The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-06

The alleged investigation into the COZ
duct OF the police department of this city
during the past two years has been con-
cluded, and while during its early stages
II appeared TO be considerably OF farce
II has finally wound up In the rankest ex-
hibition of unfairness and injustice that
has ever been shown In this section on
the state.
IL has been the habit OF certain mem
bers Of the Republican machine In past
years to refer sarcasticaly from time 70
time 10 tissue ballots when they wanted
10 be particularly severe against their po-
litical opponents But from this time on
these people had better say nothing.
From the beginning OF the investigation
the methods adopted were OF the most
contemplate character. The alleged pur-
pose OF the inquiry was 10 learn lf the
laws OF the state had been properly en-
forced by the police. but the real purpose
as shown in practically every questlol
put BY Attorney Bowen, was 10 besmlrcu
the character OF Mayor McNally. fet
with all OF the questioning and all OF the
Witnesses and with all OF the leeway ne
was given 10 put questions which ne knew
he never would have been allowed 10 put
had the board been fair and unpre)udiceu,
IL was not shown I'm a single instance that
Mayor McNally had done anything that
was wrong.
In all OF the long array Of witnesses ex-
amined. there was just one man who SAID
he had paid money 10 Mayor McNally Tor
protection and the evidence OF this VIII
ness was mpeached within Ave minutes
after Attorney John j. Fitzgerald got
hold OF him. There were insinuations ana
opinions OF witnesses and the board per-
mitted these TO be given under OATH as
though the witnesses were testfylng 10
facts OF which they knew something, but
although Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr.. Will
liams continually objected to these ques-
tions and answers they were allowed be-
cause they were put by Mr.. Bowen.
But the final piece OF rank injustice oc-
CURED on Friday night. after the evidence
had all been put in and the arguments oi
the attorneys had been made. Then came
a motion from Alderman Smith that re-
cess be taken TIL next Thursday, at which
time the board should meet In executive
session with City Solicitor Butman and
Attorney Bowen. Alderman Pigeon ana
Alderman Wright at once demanded that
the two other attorneys be permitted 10
be present at this session, but TINS was
objected 20. and without paying any at
tention to the remarks OF anyone except
Alderman Smith. President Davenport put
the question and the resolution was pass
ed with Messrs. Pigeon and Wright vot-
ing i'm the negative.
ALDERMAN SMITH A PARTISAN:
Displea sure. disgust and contempt, with
which the people Of Central Falls regard
the men on this board OF aldermen, who
are responsible for It's arbitrary actions.
Is plainly manifest. Alderman Smith mas
shown 10y his action In this case that ne
is unqualified TO perform the duties of
the office which he holds. He has shown
that he is so tightly in the grasp OF the
RepN.lican machine, that he can do noth,
ing tnat is fair. There have been good
many people I'm the city, who up 10 with
in a short time. felt that the alderman
from the First ward was man who was
trying 10 do his duty as he saw IL, and
that his disregard OF the criticism that
were being made OF his conduct. was sim
ply independence. But since this inVesu-
cation was started, these same people
have changed their minds. They have
found that he was the kind OF man who
makes UP his mind first and only listen
TO the arguments because he is Obliged
OF his changing his opinion. He was out
10 down Msyor McNally, and the fact
that after all OF the time that has been
put into the case and the money that has
been spent. the evidence has been so
weak. r. one Of the things that is troub-
ling him.
But he knows. too. that the whole pur-
pose Of hearing this evidence, was In
order that It might be given to the pub
lie lie apparently realized that the case,
so far as the finding Is concerned, is al
ready settled. There are certain formali-
ties that II seems wise 20 go through. but
these will not effect the verdict.
RANKLY PREJUDICED
President Davenport Is another man
who has shown his incompetency. Never
before in the history of the state II Is
safe to say. has a board been presided
over by man who showed such preju-
dice. To the Third ward alderman there
was but one side to this case. and so far
as he was concerned there was no need 10
hear any other. The time which Mr..
Fitzgerald and Mr.. Williams took in
cross-examination, was Just so much
time wasted. and at times he went so far
as 10 say so. too. His rulings were OF
the rankest kind. and his efforts 10 look
and act fair were almost ludicrous.
Alderman Franklin seems not 10 have
been much OF a factor so far IL would
seem that he has been trying to straddle
both sides OF the question and IL was not
fiat footed and voted, so that II could be
seen Just where he stood. Then IL was
that he took a position I'm the same class
with Alderman Smith and Alderman Dav-
export.
The other two members OF the board
Alderman Pigeon and Alderman Wright,
have endeavored to be fair and just They
have repeatedly offered motions which
were intended 10 give TO the attorneys for
the mayor a chance to get their evil
dence before the board. and on Friday
night both OF these gentlemen protested
in the most emphatic manner against
the arbitrary action taken by Mr. Smith.
10 have Messrs. Fitzgerald and williams
shut out OF the executive session. Judg-
Ing IIOnl lUtI pDslnDu ever SINCE the
hearing began, IL Is believed they can be
depended upon to give decision in ac-
cordance with what they believe the evil
dence has proven. and while this decision
may be against Mayor McNally. II is be-
lieved that. 30 far as they are concerned
IL will be an honest one.
QUESTION OF COST.
still another question Is interesting the
people. and that Is the matter of the
cost OF this affair. II Is said that I'm or
der 10 play this political game I'm the In
terest OF the Republican machine. the
city has got TO foot the bills. which may
amount TO moro than $500. And what has
the city and the taxpayers got
ten out OF IT, Nothing IL known
now that was not known before
the Investigation began. II has been
shown that there was illegal liquor sell
ing going on IN the city. that the liquor
dealers had been banded together and had
taken an active part in the iocal political
campaigns. II has been shown that Ger
tain raids have been made and that some