The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-20
A TRAVESTY OF JUSTICE.

with testimony presented approval right
thinking citizens their conviction judg
could honestly reached
unoded.
After pronounng Matthews guilty, however the majority OF
The commission PROCEEDED TO EMASCULATE ITS OWN
FINDING; TO STULTIFY ITSELF IN THE EYES OF THE
WHOLE COMMUNITY AND TO OUTRAGE THE SENSE OF
RIGHT AND JUSTICE OF THE PEOPLE OF PROVIDENCE
by imposing punishment for this grave offence the petty
penalty of reprmand
That anger upon the shock and amazement
caused by the of the SCANDALOUSLY MADE
QUATE SENTENCE is in way surprising
Matthews tried the bar Of public opinion, we'll
before the police commission The evidence which the
sion heard the people read and that evidence both that
MATTHEWS is GUILTY, INCONTESTABLY AND UNQUEs-
TIONABLY GUILTY.
Beyond point agreement whatever people
would ENFORCE A RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT BY AN
EQUALLY RIGHTEOUS PENALTY. They would nhict on
chief punishment popoonate gravity
offence he committed
They would thrust him of position they believe him
proven unfit and unworthy to hold-A POSITION HIS CON-
VICTION SHOWS HE HAS DISHONORED AND DIS
GRACED Never would they mock justice and decency
the escape such delinquent with the farcica
penalty OF a impotent reprimand
But the people allegiance neither ring machine
Their judgment be warped by the crack of Boss whip
their DEGREES shaped partisan exigency.
he commission is the creature OF political ring and appears
have proven its spne subervience that ring SHAME
LESS FAILURE TO DO ITS DUTY FEARLESsLY AND
MANFULLY.
By words the commission is CONVICTED OF AN
UNBLUsHING TRAvEsTY OF JUSTICE AND WANToN
DISREGARD OF THE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF THE
CITIZENS OF THIS COMMUNITY.
The witnesses relied upon by Rev Mr.. Crsy prove his
charges against Matthews Nash and his Mnhod
Here what the commission concerning these witnesses
WHATEVER THE PAST RECORDS OF THESE TWO
MEN HAVE BEEN ALONG THE LINES OF THEIR BUSI
NESS AS SHOWMEN AND CONDUCTORS OF GAMES AND
AMUSEMENTS THEY GAVE THEIR TESTIMONY IN
FRANK, FREE AND CONSISTENT MANNER, AND, WITH
SUCH A BEARING AND WITH SUCH APPARENT TRUTH
FULNEsS THAT A MAJORITY OF THIS BOARD is FULLY
CONVINCED THAT THEY TOLD THE TRUTH"
Matthews fatty denied the of Nash and Menhod
IF 1T DOES so BELIEVE MUST 1T NOT BELIEVE
ALSO THAT MATTHEWS LIED UNDER oATH1
Why then should the commission, believing, it
does penaize with haccid reprimand and permit continue
the executive head of the police department. declares
by inference and implication asi6ed while the ob
cation of oath?
either the community the police department. CAN SUCH
A CHIEF UNDER ANY CONCEIVABLE CIRCUMSTANCES,
SECURE THAT DEGREE OF EFFICIENCY AND MAINTAIN
THAT STANDARD OF DISCIPLINE AND THAT MORALE
THE PEOPLE PAY FOR AND HAVE RIGHT TO DE-
MAND3
OF any police has the support
Of mischevousy active political ring
removal can be secured? WILL NOTHING SHORT OF
COMMISSION OF CRIME THAT WILL BRING HIM WITH
IN THE GRASP OF THE LAW, AND TAKE HIM BEYOND
THE JURISDICTION OF THE POLICE COMMISSION, SUI
FICE TO RID THE POLICE DEPARTMENT OF SUCH A
CHIEF?
These questions awlovng Providence
asking but from commission manifesty subservien ring
influences pressure expected
consciousness OF nonous failure TO mee out handed
justice will impose silence
HOW DIFFERENT THE TREATMENT ACCORDED THE
LATE CAPTAIN PARKER one capable and efficient
officers who served the that Chief Matthews
For honestly crcsing what he believed what majority
people also believed the wretchd conditions prevailing
police department and the responsible Capt
kcr after chamber trial stripped OF his rank
FOR ATTEMPTING TO CONSPIRE TO BRING oDIUM
ON The CHARACTER OF REV. Mr.. CRISTY CHIEF MAT
THEWS, THOUGH PRONOUNCED GUILTY. is PENAL
lied ONLY BY A PoINTLEss AND USELESS REPRI
y