The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-25
FIRST WARDERS
DEMAND RIGHTS
Ask Police Commission Take Into Its Own Hands Assignment
OF Officers Cauuses and Cite Specific Instances Of Out
and Frauds of Past Two Years by Braytons engs
in Support Their Demand for Protection of the Purity of
the Ballot.

brought into office the present ward
committee.
In 1906 more perfect plot was con-
conceived and almost carried through.
The caucus was conducted I'm a perfectly
orderly manner. no cause for complaint
arising until the closing OF the polls
Thereafter, In defiance OF the law, which
was read TO him. Warden Young refused
TO allow more than one watcher for each
OF the two tickets nominated at the eau
Gus To inspect the count.
'The police threatened 10 arrest one OF
the watchers who insisted on inspecting
the cneck lists. Moreover. the police
pushed back all citizens I'm the ward room
10 a distance of at least six feet from the
platform on which the ballots were count
ed and lined up In front OF citizens, form
Ing an almost impenetrable wall against
witnesses OF tho court The warden also
placed his clerks during the count in DO
sitions TO further obscure vision
I'm some rDaterious way 200 ballots
were mingled with those In the ballot box
The lone watcher testified TO seeing
punches OF ballots on the table used at
tn, count rhe number OF ballots re-
turned was 200 ia excess of an accurate
tally of the names of voters taken by two
persons I'm the ward room. but the num-
bar OF ballots almost tailed with the num-
her of names checked on the check lists
'Ninety-seNcn persons were brought be-
fore the heard TO testify that although
their names were checked as voted. they
had not attended the caucus The board
OF canvassers declared the caucus illegal.
but because its SUCCESSORS had not elect
ed. the ward committee elected by fraud
Ia 1904 retained office by fraud in 1905.
petition for a new caucus was denied
by the bcaid. anG the supreme court re-
fused to issue writ OF mandamus COM
pelllng the calling or n new caucus.
fNNaN NNra1.N
law is tina: s. ward committee may per-
petuate Itself in power by its own fraud;
and that is exactly what persons inti-
mate with the present ward committee
promise for 1906.
I'm view OF the foregoing. alleged az
facts, and In view OF the further fact
that the warden and clerks for 1906 have
been named by the same corrupt ward
committee. your petitioners pray:.
First that the officers assigned TO at
tendance at the First ward Democratic
caucus in 1906 shall be instructed 10 en-
force the laws OF the state and 10 ar
rest persons who violate these laws
Second. that said officers shall be di-
rected 10 observe carefully the conduct
OF the warden and clerks and Of voters
10 prevent illegal checking OF names ana
Illegal voting.
Third. that said officers shall be di-
rected to preserve good order and protect
the rights OF citizens.
Fourth. that said OFFICERS shall see TO
IL that the warden allows TO inspect tho
balloting and count the watchers rrs-
scribed by law.
Fifth. that said officers shall he in
structed TO remove from the vicinity OF
the ballot box previous TO the count. all
rubbish or loose ballots not voted
Sixth that so far as possible while
preserving the count from obstruction and
interference the officers shall insist that
the count be made in plain view OF peo-
pie In the ward room and particularly in
the view OF the watchers prescribed by
law
Seventh, that said officers Shall be
appointed directly by the board Of police
commissioners and shall be instructed
| by the chairman OF the board OF police
| commissioners I'm their duties.
| CHARLES CARROLL.
| LEWIS A. WATERMAN.
JOHN pSRAN.
| JAMES II. THURSTON
Committed"