The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-12
bRESL|N SAYS
CRANST0N' s BAD,
BLISS DENIES II

Conditions I'm the town of Cranston.
the political strength OF which in the
next general assembly was increased
one-third by the last Brayton legis-
lature, are said to be i'm a bad way
one taxpayer who objected 20 what
he considered an intolerable situation.
has had his trouble for his pains and
also lost position he had held for
IL years as foreman in a department
OF the Cranston Print works.
James Breslln OF $50 Dyer avenue is
generally regarded. according TO In
formation by the Rhode Island Ten.
perance league, as a sober. industrious
thrifty citizen.
He had acquired two lots and erected
a home on one OF them.
Within a few years the neighbornood
is said 10 have become undesirable
chiefly because OF Sunday liquor selling
and reVellng: and Mr.. Breslin has re-
Ieatedly appealed TO the town council,
whose president Col Zenas w. Bliss,
is quite a spoke in the Brayton Repub-
lican machine.
Mr. Breslin and the anti-saloon peo-
pie derived little satisfaction from this
source: and II is claimed that Breslin
was warned that II he kept up his
pernicious activities he would lose his
job as foreman at the print works.
He persisted, however, and within
a few days received beautifully word
ed letter of recommendation and
notice that his services at the plant
were no longer required.
Mr.. Bresin's complains had been di-
rected chiefly against certain tenements
I'm his neighborhood occupied by Italians;
and he had also alleged that saloons on
the Cranston side Of Thornton were not
observing the side door rule and the
screen law.
nd n
inves tigate and reported to the council,
1t is asserted. that he had enough evil
dence TO justify a prosecution.
Thereupon. II is claimed, Col Bliss
spoke up and said. GIVE them another
chance"
This was done and soon afterward FIVE
men were stabbed. one of them almost
fatally.
Discussing this case. Rev. A. b. Cristy,
superintendent Of the Rhode Island rem
perance league. said TO day:
''Breslin has the highest reeommenda- .
tions from men OF standing; and would
hate to believe that II has come 10 such
a pass i'm the town of Cranston, or else
where that a man may not protect his
property without running the risk OF los
ing his position
When President Bliss was asked con-
cerning Breslins case today he said:
the p,int works / do not believe the
maro cement there figures in politics"
Chief Bigbee. against whom Mr.. Bres-
lin seems TO have a Crouch Is employed
by one of the high officials there 10 col
iect rents or something Of the kind; ana
the matter may have been brought TO the
attention of the mill authorities in that
way. though have no information on the
subject.
80 far as the charge of lawlessness Is
concerned. however, Bresln was given
ample opportunity to substanuate any
charges he made; and the council gave
him a long and patient hearing.
He preferred To try his case In the
newspapers without presenting any spe-
cific charge upon which we could act. we
ordered the chief TO investigate; and he
reported that he could find no evidence.
"Mr. Breslin said he had seen liquor
Dealers wagons on the streets sundays,
but would not affirm that they contained
intoxicants We went so far as 10 warn
the liquor dealers that If their wagons
were seen on the streets near liquor sa-
looms II would go hard with them
eve can't act on such information as
comes TO US in the way this man Breslln
brought IT, He had no evidence and was
not willing 10 get any, saying II was the
duty OF the police. Here's how citizens
will back up the authorities in cases or
illegal liquor selling.
I'VE were determined 10 stop a certain
man who we were morally certain was
violating the law. one man told us he
had brought so much liquor in the place
that he was intoxicated and several 9TH
ers said they had seen men go In sober
and come out drunk.
when we put these men on the stand
10 tell their stories under oath they went
right back on their stories to us and the
case had to be dismissed
Il don't understand that Breslin's so
much better than some people, he is so
bitter against l am certain that the town
council does not intend TO permit any IL
legal business In the town; and Mr.. Bres-
lin was present when we gave the chief of
police orders TO investigate the tenements
I'm question and to prosecute every case
he could find.
1T is absolutely untrue that ] ever ad-
vocated letting up on anybody. / don't