The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-05-21

| sation, and put into bad hole. those
who had claimed that the affair was
I one OF little Importance and or slight
1 public interest.
The general comment upon IL was ex-
ceedingy favorable. the prevailing opin-
| ion being that the commissioners had
commercially shown the sincerity OF their
| purpose and their courage 10 call a spade
spade.
| Perhaps the most notable feature OF
| the comments made was the prompt and
universal recognition OF the fact that the
commissioners in their decision empha-
sized strongly every salient point that
| had ever been prominently brought out
| In the regular reports OF the proceed
ings by the ewsDemocrat. In which IL
| has spicuously led all other newspapers
| from the start.
These opoints. briefly. may thus be
summarized:
That John b. Nash was frightened from
| the city; that Inspector Shea Of Fall
River and Marshal Stebbins OF Springfield
butted in with the effect. II not the intent
| OF frightening Nash: that the chief OF
police used his extraordinary powers to
close Nash's fower stand and TO obtain
evidence against Nash or Meinhold; that
Joseph l.. Guilds statement OF the pur-
pose OF his midnight visit TO Nash was
| far from convincing ana that In view OF
| reopened and the charges brought by the
Rev. A. p. Cristy heard on their merits.
| Not only will the hearing on the orig
inal case be reopened next Wednesday
morning. but II will be public, In defer
ence TO the popular interest shown In
the case from the start, as the commis-
sioners recognize that the case Is the
most important and likely TO be the
most far-reschng I'm tbs consequences in
| the department history.
The attorneys on both sides, with wit
nesses and principals. are hard at work
| on the case.
| While the commissioners believe the
! hearings may be closed within a day or
two. Il would not be at all surprising II
! considerable additional evidence were
! presented while much that was vital 10
the contempt proceedings will be elimi-
mated.
Mr.. Cristy was too busy this morning
TO discuss the case with the representa-
tive OF the News Democrat, but his at
torney Mr.. Rice, when asked II his side
was satisfied with the decision handed
down Saturday. asked, do you think we
! have any reason TO be discouraged or 10
| drop further proceedings"
| Mr. Canning. OF Comstock & Canning.
attorneys for John b. Nash and lis man
| ager, Meinhold. said he expected TO be
| present on Wednesday when Nash will
| be examined further on the main con-
spiracy charge. though Nash has been
metamorphosed by the commissions de-
| cisiop from defendant to witness.
Public interest in the charges which
Rev. A. B. Cristy. superintendent OF the
Rhode Island Temperance League, has
brought against Chief OF Police Frank
| A. Matthews was increased materially
| by the sweeping character OF the unan-
imous decision handed down Saturday
! last by the police commissioners.
Whether IL is a mere flash in the
pan" or the sign OF even more strenu-
Gus action In the near future, is the
question which the shrewdest readers
| OF the evidence that has been made
public are trying to solve.
There can be no question that the
| decision OF the board has served to
dissbuse the public mind OF any i'm
preston that the commissioners are not
| thoroughly in earnest and has shown
| that they are determined not only TO
| get to the bottom OF the evidence In
| the case. but also to act as the condi-
| tions they find may seem TO them to
| warrant.
| While many people who did not
| know the commissioners expected they
| would reopen the hearing and adopt
| such q report as would not lean too
| strongly to either side, lest that might
| appear TO forecast the final decision I'm
the conspiracy case. others thought the
! decision would be straightforward,
| that the commissioners would hew to
the line regardless OF where the chips
| fell: and they were right
The decision has effectually dis
posed OF the intimidation phase OF the
| now celebrated case. st
1t has made II so plain that he who
runs may read that intimidation was
| exercised upon John B. Nash, star Wit
/
II has partly placed the responsibility
| for the intimidation, and has done IL
| so plainly that there is not likely TO
| be any repetition OF such interference
with witnesses hereafter, so long as
| the personnel OF the commission re-
| mains unchanged.
The decision means more than these
things II means that Nash has CON
| Vinccd the police commissioners tnlt IN
! one thing az least. he has tolG the truth,
| that his evidence I'm the Cristyr Matthews
case must be taken. and. N he can sup,
port II as strongly as he has supported
| hig evidence In the Intimidation proceed
| ings that IN inust be beiicVcd.
| Against the chief OF police. so far as the
| public is now informed are arrayed Mr..
cristy. John =. Nash and Meinhold' his
nesses as they have been able to gather.
The chief OF police. II appears. must
rely largely upon his own denial OF the
| ibility OF Nash and Meinhold. He has al
ready sought to discredit the. testimony Of
! Mr.. Cristy.
| The character and conduct Of some of
| the chiefs witnesses has not been such as
| to inspire any respect for the nature Of
| their testimony concerning Nash or any
| BODY else. but there are others yet 20
| come. and not all OF the testimony giver
at the first hearing has been published.
1 AS 10 the general character OF Nash.
| City Solicitor Albert A. Baker has shown
| an his advice to- the board a disposition 10
ccn1ne evidence largely to things imputed
| 10 Nash within the last two years.
Generally speaking, Il appears that
/ Nashs conduct OF his business within
| that period has not been OF such nature
| ps 10 make him the prey of the police.
His disposition to do what appeared TO
be right was shown. II is urged. when he
| employed Rev. a. u. Cristy at the sug-
| gestion. he claims OF the chief OF police.
To censor his pictures In the penny vaude-
| willie show here.