The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-25

n is very evident that the Pawtucke
Republican machine rs having the great
est kind of difficulty in keeping its hands
on the police department There hai
been so much said during the past tw,
weeks connecting the two that II would
seem that there was really nothing &c
add, but II appears that the places in thu
department are wanted for members OF
the willing workers clubs" OF which
there are many hereabouts.
Because OF the fact that the depart
ment Is restricted in numbers and be-
cause the machine has a holy horror OF
allowing a Democratic mayor 10 make ap-
pointments. even though there happen
20 be vacancies II is a most usual thing
10 have number OF specials assigned 70
active duty. These assignments are
much more frequent In the summer time
because this Is the time Of year when the
men take their vacations.
According to the plan adopted this year
there are four men away at time. In
addition 10 this there IL one member OF
the department who has been granted a
leave OF absence covering a period OF sew
eral weeks. There are also two vacancies
which the Republican board OF alder
men will not permit Democratic mayor
20 I'LL simply because he has decided 10
use his own judgment in making the ap-
pointments and refuses 10 accept the
names Of the persons who are offered TO
him by the machine.
OF course. such petty meanness only re-
ceives the contempt which II deserves
from the general public. but II is quite
in line with the other petty annoyances
which this same board OF aldermen.
guided by the Republican machine. is all
the time heaping on the head OF the
mayor and consequently II OF itself at
tracts no great attention because II Is
only what Is expected. But all these
things have one result. II is necessary
that the several police beats must be COW
cred and as the responsibility for the con-
duct OF the department rests on the
shoulders OF the mayor he Is obliged to
select from the list OF specials men TO do
regular street duty. In making these Sc
iections, strange TO say. he Is not obliged
10 ask permission OF the board of alder
men How II has happened that the Re-
publican machine has permitted this free
dom OF action during all the long years
since the people have got into the habit
of electing a Democratic mayor is one Of
the things that IL is difficult TO under
stand, but II is a fact. and consequently
when a vacancy OF temporary character
st. II is reasonable TO suppose that in
doing this ne consults his own wishes
and probably does not select any Re-
publican ward heeler TO do the work. be-
iieving that he can get better results
from some other source.
SPECIAL OFFICERS suPPLANTED.
This summer Mayor Higgins has put a
number of specials on duty. but OF course
he and his friends realized that when he
left town IL would probably not be a very
long time before Acting Mayor Wood be-
gan TO get rid OF them. One change was
made within a few hours after the mayor
left town. Those who knew Of IL gave
certain reasons for making this change
and IL attracted not great deal of at
tention This week. Acting Mayor Wood
wanted two more Jobs for some of his
friends and consequently Special Officers
Geogan and Conroy. VINO we've placed on
duty by Mayor Higgins. were replaced by
Special Officers Eugene Gavitt and Leon
Nackiette.
II is against the principles of the Re-
publican machine of this city TO allow
a Democrat 10 hold an office which pays
even the smallest kind OF a salary when
II is possible to replace him with a Re-
lican. and II is quite likely that long be-
fore the mayor gets back 10 Pawtucket
pointed to regular duty will be replaced
by men selected by Acting Mayor Wood.
although II Is admitted that some OF these
selections of Mayor Higgins are men who
are better qualified 10 hold regular places
on the force than some of those who have
been there for years. This Is the political
game as II is played here.
ATTORNEY DOUBTS STORY.
When the case brought by Mrs Mich
ael Hand, asking for the appointment OF
a guardian OF her husband, was called
in the probate court yesterday morning
her attorney asked for n continuance on
the ground that one of his most important
witnesses. Mary Tolan. had been called
TO Scranton. Pa, because OF the death OF
her brother. In replying TO this request
for continuance Atty. Fitzgerald de-
clared his disbelief I'm the story He ad-
mitted that the woman had gone 10 Scran-
ton because. he said, that ne had received
a letter from a friend In that place say
ing that she was there. but ne said that
he thought the telegram story was all
a bluff
Later In the day after the continuance
had been granted. Mr.. Fitzgerald wired
his correspondent at Scranton in relation
10 the matter and before noon he had re-
ceived this answer: Nobody sick or dead
belonging to Mary Tolan in Scranton. Z"
The telegram was signed by p. J. Melvin
Whether or not Mr. Fitzgerald will take
Official notice Of this matter az the hear
Ing which has been set down for next
Saturday morning is not known.
STAR ROUTE CONTRACT.
There Is a mail carrying contract soon
10 he let I'm this city. II Is rather curious
10 the outside world perhaps that while
Just north OF this city there Is another
municipality with full city government
through which trains for all points north
ana south pass many times each day.
still. according 20 the system OF the poe
tai department all mails directed TO per
sons In Central Falls FIRST come 10 Paw
tucket being thrown of the trains at this
station and all outgoing mails are brought
here for shipment ~ seems rather queer
but the system has been In operation for
quite number OF years and about once
I'm 20 often a change is made in the man
who holds the contract because Il is said
the amount which the government pay.
for the job is not enough 90 make II a
very paying proposition
Another interesting feature In connec-
ton with the contract Hes I'm the fact
that W hiie the office at Central Falls
is In the same class as the one I'm this
city and while also the mails which are
A.Ia -