The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-30

For police commissioner. Frank A. Mat
thews.
For chief Of police, Lieut.. John b. Hart
nett.
Pledged to carry out this program. six
aldermanic nominees.
A determined movement is under way
not only to make Chief OF Police Frank
a. Matthews a police commissioner TO
succeed Col. Harold j. Gross. who voted
with Chairman William II. Luther to
convict the chief of attempting 70 con-
spire against Rev. A. B. Cristy, but also
TO make hun chairman az the board
The plot includes the elevation OF
Lieut.. John b. Hartnett OF the Second
station 20 the position OF chief. the retire
mcht OF at least two police captains. the
eleyation of Lieut.. O'Neil OF the Central
station. and OF one of the detectives who
were prominent during the Matthews trial
TO a captaincy.
Little public attention has been paid
during the, past,two months to the work
ings of the powers that control the city
council and which depend upon that
council not only for franchises, contracts
and other special favors, but to do their
bidding I'm the most triflng details OF city
management.
While the people have been looking to-
ward the capture OF the United States
senatorship. the state offices and the
mayoralty. the nether-world politicians in
this city have been busy.
Their mole-like workings were seen at
the last session of the legislature, when
they had the appointing power trans
ferred from the governor and the senate
TO the mayor and board of aldermen, with
final appointing power vested In the board
of aldermen. Then they set to work to
make doubly sure their control OF the
board of aldermen.
IL is stated that they have succeeded
in obtaining pledges from six men who
have been nominated for aldermen and
whom they expect to control. that II they
are elected they will lend their support
to the effort TO make the convicted chief
OF police a commissioner to succeed Col.
Harold j. Gross, at present chairman OF
the Republican state central committee.
Under Chairman Luther's and Col.
Gross management OF police affairs.
within the past year or more the lid
has been closed tighter than IL was ever
closed before, and IL is desired by those
who are behind the movement TO have q
more "wide-open' town.
Two OF the aldermen who are generally
credited with being i'm the combine have
denied emphatcally that they have given
any pledge. one Of them has added TO his
statement the further emphatic declara-
tion that he would not vote for Matthews
for police commissioner under any cir
cumstance but would support Col. Gross.
" he were assured that the colonel would
he a candidate again.
while Col Gross has been unusually busy
this year and has found IL necessary TO
devote more time every week To the i'm
creasing demands OF his extensive inter-
ests In this city and New York. his
friends say he has considered seriously
the duty he owes 10 the city and will not
let mere money-making prevent him from
giving some OF his time. at least, to fur
thering the best interests OF the city and
state
He will he 2 candidate for reelection.
his friends say. ~ convinced that II Is has
duty TO remain I'm public office; and with
MS candidacy must disappear, they argue
any hope the machine combine may Nave
Of carrying out It's plan TO depose him.
as they believe he will have the support
OF all tho decent elements that believe
I'm the things for which the present police
commission stands
These friends of Col. Gross and Of
Chairman Luther however see the
necessity of all good citizens taking an
active part In the city council election
and Of defeating certain men who are
known TO be too friendly with the eIe-
ments that believe In a wide-open town
They believe that Alderman Barney Of
the Second ward Alderman Rudlong OF
the Fourth. Higgins Of the Sixth. Parker
~ the Eighth. McMann 81 the Tenth and
possibly Spcer of the Ninth. will support
the machine though McMann Is the
Democratic nominee for alderman i'm the
Tenth ward. taking the place OF the late
Alderman Covell.
Alderman Dunn Is believed "a favor
upholding the hands Of the next Mayor.
Hon. Patrick J. Mccarthy. whom his del
egation supported I'm the Democratic
may yoraltv convention
II g. expected that there will he AZ
least three good government men In the