The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-13

II was very innocent looking resolu-
ton that was passed by the board OF al
fermen Wednesday night By which the
voting district lines were changed IN Ward
]. Inc reason given tor thas change was
that IL would equalize the numoer or vot-
ers in each OF the three districts ana,
therefore, make voting easier and facill-
tate the counting OF the ballots, worthy
enough IL II was true.
But as might have been expected OF any
thing the Republican machine In this city
undertakes 10 do where the matter OF
voting plays any part, there was a game
on. Lnder the old district lines there was
one district In this ward which was
strongly Democratic ana this district
each year elected Democratic warden
and clerk.
Such a horrible condition OF affairs
where IL could possibly be prevented was
abhorrent 10 the men who make up the
city hall macine and so they have decided
10 change IT, OF course. II was not pos
sible TO send all the wicked Democrats
In the ward over into the adjoining state
OF Massachusetts, but II was possible TO
draw lines within the ward In such way
that the Democratic warden and clerk
would have but very little show OF being
elected.
TO do this didn't require great deal
OF ingenuity, but simply a knowledge OF
section of the city. Those of the Kepub-
lcan machine who know the most about
this got together and the job was done.
Under the old lines Chairman Butler
OF the Democratic city committee was To-
rated In district No. e. which was the
strong Democratic district. lie had lived
In that section OF the city for many years
and knows the people. IL is this district
which has always stood so strong for him
whenever he was a candidate for any
onice.
BRoWNiNo's AMBITION.
Another resident OF that district was
Richard Browning. clerk OF the board OF
assessors. and one OF the most active
members OF the Republican machine. In
years past Mr.. Browning, who by those
who are best acquainted with him is known
as Dick" has often desired to have a
hand in the official work about the polls
on election day. Unfortunately for his
ambitions In this direction. however. a
Democratic majority has most unfeelingly
turned him down, and he has had 10 be
content TO stay outside Of the rail or serve
his bosses In the position OF supervisor.
All this has rankled in tho heart OF Mr..
Browning. He has wanted a change I'm
order that he might fare better and also
In order that the affairs OF the district
on election day would be In the hands
OF the Republicans. The way 10 bring
this about was open and the resolution
changing the district lines was introduced
and passed by the board OF aldermen. not
because the most of them knew anything
about IT, but because they were told TO
do so by the men who control them
Under this new deal large part OF the
Democrats who have heretofore voted IN
tse second district are placed In the third
district, which has always been strongly
Republican and then the lines have been
Arnw .In4 (ftal- -
Republicans are placed in each district
20 give a reasonable assurance OF a Re-
publican majiority.
In bringing about this change there is
q sad turning and twisting OF the lines
and the result Ia that Chairman Butler
is cut off from direct political association
with a great many OF his friends while
Dick" Browning is placed in the third
district, where he can have close eye
on the doings OF the new voters OF that
district.
ONLY A oERRYMANpER.
II Is the old game OF gerrymander in
which the Republicans are such adopts,
far as the wardens and clerks are con-
cerned. but in doing II the Republicans
are only adding one more TO the already
heavy burden which they are carrying
and for which the great masses OF the
voters are going TO exact full pay when
the next election day comes round.
gone mad with power It is the one which
controls things In this city. Fairness Is
never considered under any circum-
stances. The only thing that appeals 10
ing 10 their system there must be no
break in this control at any point and
whenever the voters in any part OF the
city seem to disagree with them and
there Is danger OF losing an office which
pays even the smallest sum, then a
scheme must be devised whereby the ma
chino must give II 10 one OF their strik-
ers
the members OF the machine has carried
them at times far beyond the point OF
common dscency. and the strangest thing
about IT is that men who are considered
game. So long has this been doing on
that the men who are doing this dirty
work appear TO think that they are all
powerful But there is going 10 be a
that, too. very soon. when the people are
going 70 wake up to the game which is
being played on them, and then there
will be turning over that will bury
some OF these heeers so deep that they
Will never he resurrected
The LIGHT TURNED ON
In years past this band. which has got
the city hall so tightly In Its grasp, has
been able 10 do Its work without the pub
lie having any knowledge OF its acts. Oc.
casionally when something exceptionally
bad was attempted there would be a lit
tie spasm on the part of the local news
paper. but Its condemnation has always
been OF the conciliatory kind IL IL con
demned In one sentence II smoothed Il all
over In the next. and then when cleo
uon day came around the part which
this Republican machine had played dur.
ing the year was easily forgotten But
this same machine is going TO find itself