
the so-called investigation into the police
force are nothing but a dirty set OF
blaCkguards and that he had nothing 10
fear from them. lie said he is willing
20 stand on the record he has made as
chief executive and IL was apparent that
he was out for the Democratic nomination
again this fall III he gets Il he VIII make
a pretty lively campaign and with the
large number OF new Democratic votes
he will undoubtedly be elected
one OF the reasons that will aid him is
that the Republicans will be unable 20 Sc
cure candidate for the office who has
the confidence OF the people. For the past
two or three years the nomination has
gone begging. u has been difficult To- So
cure anyone who was willing 90 stand for
the Republican nomination and Il IL un-
dersteod that up TO the present time no
greater success has been obtained. Repub-
lcans are disRusted with the management
OF party affairs and they are not DESTROYS
OF giving any support TO a machine which