The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-05
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER S, 1906.
A CHEAP POLITICAL GAME.

AT its meeting last evening, the board OF alder
men OF the city of Central Falls took up and passed
without dissenting vote resolution introduced
several weeks ago, providing for an investigation
OF the police department. Before the passage OF the
resolution Colonel w NJ. P. Bowen of this city, a
member of the general assembly of 1906 had been
selected by the aldermen to conduct the investga-
ton.
The people of Central Falls need not be told
for they know already, that it is not investiga-
ton that is intended, but petty and pernicious
partisan exploitation. The end sought is not the
public welfare, but partisan advantage 1t is not
the police department that is to be investigated, but
the mayor OF the city, for no other reason than that
he is of the Democratic faith.
This whole affair is SO rankly partisan to be
absolutely contemplate. 1t is but another mani
festation of Braytonsm's disgraceful methods and
shameless trickery. 1t would not be tolerated, in
deed it would be impossible in any community
not wholly under the domination of corrupt and
constituencies oligarchy.
If the office of municipal executive in Central
Falls were filled by creature of Braytonism there
would be no talk of an investigation of the police
elected by the people fills that position that the
malignant political machine has put into operation
its disgraceful agencies in transparent attempt
TO manufacture political capital.
The public remembers that outrageous per
Torrance of Sheriff White when he sent his depu-
Eli
day raid There was neither warrant nor justifca-
ton for that high-handed proceeding and the
people of the municipality resent it outrage
as an indefensible attack upon their right OF local
self government
No one with shred OF authority asked that
deputies be sent into the city. Neither the mayor
nor the grossly partisan city council requested
such action. The police department did not claim
it was unable to enforce the laws against illegal
liquor selling nor did it call for outside assistance
Why then did Sheriff White order his deputies
to invade Central Falls? He says he was requested
to do so, but by whom he has not dvulged The
public, therefore, is at liberty to draw its own in
ference and it has done so. 1t has reached the con-
viction that if any such request was made it came
not from the representatives of the people OF Cen
tral Falls, but from agents OF Braytonism, who
thought they chance for political coup and
found the sheriff Of Providence county ready to aid
them.
When the cases Of the liquor dealers whose
places were raded, were called in court who APP
peared the prosecutor? Not the city solicitor
whose duty it to represent the municipality
but Col. William NJ P. Bowen OF Providence, Re
publican representative in the general assembly
and attorney known to be persona grata to Bray
tonism.
Again when this contemplate police investiga-
ton scheme set on foot the regularly retained
legal adviser OF the city government was ignored
and Col William NJ. p. Bowen was engaged to
manage the affair in behalf OF the aldermen
Why? Is not the city solicitor elected by the
council Of Central Falls competent to perform any
duty that body may require Of him2 Ii be is not.
why was he chosen?
Can il be the aldermen regard him as compe-
tent to conduct the legitimate legal affairs of the
city, but doubt his willingness to lend himself to the
despicable partisan scheme in which they are now
engaped7 Such is the ONLY reasonable inference 10