The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-28


IN which Acting Mayor Wood is cast for
the part OF comedian. is being long drawn
out. The action OF the Republican ma
chine which at first seemed TO have Sc
rious features is becoming tiresome, at
least 10 every one except those members
who are playing the several parts Some
OF the members have apparently screwed
their courage up 10 the sticking point on
at least two occasions, only TO have the
screws loosen when the time for action
arrived. There Is a bad case OF scare on
and there Is crying need OF a strong hand
20 take matters in charge while a little
common sense is injected into the minds
of the men who are trying in the most
unsatisfactory manner 10 run the affairs
OF the city.
The latest move is for meeting OF the
two branches OF the city council 10 be
held Wednesday evening. The board of
aldermen at the conclusion OF the busi-
ness last Wednesday evening voted TO
adjourn one week and then a few min
ntes later Acting Mayor Wood signed
call for a special meeting of the com
mon council. The call states nothing ex-
cept that the members are asked 10 meet
and Mr.. Wood is 50 afraid OF the public
that he. too. Is saying nothing about what
the meeting is for.
NOT FOR POLICE MATTERS, HE
SAYS.
He is. however. very anxious that the
wicked Democrats. and by that term he
designates everyone who is not In SYM
pathy with the actions OF the machine.
shall not for a minute suppose that this
meeting will consider the matter or po-
lice. Just the same, IL is the police de-
partment which II is proposed TO consider.
II looks now as though the machine lead
a. haA hxnf nh 10 srixr xxfax 70 ha
demands which have been made by the
willing workers and perform the surgical
operation OF which so much has recently
been said. The leaders are now convinced
that Mayor Higgins Is out OF town. The
fear that he might show up at any minute
was ghost which troubled them at the
previous meeting, but that has now been
laid and the decks are clear for any ac-
tion which they are a-mind TO take.
Perhaps the machine with a stupendous
belief in the forgetfuness OF the voting
public will do the dirty work which some
OF the heelers are demanding. The fact
that both branches OF the city coluncil
have been called together would indicate
that something besides the appointment
OF a few patrolmen is proposed. II would
look as though IL was intended TO pass
some kind OF an ordinance. This must
be done before there can be any increase
in the number OF patrolmen and II re-
quires the action OF both branches before
an ordinance can become a city law. Then
the acting mayor can sign II and nothing
wfll prevent the making OF the appoint
ments.
MUST BE REckoNED WITH.
II Is all such an easy thing when the
machine has the majority 10 work with.
But there 10 an aftermath which must
be reckoned with. There is an elections
ma ha ~ xxfhi, "a
. mayor is to be chosen and II has been
said that the machine is TO make the
hardest kind OF effort TO win the next
executive officer. II certainly looks now
as though they had given up all hope of
making successful fight on this occa-
sion and that II had been decided TO take
what IT was possible to get now. rather
than TO run any chances OF a defeat later
This fs not fight between the Repub-
fcans and Democrats II Is a controver-
~ between the Republican machine on
one side and the decent. respectable peo-
pie OF the city on the other. II this
shak-up OF the police department IL ac-
complished at this time. fair warning is
given that not for a single minute will
the people be permitted to forget what
has been done. Pawtucket voters by a
good big majority selected for the chief
executive OF the city man who had held
that onice for three years and had so
conducted II as to win the admiration
OF hundreds OF voters who on the other
political questions did not agree with him.
Now all they demand Is that he be per-
nitted 10 carry out its duties. and II by
legal technicality they are usurped by
q man who happens by accident to oc-
eupy the position for a brief period. that
man and that machine will go down TO
annihilation before an avalanche OF votes
on next election day.
NOT THE MAN FOR MAYOR.
William Wood may be the acting mayor
because Mayor Higgins has been obliged
by his III health TO leave his post OF duty
for brief period but william Wood
need never expect 10 occupy that position
through any other means He is not the
kind OF a man whom the people desire
shall Ill go important an office He owes
his present place In the board OF alder
men not TO his popularity. but TO the good
graces Of the Republican machine. who
through the padding OF the PERSONAL
property lists has created hcticious
strength among property owners
These machine-made voters will do
what they are told because they have no
interest other than those OF their employ
ers. A good many OF them have no
knowledge OF how their names come TO
be on the property list and they would
DC denghted III they could find the proper
~ for which they are taxed. They would
even be satisfied II they could receive Just
the amount which the machine is called
upon 10 pay for their taxef. WIN they
do receive for their votes is n job now
and then. and for that they are not sup
posed TO exercise any judgment OF their
own. but simply vote for the men they
are told Will look out for them. This Is
the manner In which Mr. wood gets his
place on the board Of alder<sn and then
because he is known 10 be pliable 10 the
wishes OF the machine he Is made presi-
dent OF that body
FROM The PEOPLE.
On the othef hand. Mayor Higgins gets
his honors and responsibilities from quite
different source and one which II not 20
be dictated 10 by any Republican ma
chine. But the mayor is out OF the city
and there is a demand for jobs on the
police force. consequently Acting Mayor
Wood will probably be fully as pliable as
- was expected he would be.
II there IL a real honest citizen OF Paw.
sScket who can look with satisfaction on