The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-26
FLAYED The
BUmPT|OUS JENNINGS

before he undertakes to tell the people of
Rhode Island that l have full authority
over the police department.
He SAYS the police force Is demoralized
by the interference OF Democratic poll
ticians. Again. sir, you know absolutely
nothing about what you say. You can
not prove one word OF your statement.
The police force ls not demoralized. i
challenge Jennings or any other man In
Rhode Island to prove that my manage
ment OF the police affairs OF Pawtucket
has ever been influenced I'm one Instance
by any Democratic politician or any
other kind OF a politician.
He says there IL no enforcement or
the law I'm Certain classes OF cases In
Pawtlcket He knows nothing about the
enforcement OF the law I'm Pawtucket. He
cannot name a single instance in my
career where l have ever neglected TO do
M duty in this respect.
"I am proud that Jennings has brought
this matter 10 the attention OF the public.
| am delighted that he has questioned
by administration OF affairs there, be-
cause there Is not an instance connected
with my four years administration that
am afraid TO have Investigated 10 the
very limit.
"If my conduct OF affairs has been what
he says. why Is II that machine board
OF aldermen, TO which ] have been and
am now opposed. have not ordered on
investigation OF such affairs?
He talks about kitchen barrooms ana
slot machines in Pawtucket Again he
speaks in complete ignorance OF condi-
tions there. Name your kitchen bar
rooms Jennings, IL you can. Tell me
where they are, and I will guarantee
you or any other citizen OF Rhole ISL
and that they Will be closed up in five
minutes.
Name the places. Jennings, IL you can.
where slot machine business is carried
on in Pawtucket. and will shut them UP
in less time than II takes 20 say jack
Robinson
You say Pawtucket is notoriously wide
open during the greater part OF the year.
You know better. and you know that
your informant is politician in Paw
tucket, who has for several years been
straning every nerve TO discredit the
mayor.
THE city OF Pawtucket Is the cleanest
and best city In the state Of Rhode Island
today; and 7 dare Jennings or anybody else
to place any community in the state be-
side st. so far as good government is con-
cerned as affected by the police depart
ment over which ! have partial control.
There is less crime TO the square mile
in Pawtucket than there is to the square
inch in the cities OF Newport and Provi-
dence. where Republican machine police
commissions have entire control over
the police department.
Jennings knows this well, and his vain
effort TO find fault with my administra-
tion in Pawtucket is typical OF the man
ner in which Boss Brayton and his crowd
do things.
..Ha- talks about a gas contract being
signed IN Pawtucket. I am pleased 10
have my every action relating TO that
case held up before the searchlight OF
public opinion and public investigation.
Is there anything wrong about that con-
tract which I signed? Let Jennings ex-
plain what he means by his vile insinu-
ations.
II did hold up a gas contract In Paw
tucket for several years because be-
lieved its terms were unfair and because
I was opposed TO exclusive franchises n 8
a matter Of principle.
when / signed the contract I sent
special letter 10 the city council explain
ing my action In full II Jennings had
kept posted on Pawtucket affairs he
would have known better than TO ques-
ton this contract II he or any other