The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-09

SATURDAY. JUNE 9, 1906.
OUTRAGEOUS AND INDEFENsIBLE.


Yesterday a committee representing the 1000
electors of the Tenth ward presented to the board
OF canvassers and registration a petition request
ing the board some member OF it to visit the
ward at least one evening during the coming week
for the purpose of enabling those who are employed
during the hours the city hall is open to register
In support of the petition arguments that
would have convinced minds not warped and biased
by partisan prejudice of its reasonableness and JUS
tice were made.
The board announced that it would take the
matter under advisement and make known its de
cision later.
Presumably it went through the empty form
of considering the matter but there is not the
shadow of doubt that from the outset it had abso-
lutely no intention of doing otherwise than it did
do a few hours later-refuse the petition.
In doing this the board of canvassers has dis
played the same narrow, partisan spirit that has
characterized its action from the time of its estab
lishment, and that has drawn upon it the deserved
contempt of the fair-minded and right thinking
citizens of Providence
Nowhere else in Rhode Island has there been
anything to parallel this exhibition OF blind poti-
cal bigotry, this mpudent denial OF facilities TO
which the electors not only of the Tenth, but Of
every other ward IN the city entitled.
Before this partisan board created the
Republican city clerk and his assistant made prac
tice of visiting the various wards and never con-
tended that in doing they were making con-
cession The Republican city clerk of Pawtucket
is now engaged in tour OF the wards of that city
for the purposes of registration The Republican
city clerk OF Central Falls attends Democratic
rallies; the Republican town clerk of Burrillville
visits the mills at convenient hours in order to
enable the operatives to register without loss Of
time or pay.
So it is throughout the state. Registration
officers recognize the fact that they public SER
wants and endeavor to fairly and impartially dis
charge their duties as such.
1t is only here in the capital city of the COM
monweath that facilities cheerfully and a matter
of right and justice afforded in other communities
are cavalierly denied.
The labors of the members of the board OF
canvassers are not oppressive. Indeed for the
greater part of the year their work is more per-
functory than actual yet they receive for it the
more than liberal salary of $4,000 a year. Then.
too they have the assistance OF two regular clerks
for whose services the city pays Sa2oo year, while
extra clerical help costs additional 500.
In other municipalities the registration officers
deem it their duty to get many names as possible
on the lists. The board of canvasserS OF Provi-
dence seems to believe il is allowed to draw nearly
$1,000 year annually from the public treasury in
order to keep as many names off the lists as
possible.
Such action is not merely indeiensbe, it is
outrageous. 1t goes far to confirm the suspicion
long entertained by broad-minded and intelligent
citizens, that there exists deliberate and sinister
scheme to keep Democratic registration at the low
est possible level by Withholding from the wage
earners of Providence those facilities for qualifying
themselves as voters that cheerfully given in
other cities and towns in the state.
But the scheme will fail because aroused
citizenship, in spite of the obstacles placed in its
way, in spite OF the sacrifices it must make, will
see to it that the honest toilers shall not be dis
franchised and rendered incapable of fighting the
battle for reform at the polls next November.