The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-13
THE ObSERvANT
CITIZEN C00LLY
HAS HIS FLING

Have you ever noticed that a real
busy man never troubles his memory
much2" queritd an observant citizen of
a News Democrat reporter this after
noon.
The reporter had read that the prince
OF essayists, Montaigne. had declared
that one OF the blessings he priced wac
a poor memory. OF course, Montaigne
would not be much OF an authority on
twentieth century Yankee bustling: but
he managed an estate well, ana iound
time TO hold small number OF poliucsi
Jobs when graft was unknown. and In,
cidentally TO write some essays that Will
probably be in the market as long as
President Roosevelt's works, even thous
at the start the French gentleman hao
not the before and after advertising OF
the strenuous chief magistrate.
Thinking that the obseryant citizen
might have something on Montaigne IN
former 10 be more definite.
We'll" continued the observing eitl-
zen. there is Postmaster General COR,
telyou. He doesn't seem 10 have a sood
memory. IL IL over year ago since ne
took pen In hand to write letter OF
resignation as chairman OF the Republi,
can national committee. He was called
away probably TO hold copy, while the
president read the proofs OF that great
message TO congress. last summer, whlcn
by the way was not due until the De
got the pen In hanl again for the same
"of course, the department has had a
lot OF extra business. due TO the appeals
OF the railroads 10 friends in and out OF
congress and the frantic appeals OF the
cornmeal packers; but IL Mr. Cortelyou
had remembered. he would long ago have
ceased TO be an active partisan.
Then. there Is our Police Commission
er Gross. He has a big private business
that Is attended TO in the best possible
- - n m m
his memory. or he would have resigned
the chairmanship Of the Republican state
central committee"
What has memory to do with his be-
ing chairman" asked the reporter. II
thought IL was a taking quality In a
politician to think only Of the inch before
the saw" said the reporter, who wanted
TO seem wise. 10 which the observant citi-
zen replied. rather tartly:
81 was talking OF busy men. not OF poll
ticians. do not consider George b. Cor
telyou and Commissioners Gross poltu-
clans. They hold positions OF trust and
are paid by men OF all parties. No one
can deny that they are busy men. Neither
OF them would knowingly use his office
for political or personal profit
Perhaps Col. Gross never promised to
give up the police commissionership be-
cause he was chairman OF the state CEN
tral committee; but friends OF his said
he would not continue TO hold both offices.
Such a promise would not have injured
him
I'VE have had during the past few
years lots OF police interference in poll
tics. II will be hard for the police officers
who are approached In the same manner
this year as last TO differentiate between
the genial police commissioner and the
genial ohairmon OF the Republican state
ctneral committee. The fight will be
warm: and a few extra tricks may be
found necessary 10 be turned at the DEM
acratic caucuses.
Gov. Folk did not trust 10 his excise
commissioners remembering after he got
in office 20 resign his leadership OF a
Democratic club. He appointed another
man.
"Well, the Black Ghost won't be at the
caucuses." chimed I'm the reporter. NO
retorted the observant citizen. will In
spector Shear but you have probably
mated the straws that show that the ma
chine has some sort OF a stew on the
kitchen stove for Col. Gross"