The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-18
FRIENDLY CONTEST

councilman Joseph a. HuRneS was a
candidate for the Democratic mayoralty
nomination In Pawtucket, caused a feel
ing OF jubilation among the hundreds of
friends of the young lawyer who have
watched his work in the lower branch Of
the city council and who wish 10 see him
receive still further honors at the hands
OF his party and the people. IL was also
received with no degree OF displeasure by
the friends OF Mr.. Corcoran. who is also
a candidate for the place, although IL IL
a fact that he has never given out an
authorized statement TO that effect
These Democrats realize that Mr. Cor
coran has no mortgage on the nomina-
tion, and while they would like 10 have
him nominated still they are in favor of
the man who shows he is the strongest
before the voters. as they realize that
whoever secures the nomination be II Mr..
Hughes or Mr.. Corcoran. the party Is not
obliged to make any apologies for it's can
didate.
The perfectly fair statement which Mr..
Hughes made that willie he is a candi-
date for the nomination whoever the city
convention nominated will receive his
hearty support, was very satisfactory TO
the Democratic leaders, because II gives
no indication of anything resembling a
bitter fight that will have any effect on
the election. Indeed. IL was admitted that
IL would have a good effect II two or more
men started a friendsly contest for the
place. as IL would stir up the voters and
make 1t easier TO get out full vote on
election day.
MR.. coRcORAN OUT OF CITY.
Mr.. ,Corcoran is still out of the city and
will probably not return till next week.
80 that he can make no statement re-
garding his position. IL is believed, now
~ vph ha uyil
nounce his candidacy and IL is barely
possible there will be others who viii
want TO get into the fight for delegates.
So long as the contest is OF a friendly
character no one can take any exception
10 IL. The Democratic nomination for the
which probably means the
election as well. belongs TO no man until
he has shown that the voters or that
party want him. Those voters ought 10
have a chance to make selection be-
tween two or more and then everyone will
he better satisfied.
Up TO the present time no probable can
didates for either place on the Democrats
ticket have been announced A promi-
nent Democratic leader stated this week
that the question OF candidates is being
considered. and that while a few
names had been suggested no slate has
been fixed up. He declared that the tick
never before been connected with posi-
tions of this character and i'm all proba-
bility the independent element of the city
would receive recognition. He thought
also that the labor element would be re-
cognized and II would probably be for
the labor unions themselves TO say who
they wanted except that when the eau
cuses were held there would always be n
free chance for any candidate 10 secure
delegates.
WHY THAT AWARD.
Pawtucket people are very desirous OF
knowing what actuated the property COM
mittee OF the school board to recommend
that the award for the new Lincoln ave-
nue. addition he made TO one firm OF con-
tractors when another 1rm was the low
est bidder Mrs. Tobie, the chairman Of
the subcommittee. is not inclined 10 give
and reason except a woman's reason "be-
cause why the award was made 10 the
firm OF Humes, Cruise & Smiley. when the
bid OF Francis Charter was several hum
dred dollars less
She declares that n majority OF the sub
committee voted in favor OF the former
firm and that she voted with the major
ity II Is also known that DR. Fortier
was the other member OF the committee
who opposed giving the contract To Mr.
Charter and al the meeting OF the school
committee the other night when the sub
was called upon to give a rea-
son for rejecting the lower figure Or.
Fortier was chiefly conspicuous because
OF the remarkable stiffness which per-
vaded the vicinity OF his desk
He heard the various questions asked.
bur for some reason he had not a word
TO say. II was not because he is usually
silent. for this is not the case The doc
xxyk h.. hf,e i. u1x-
10 make his wants known. but evidently
In this case what he wanted he had got
and there was no further reason for his
talking. He was not disposed 10 give any
explanations, probably believing that ex-
plantations are oftentimes painful things.
Under the circumstances the board
should not have endorsed that award.
To establish this precedent is bad
thing. II is quite true that. as Mrs. Tobie
says. the committee has the right 10 re-
Ject any and all bids, but this right also
carries with II a responsibility 10 have a
reason for such rejection which will
stand the test Of public opinion. II does
not mean that these bids may be rejected
at the sweet will OF the members of the
committee. otherwise there would prob
ably be no further competitive bidding on
the part OF contractors.
II Il was shown that Mr.. Charter was
not quallned 10 DO the Work or that he
was unable 20 furnish a satisfactory bond
for the proper performance OF his con-
tract then that might be a good reason
for the rejection ~ his bid But so far
as has been made known this Is not the
case Mr.. Charter II an old contractor
lie has been In business for a good many
years and he has had lot Of experience
in erecting buildings II would probably
be very easy for him 20 furnish a salts
factory bond and therefore some other
reason must be assigned for this action.
A POINTED QUESTION
Or. Gormley may have touched pretty
near the truth when he asked Mrs. Tobie
II the fact that the senior member of the
hrm Of Humes. Cruise a. Smiley Is a
brother OF the architect. Albert II.
Iumes. had anything 10 do with the vote
" the sub committee Mrs Tobie's only
Inswer 10 the question was why should
ty' which. like a number Of other an
wers made by that lady. was no answer
& all
Another reason for this very peculiar
nd shady transaction" as DR.. Gormley
ronounced Il during the discussion. may
ave been OF a political nature. Mr.
n ~