The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-05-22

case now pending against Chief OF Pollce
Frank A. Matthews. whether II Is praised
ordained. Is -eertain--
None OF the commissioners cared today
to discuss the attack made upon them
yesterday because of the decision they
handed down last Saturday, contenting
themselves with the statements con-
tained In the decision itself.
Chairman William IL. Luther did not
even go near the police headquarters this
morning. preferring TO take good rest
In preparation for tomorrows ordeal,
when the hearing in the conspiracy case
brought by Rev. A. II. Cristy against the
chief will be resumed; and neither Col.
Gross nor Commissioner Pierce could be
II is remarked on the streets and wher-
ever men congregate 10 discuss this up
per local topic, that the surprising feature
OF the commissions decision is It's unan-
unity.
That this should not be cause for re-
mark, however. Is attested by the records
of the commission. aside from the ICON
vincing character OF the evidence In this
particular case.
cisions have always been unanimous; that
matters which are likely to cause divi-
sions OF opinion are always thoroughly
considered and discussed by all the MEM
bers that sometimes compromises are
reached and that at other times one com
missioner or even two commissioners, may
come over TO the side OF the third com
missioner, but always the decision comes
with the weight OF agreement by the en-
tire board.
Save me from my friends; I can de-
fend myself against mine enemies" cried
Attorney Herbert W. Rice. who repre-
sented Rev. Mr.. Cristy at the hearing OF
the intimidation charges.
That the chief OF police, who is the de-
fendant in the case. has ample reason for
echoing the cry. no one doubts after read
ing the attempted defense OF the chief
and the criticisms aimed at the police
commission by the chiefs ''mouthpiece.
This independent" organ. after calling
attention TO what IL declares to be a
strong public sentiment hostile to tho
commissions unanimous decision. makes
the foolish mistake OF parading the peo-
pie where all who doubt may see them.
and the people turn out 10 be Messrs.
Shea, police inspector OF Fall River. and
stebbins, city marshal OF Springfield, both
OF whom were condemned by the police
commission for unwarranted interference
in the case brought against Chief Mat
thews
As the News-Democrat stated yesterday
the commissions decision seemed to
please everybody except those whom II
scored
The universal feeling is that there could
not well have been any other decision
from n self-respecting body OF citizens
sworn 10 do their duty 20 the people OF
Providence.
No one believes -that-fhn-p pnlIce-coflfnls-
sion In anxious TO cast any stones at the
police force under It's control No one be-
iieves that II would seek excuses for
fault-nnding or unjustly criticise, with or
without a hearing.
Yet when that body deliberately reaches
a conclusion, after weeks OF patient, con-
seientious investigation. In which ample
opportunity is given TO all parties con-
earned 10 explain TO their hearts con-
~ia iat
ne commission colud not well escape
branding and exclaims In faring head
lines Criticism OF Police Boards Re
port"
n this ill-timed criticism Of the police
commission Is expected to aid the chief
Of police " looks as II some one has
,ignally failed to appreciate the stun OF
which the present commissioners are
made.
Persons familiar with the personnel OF
the commission believe that II Is not
by any means hostile to the chief OF
polIce Those who attended the hearing
and witnessed the proceedings. who saw
the extreme courtesy with which the chief
OF police was treated the good feilow-
ship that prevailed on all sides, so FAR
as the relations Of chief and commits
sioners were concerned. would hesitate
long before they would believe that the
commi.sioners unanimous decision was
nromnted ev-anythlng save the unescap-
able and damning facts In the case u
And they cannot now escape still an
other conclusion, that this case, which
the "mouthpiece" recently declared mao
sunk 10 the dead level Of commonplace
news" and was tempest In teapot
seems 10 be rapidly resolving Itself into
something Of sufTcient importance TO
make IL rise high enough Tor the muo-
.linger. 10 use Il as a target. first further
soiling their own hands
OF course. there could be no relation be-
tween the facts recited by the Rev. a. B
Crastv An an interview today and the at
tttude of the organ, but when the two are
oounled as even the not over-surpicous
would be in,lined to do, under the circun-
stances. II is held TO look as III the IN
timsiation which was directed hrst AT
Nash and presumably In the interest or
the chief OF police" as rhe hev, MT
Cristy put II. has now been turned upon
Mr.. Crkty himself
Not orav docs ne find II difficult ac-
coriina 10 his statement In a sermon, to
find an attorney who would brave the
wrath OF the chiefs vrtuous friends, but
he cannot make n speech that mas been
advertised long enough for the people to
learn OF g. without having some vigilant
stenographer. possibly volunteer, prob
ably not present to take down his every !
utterance.
The fact that quotations from his speech |
OF last Sunday appeared only In the |
'mouthpiece' might naturally raise the |
eusplcion that the stenographer who Is !
Following Rev. Mr.. Cristy In not acting |
IN the interests OF any exponent OF the !
Journalism which finds this sensational |
case above the commonplace level"
II everybody connected with this case
were as religiously- followed as Mr.. Cristy /
says he has been. there would undaubt- |
edly be unearthed material In which a |
Town Topics might revel.
The conferences that have been held I
after dark the sneaking I'm and out OF /
back door, the hurried trips by night I
here and there. by railroad ond other /
routes, may have an important bearing: |
but they are too commonplace" and for |