The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-26
CALLS SHERIFF WHITE
"KIAG OF GRAFTERS"
CONTINUED from Page one)

tlo0tlnQe0 from Page One.D
Mr.. Williams aroused much enthusiasm
by a reference to Mayor James H. Hig-
gins OF Pawtucket as the next governor
or Rhode Island. and then proceeded TO
devote his attention to Sheriff White, as
follows:
IL propose to direct my remarks this
evening st one Of Brayton's lieutenants,
namely. Hunter c. White, high sheriff Of
Providence county and chairman OF the
Republican city committee Of Providence
This man is the king OF Rhode Island
grafters.
HE has recently come to the front as
the special champion of law enforcement
in Central Falls and in the town OF Cum
berland. To these two Democratic strong
holds he has sent raIding parties from
his office in Providence. who have swoop-
ed down upon illegal liquor vendors with
great dash and eclat.
Had the high sheriff ever before shown
any disgust at the violation OF law we
might look with approval at his recent
activity i'm behalf OF law enforcement or.
II his activity as a defender Of the ma Jes-
~ OF the law were general over the en-
tire county Of Providence we might ap-
plaud his present zeal. But when we re-
call that his spasm Of virtue Is impelled
toward two Democratic strongholds, and
at a time when an election is approach
ing, we have no faith I'm his work Of
righteousness.
Furthermore when we know that ne
Is himself daily violating the law and re-
ceiving thousands OF dollars of graft we
are satisfied that IL Is not repentance for
past sins that makes him SO jealous in
prosecuting the enemies OF law and order.
but that he is carrying out one or the
diabolical schemes OF his master purely
for political purposes.
Now as 10 my specific charge against
Hunter G. White, that he is a CRATER ana
violater OF the law, / allege that Hunter
G. White collects the sum OF 800 annually
from each of his 20 or more deputy sher-
iffs in Providence county in violation Of
both statute and common law
The general assembly on April II. 1908,
enacted chapter 1902 OF the Public Laws.
section OF which reads az follows: The
sheriff OF Providence county shall receive
an annual salary OF 5000 which shall be
In full compensation for all services rem
dered by him personally to the state and
in lieu Of all fees which he Is now author
ICED TO receive for such services.
1T rs n well-known principle OF law
that n sheriff has no right TO FIX his own
fees, compensation or emoluments. That
Is a matter entirely Of statute law.
1T Is common knowledge here I'm Provi-
dence county that every deputy sheriff
appointed by Hunter G. White is required
to pay 10 him the sum of 5000 annually
for the deputation, The amount thus
collected from 90 deputies each year is
$4,000, n sum which goes into the pocket
of Hunter =. White without even the
color of legal right.
This custom hes been In vogue ever
since Hunter c. White became high sher-
In OF Providence county Ia years,ago. and
the collection of any amount from his
deputies has been just as illegal from the
beginning as it Is at the present time.
Hunter G. White has extorted from his
deputies not less than $50 600 I'm the last
II years contrary to law.
But | submit that no well-informed
attorney will endeavor 10 maintain that
this vast amount " money has been
legally collected by Sheriff White. In
order that my position may be clearly
defined I will now lay down the law as
applicable % this matter and show posi-
lively wherein Hunter g. White is a vio-
lator Of common as well as statutory law
First of all | assert that the sale of
deputatlons Is Illegal Apart from any
statutory provisions on the question, II
Il the rule by an overwhelming weight Of
authority that Il Is Illegal. as beins
against public policy. for principal 10
stipulats with his deputy for a gross sum