The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-03

From the date Of Timothy f. Molloy's
election, the Democratic party has not
Rad square deal or a fair show before
the board OF canvassers and registra-
ton"
Thus spoke Richard n. Comstock at the
big non-partisan gathering OF citizens In
Music hall last evening. while the crowd
cheered him 10 the echo and vigorously
Kissed Malloy.
Former Chief Justice Charles Matteson.
one OF the most honored citizens OF the
state. presided and stated the object oi
the meeting and defined the sentiments OF
oil honest men clearly In the following
brief statement:
I'VE come here not as Republicans or
Democrats. or members OF any political
organizations. or as advocates of the
claims OF any man or set OF men 10
official position. but simply In the IN.
tfrest OF common political honesty and
square dealing.
There is a suspicion--l don't say IL
positively. for | am not sufficiently ia
miliar with the circumstances-thatc GER
tain election officials have entered into
scheme 20 so manipulate the ballots on
election day that certain candidates Will
be counted out We have come together
tn protest against this i'm the interest OF
civic righteousness
II know OF no better safeguard against
the carrying out of such a purpose than
ar aroused public sentiment. such as is
indicated by meeting OF this sort. IL
IS necessary TO keep alive and alert II
we want to protect our political rights.
Eternal vigilance Is the price OF political
welfare. as we'll OF liberty.
lie introduced as the first speaker Prof.
William Macdonald OF Brown university.
whose powerful address was punctuated
with enthusiastic applause.
Former State Senator James VI. Thurs
ton told OF specific instances OF fraud I'm
the First ward. where he resides. and
pointed out obvious methods Of counter
acting the work Of the ballot box suffers
and manpulators.
Then Mr.. Comstock was introduced and
The crowd gave him an ovation, three dis
tipct waves of applause and cheers
IGaking the hall ring. while the speaker
lnodestly bowed his thanks and waved his
hand deprecatingly.
Finally he was allowed TO proceed and
owing TO the character of hic charges con-
fired himself TO n carefully prepared man
uscript. which contained a review of the
early history OF the board af canvassers
and registration. it's honest conduct for
the first few years when IL was managed
solely by Republicans and until 1904. af-
Ter Joseph =. Canning. a Democrat. had
been given place on the board, and be-
fore a certain Brayton-Perry agent had
dipped his Shiny finger into the boards
work.
He told a story which aroused the audi
ence to a vigorous expression OF denuncia-
tion for the boss. OF how this "acknowl-
edged boss OF tho city machine, John j.
Rosenfeld." went to Mr.. Canning and
sought to influence him not to "see too
much" how he later went to Mr.. Can
ning's brother, John E.. and told him
that Joseph was foolish. and made
proposition which Mr.. Canning
refused 10 lay before his brother.
hnt nf w fVao'
rnoval from the board by the Republican
city ring at the dictation OF Frank f. Hol-
den, chairman OF the Republican state
committee who said that "the interests OF
the Republican party required the defeat
Of Mr.. Canning and the election OF Mr..
Malloy."
Letters were read from President
Faunce OF Brown university. Attorney
General Greenough and Edward NJ.
office. declaring for the maintenance
of law and the sanctity of the bal
pen were always on the side OF civic
righteous. He said in part: ,.
I'VE are threatened with n dishonest
election. What we face is the Jeri
Gus danger OF intended fraud on tho
part OF tho board of canvassers. The
legal rights; but the deliberate APP
pointment as supervisors OF men
against whom serious and specific
ThaVe formally been made. admits OF
but one Interpretation II amounts to
a presumption OF fraudulent intent
Il protest against the action OF the
board OF canvassers as a flagrant outrage
and insult to the honesty. intelligence
and decency OF this city, a violation OF
our right to free election and fair
count
"We can send such number OF watch
- N render
fraud more difficult Are there not enough
young men In Providence To respond 20
such a call IL II were made?
I'VE can bury the Republican machine
ticket under such a shower OF straight
Democratic and Lincoln party ballots
that the election officers VIII not dare 10
count them aut
Richard r. Comstock was next intro
duced and gave a detailed history OF the
appointment OF the board OF canVassers
and the changes that have occurred in
the personnel. He said I'm part.
You all remember the year 1904. IN
which n general assembly was elected
which was 10 elect n United states sena-
tor.
The politicians knew tho Importance Of
this board The city council was abso-
lutey I'm the control of the city machine.
The year coming on was what Is known
IN this state as tho 'Aldrich gear. Joseph
l.. Canning's term as member or the
board was expiring and he was anxious
or a reelection.
''The acknowledged boss Of the city ma
chine went TO Joseph Il. Canning and
asked him II he desired reelection. Mr..
Canning stated he did. and was told by
this boss that if he wouldn't sec too much
as TO what was being done In the board
ne could retain his office. Mr.. Canning
stated that he would perform his duty
and would not I'm any way go outside the
lines OF his duty
THE boss then sent for John y. Can
ming. tho brother Of Joseph r. Canning.
n man with whom 7 feel honored I'm be-
ing associated. and stated that his broth
or Joseph Y Canning. was acting very
foolish; that IL he would allow the other