The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-03

or the very greatest importance to
the cotton industry OF the state Is Inc
action taken by the committee from
the Rhode Island Mulespinners asso-
ciation at its meeting in Pawtucket
last Saturday afternoon This commit
tee had been chosen at a meeting OF
the entire body held earlier i'm the
week. and IL had been given positive
Instructions as 10 it's course, so the
action was. OF course. not unexpected.
Still this does not in the least affect
It's Importance.
The meeting was held in Labor tenn
pie and before tho adjournment there
had been drawn mp letter which
viii at once be communicated 10 every
manufacturing concern IN the state
employing mulespinners. II makes
specific demand for an increase In the
wages of the mulespinners. amounting
20 ten per cent. and IL further requests
that an answer be given TO this request
not later than Dee, II.
The committee declined 20 make the
actual wording OF the letter public be-
cause they believed that II was simply
an act OF courtesy TO permit II TO reach
the manufacture before IL was givcn
ont. but they had no objection TO
stating what was asked for.
Up TO the present time there has
among this class of workmen. and
Vet IL can be stated that this positive
action was not taken without fun;
considering the possibility Of re-
fusal 70 grant the demand and the con
sequent action on the part OF the mem
iers OF the u-;ion II this should be
done. There are said 10 be something
like 500 or 500 mulespinners I'm the
state, and of course II is only these
who are directly interested in this
matter now. but IL is pretty certain
that any increase in wages 10 one
class OF cotton workers must neces-
sarily be followed at once by a similar
increase 10 practically all other classes
and this means that the action or the
mulespinners is OF the very greatest
interest To upwards OF 10000 employees
in the state.
IL IA well understood that the manu-
facturers OF Rhode Island are in
huenced very largely by the New Bed
ford manufacturers. Up TO the present
time there has been no Increase In
wages in that city and the Rhode ISL
and manufacturers are said TO feel that
they cannot take such a step without
the New Bedford people are willing
TO do the same. IT has even been said
that the New Bedford manufacturers
would he expected To lead the way.
Apparently, the mulespinners them
New Bedford and the demand which
has now been forwarded must he
taken as something In the nature Of an
ultimatum. without doubt there will
he conferences between the manufac-
turers and the committee, which is
composed OF men who are well qualified
TO treat on this subject. The outcome
will be awaited with very great inter
est. not only by those who are directly
Interested, but also by practically
every citizen I'm the state.
HE rs A DEMOCRAT
Because Edward Il. Butler is Demo
crat and because the Republican ma
chine has thus far been unable TO buy
him. therefore he must not be re-elect-
ed truant officer by the NON n-political'
school committee. That. and absolutely
nothing else. must be taken as the
meaning of the pronunciamento which
was printed in the Sunday edition or
the Colt-Perry organ. II doesn't mat
ter in the least that he has during the
past year proved himself the most
painstaking and thoroughly efficient
truant officer that the city has ever
had. In the minds OF the Republican
machine OF this city efficiency does not
count I'm the least. The only thing
that counts with them is the chance
10 give a job To some political favorlte.
II Is absolutely true that year ago
the school committee, then composed OF
six Democrats and three Republicans. de-
Cided that the man who had held the po-
sition of trtiant officer for quite a num-
her OF years had better make way for
someone else This man was "a Republ-
can, and the man who was elected was a
Democrat. but II must not be forgotten
that the man who was deposed had held
the office for quite a number OF years,
and that during that time there had been
years when every member OF the board
was Democrat. Still the fact that
"a A
not considered sufficient reason for the
Democrats 10 turn him down.
The time came, however when in the
minds of a good many people OF all po-
litical opinions that II would he for the
best interests OF all concerned " there
was a change. Tho school committee
recognized this feeling and understood it's
reason, and so the change was made.
Edward 4. Butler was elected. and he
has now held the office for about II
months. during which time he has done
more for the schools OF the city than
his predecessor had acc bmplished i'm any
two years. He has attended closely 10
the duties OF his office, and has not used
~ 20 further his own interests or the In
terests OF the Democratic party. lie has
worked with the sole purpose OF entorc-
ing the laws and see that the children
of this city get the education which the
state has declared they were entitled 20.
Ie has not been content with sitting I'm
his office and listening 20 the complaints
OF people who had or thought they had
a grievance. lnsiehd OF Alht ne mas spent
many hours In investigating these COM
plants. and then when he knew all OF
the circumstances. he was prepared 20 see
that Justice was done
But Edward r. Butler f. Democrat
and the school committee Is composed
OF six Republicans and three Democrats
j. has been declared many times that
there was no politics in the school board
hut IL there Is legislative body IN tho
state OF Rhode Island that has shown its
psrtisanship more than has the Paw
tucket school board under the direction
OF John W. Little. certainly no one has
ever heard OF a.
IL Is said now that Henry r. Sager
wants his old Job back again. and that
the school committee al tho next meet
ing. which IL TO be held one week from
Tuesday evening. will probably give n TO
him Such action would show the small
ness of the members. and would indicate
beyond dispute that no matter how valua.
ble man may prove unless he acknowl-
edges the Republican machine of Paw