The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-12

Continued From Page one)
existing board OF license commissioners,
elected by the city council. ceased to ex-
ist and the board OF police commission
ers was vested with number OF extraor-
dlnary absolute powers, including the FOL
lcwing:
n"To expend 1864 450, and such further
sums as the city council may annually
appropriate. for police purposes; 10 APP
point and remove all police officials, fix
compensation, 90 exercise all the powers
snd authority conferred upon the mayor
and board OF aldermen, the common coun-
on ard license commissioners. They re-
cfive 5000 each per annum salary.
e"The people OF Providence protested
agninst this law as fundamentally wrong
in principle and In violation OF the Dem
ocratic-American idea OF home rule.
THE machine finally amended the law
April g. 1906 (chapter 1879. Public Laws),
giving the mayor OF Providence power OF
APPOINTMENT with this string on the pow
er. subject TO the approval OF the board
OF aldermen and providing that In the
event OF the board not approving the per-
son appointed by the mayor, the board
might elect a commissioner.
Thus the vicious principle, f1st
formulated by a Republican boss-ruled
legislature. is incorporated into the
amendment by giving the board of ol-.
dermen ca majority OF which is and
for a long time will he Republican,
power not only TO veto the mayors ac-
tion. but TO take final action Itself.
What valid reason can be assigned
for thus shifting the responsibility
from the mayor TO majority or tue
board OF aldermen? The machine, IN
calculated on the board OF aldermen
rejecting all appointments made by
Democratic mayor and thus TO main
tain the commission as Republl ,an
body.
II submit that no reason mot even
n poor one) can be given FOR not hav-
ing a member of the Democratic marty.
selected by Democratic mayor on
the police commission. not for partisan
purposes. but to prevent the commits
sion from exercising it's absolute po @er
over liquor dealers and other licensees.
for partisan political purposes, without
public notice and exposure.
y Second that no member of paru-
san political board or committee. man
aging a political party. should he
eligible TO membership on the board of
police commissioners.
The reappointment OF Col Gross
who is chairman OF the Republican
state central committee. is urged
strongly because he is an estimahle
of the commission in keeping the city
clean against the will OF the machine,
whose representatives trade In politics
with professional violators Of law for
He is 10 be commended for following
the dictates OF his conscience rather than
the political conscience appealed TO by
the machine.
There are. however, two forceful objec-
iions 10 the nomination or election of such
candidate. One IL that where two OF
board Of three members are OF one poll
teal faith. as they no ware II would be
unwise TO select a third member from that
@me party because OF the unlimited
power vested in the commission.
Reverse the situation and assume that
n majority of the board OF aldermen were
row Democrats and the mayor were 10
appoint the chairman OF the Democratic
state central committee as n member of
the commission. To serve with two other
Democrats. Would not the Republican
electors OF the city rise In protest? This
question is addressed 10 every citizen.
III the aldermen should decline 10 ap-
prove OF Democrat OF good standing.
who would exercise his power and dis
charge his duty faithfully and impartially,
would not such action be positive proof
that the guiding hand Is that OF the
parent OF the commission, the machine?
1T Is urged In favor OF Col. Gross re-
appointment that ~ he is not reappointed
by the mayor, or reelected by the board.
q majority OF the aldermen will elect
machine candidate who will not support
The present chairman in keeping the city
clean
.'1t IS further argued that then ma
yority OF the commissioners (two) will
elect new chairman. that the present
chairman tMr. Luther, will resign and
mat a machine candidate will be elected
~ MS place. and. having gotten rid OF
Mr. Luther. the commission will be used
as originally intended. for partisan po-
niicai purposes; that the liquor dealers
and others will be dragooned into hacking
eaucuses. and working for the nomination
snd election OF machine candidates for all
political and representative offices.
several earnest friends OF the majority
OF the police commission say that II Is a
condition OF unusual gravity that the new
mayor will be called on 10 deal with. and
control Is 10 reappoint Col Gross.
In answer 20 this argument I wish 20
say the assumption that the board ~ al
oermen will be subservient 10 the machine
and opposed 20 the taxpayers interests *
reflection on the intelligence patriotism
and ciuzenship OF the board. who are
fully aware that they are through theif
approval or rejection Of the nominee for
commissioner. dealing with matter OF
vital Interest 10 public decency and NOR.
slity.
= do not know that the machine IL OF
ts not at work 10 secure the election of A
man who Will act less Independently than
Mr.. Gross has done: but I do know thai
the Republican electors no less than the
Democrats. are vitally interested In IN,
good name ~ our city.
II am seeking. therefore. the opinion oi
Of all good citizens as 20 whether the
mayor. IN his choice % commissioner
should be governed by good government
sxIneiples, which would give TO Demo.