The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-20


police commissioners, IL appears 10 me-
said a well-known former congressman,
when discussing the verdict he sa'u
that IL he was guilty he was an unnt man
10 he at the head OF the police cepart-
,nant The commissioners found him
g,,,,,v hut kept him In office. and have
made him secure for at least seven
months to como. 1t Is very lame de-
cision."
In this city said: 1T strikes me that the
verdict IL nothing more nor less than po-
litical play. II seems TO bear all over ~
the trail of politics Look what the police
board does after finding the chief guilty
and merely reprimanding him! why, IL
nroytdes that he shall hold office until
next February and until his successor is
chosen, and then for one year. IL he Is re-
elected.
"Now. what will happen II Chief Mat
thews friends capture the board OF aiuer,
men next fall? Why. they VIII simply
elect another police commissioner In jan
nary 10 succeed Col Gross, whose term
expires. This new commissioner may OF
may not be Col Gross, who Is chairman
OF the Republican state committee puI
does not allow political CONSCIENTIOUS "'
says, TO influence him
..>Tou, sunnose an enemy OF Commis-
sioner Luther is chosen next January py
the friends OF Matthews. Wouidnt the
two members Immediately repeal the new
rule providing for the annual eiecuoh oi
officers from captain UP. and wouiu no'
that result In a tenure OF onlce TOT MAJ
thews as long as he cared TO hold H. hot-
withstanding this 'reprimand' as IL 10
called -. ..o
"you will doubtless observe that the
r,,e does not take effect until next tep-
ruary actually, whatever may be SAID 10
the contrary. In the meantime there Ia 10
he a state election in the fall and an eiec-
tion of a police commissioner In January
before there can be any election OF chief
OF police.
.'While people who do not know any
petter NAV believe that the new rule ~
designed TO get rid OF Chief Matthews
next February, those who are next u,>
derstand that it's chief object-certainy
its chief effect-is TO insure uhe teeen',v. 80
OF the chief In office until after ms
friends can speak at the polls In the ram
4, the verdict is favorable, IL they can
deliver the goods, so to speak, ne may re-
main so long as he pleases.
"of course, IL those who have advocated
his retention In office regardless OF the
truth or falsity of the Cristy charges ran
60 nerforp their share OF the work ex-
nected OF them by the Republican ma
chino NEXT fall and the reformers should
capture the city, taking incidentally CON
trol OF the board OF aldermen, a new chief
would undoubtedly be chosen In Feoru-
ary. ro,,na
"Rut II the chiefs friends rally around
the Brayton banner, and retain In power
Yha marty whose state committee CHAIR
,nan "a also a member Of the police COM
mission. is it reasonable TO expect that
marty 10 desert the chief when the time
for selecting a new chief comes around
next February? don't think so.
"As a military man ] believe IL ou.la-
~
at the head OF any body Of men man
Who has been convicted OF attempting 10
consnire against a minister OF the gospel
or any other man, for that matter
Moreover what measure OF faith would
an army have in It's leaders IL they
should court-martial man. nno MN
guilty and then sentence him to be SIM
e., renrimanded. II II was believed that
ne had conspired not only against tne
cnan,ain hut also against the commander
in-chief?
.swho would want to march again under
the banners Of that particular command
er-in-chief who could not enforce respect
for his authority"
Rev. A. b. Cristy. superintendent OF the
Rhode Island Temperance league, was
asked what he had to say.
at do not care TO discuss It." he said.
.rhe board has sustained me by declaring
nv charges were proved.
''I said In my argument that III inc
board was convinced that Frank A. Mat
thews did any one OF the Things charseo
MIN with doing, then he was an unft
wan 10 he at the head of the police de-
nartment That was my personal
opinion.
ushed statement, agreed with me; but the
board did not see At to agree with us on
that point
THAT is solely question for the board
70 determine The board determined II
to its own satisfaction, and do not care
20 discuss the question i am satisfied
as II Is"
John E. Canning. who acted as counsel
for John b. Nash, said: II expected the
board to convict the chief OF police or
the evidence submitted. II appeared tt
me to be conclusive. suppose the
nunishment imposed was the Eravest the
hoard could agree upon; and. even as 4
was. one member dissented. The boart
evidently did its duty as II saw IT,"
Chairman William H. Luther of the
nolice commission denies emphatcally tn
rumors that he intends to resign. or e
give up the Craftsmanship OF the board
in favor OF Commissioner Lewis j. Pierce
Asked why the board made the penalt!
n severe reprimand." Mr.. Luther sai'
that the evidence while perhaps not 81
strong as might have been required In
court OF law, had still been sufficient 70
n majority OF the board to convict, 4
that they took the possible weakness .
the evidence into consideration, am
thought that they were giving the chic
the benefit OF any doubt that might exis
by making the penalty for first convic
ton as light as possible.
''ThIs IL the end OF the present case" h
said. "and no more charges are TO b
brought so far as know. | have no de
sire TO further discuss the case. / kno,
that the people of Providence are tire
OF hearing Of IL.
speaking for my board, I would "a
that we are through talking and inten
to settle right down TO business. We shal
get 10 work TO bring the police depart
ment up TO the highest possible state o
efficiency.
colonel Gross is going away soon, an
nls h..t a