The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-09
IN
PAWTUCKET B00MS
Chairman Butler Of The Democratic Committee Meeting With
Great Success In His Efforts 10 Get Members Of the Party
TO Qualify as EIGcors-Mayor Higgins and Mr.. Fitzgerald
As Possible Candidates In Fall Campaign Reduction In
the Price Of Gas Under New Contract Preparations for An
Elaborate Celebration Of 81. Johns Day

Except for the efforts being made 10
secure a large registration of the voters
comparatively little interest is shown in
political matters just at present The
leaders OF the Democratic party know
they have hard battle bofore them in
which the chances for success are grow
ing brighter every day. but TO attempt at
this early period to make any plans for
the work would be useless.
Judging from what has occurred in re-
cent years the Pawtucket leaders will be
heard In the councils Of the party OF the
state and it remains to be seen II the
city will furnish any OF the general can
didates on the ticket.
As stated a week ago IN the News
Democrat. Mayor Higgins, though he an
nounced that he will not be a candidate
for reelection this fall. had nothing 10
say about the possibility OF his being
named as the gubernatorial candidate.
The fact Is that Mayor Higgins Is not
IN the best OF health A year ago this
time he was quite Ill. and his friends
feared he would be unable TO go through
the turmoil OF state campaign. Since
then he has 10 a large extent recovered,
but still he IL not inclined 10 go into
big fight. That he has peen urged 10 con-
slider the higher Office goes without say
ing. but II he has made any statements
regarding his position IL has been done I'm
confidence and those who are anxious
TO learn where he stands Will probably
have TO wait for some months yet
There was a time when John j. Fitz-
gerald wanted 10 mako the run for the
governorship. His failure 10 get the
nomination caused n split in the party
at the time, but this has been entirely
healed during the past - months. and
~his fall Mr.. Fitzgerald will be found
working shoulder TO shoulder with those
who opposed his aspirations at that time.
1t Is not beyond the possibilities mat ne
may come out as a candidate for the gov
ernorship nomination this year. but II he
has any such idea he Is not saying any
thing about II now.
So far as city affairs are concerned the
Democracy was never In better shape
than II Is today. Chairman Butler OF
the Democratic city committee ia busy
with the work OF registration and he is
meeting with Gratifying success. There
Is no doubt that the Democratic regis
tration is far ahead OF the Republicans.
For some reason the leaders OF the Re-
publican machine appear not to be taxing
a great deal OF interest This may be
because Il Is a foregone conclusion that
the city will this year elect Democratic
delegation TO the legislature. What may
happen before the last day OF the month
remains to be seen, but II Is absolutely
certain that there Is little activity in the
Republican ranks at the present time.
The probabilities are that the-Repub-
licans will spend their energies In keeping
control OF the city council. BY this cen
troll all the plums for the party workers
are obtained and that appears to be in
centive enough
DOLLAR GAS.
AS result OF the action OF the city
council committee on street lights In
signing the contract with the Pawtucket
Gas company for a 15-year exclusive
franchise the time is rapidly approaching
when the people will pe furnished with
dollar gas"
This action OF the committee followed
very quickly the act of the mayor In sign
ing the council resolution authorizing the
contract. Mayor Higgins has stated his
reasons for affixing his signature. and
these will be read TO the common council
at Its next meeting. He states that he
Is just as much opposed TO the principle
Of exclusive franchises as he ever was
but that by the nature OF circumstances
the gas company at the present time has
TO all intents and purposes an exclusive
franchise and, therefore. he does not
ieei tnat ne would De 1ustined In opposing
the advantages which must accrue from
the worRfng out or rhfs contract
The contract provides that on and after
July Is the gas company will charge
sl.10 per thousand feet. this TO be reduced
at the end Of five years TO 81 .05 per thou
sand feet and at the end OF ten years the
gas will be furnished TO consumers for
81 per thousand. When II is remembered
that the present price OF gas I'm this city
Is Sl.40 per thousand Il IS easy TO see that
there is TO be a big reduction.
At the meeting OF the Pawtucket Mer-
chants association helc Wednesday night
the statement was made that by the
working out OF this contract the city OF
Pawtucket would receive its gas for less
price than was being paid in any city