The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-16
DUNN THOUGHT
AN EASY MARK
Up IN WARD 8

II see that the journalistic manipulation
thinks it viii be hard to defeat Alderman
Dunn in Ward g." said a well known citi-
zen OF that ward 10 News Democrat
reporter today.
"Well IL should not be: and unless Dunn
comes out as a strong and solid Democrat
and forsakes the Republican ring al the
city hall and the Republican state ma
chine. he Will be one OF the worst licked
men who ever entered a political contest.
He cannot win this time even with the
support OF Col Colts local newspaper.
The power behind the throne IL not as
strong now as when Mr.. Dunn a couple
OF summers ago, Is said 10 have promised
90 do anything certain bludgeon wielder
wanted II he. Dunn. could only be elected
alderman.
After this promise, the columns OF
certain newspapers were at the present
slderman's disposal; and every decent
man who opposed Dunn was subjected TO
misrepresentation and made the object
or deliberate falsehood.
Until about the time Alderman Dunn
made the announcement that he was
candidate for alderman. he had been sub
ject 10 severe discipline. AS a member
of the council he had been outspoken I'm
favor OF repeating the police commission
act The then manipuIator Of the ring
ordered that Dunn be given no city work
Just about the time that Dunn IL said
10 have made the promise. he began get
ting Jobs OF city plumbing; and inside OF
il months he had done $4,000 worth OF
work for the city at his own price.
"Soon after he began getting this work |!
again he was met by a former colleague |
1n the council. who said. How is 10, John, |
YOU are so strong with those fellows now /
whom you were denouncing a few weeks
ago?
Alderman Dunn outdid in sorrow max
ing Nisbe In the dark days when he was
only drawing his salary from the city
treasury.
His reply TO his former colleague was.
We'll / didn't sell myself IL was a
strange statement: bur the former col
league asked a Republican friend OF his.
who was pretty close 10 the controlling
powers. for the reason Of Dunn's sudden
growth In favor; and the reply was. Well
we will use him long as we need
him
Alderman Dunn. by means OF police
manipulation and the disfranchisement OF
voters by his warden and clerks. obtained
full control OF the caucus machinery and
OF the ward committee. He did not get
all the delegates 10 the convention; but
no services OF any value 10 the Demo-
cratic party at large have been rendered
by his ward committee during the two
years they have had control
This year, during the last week OF
registration the chairman OF the ward
committee said he had done nothing for
and didn't see why folks were
about politics SO early, and then
switched of into a discussion OF the
merits OF a couple OF dogs he was leading ,
along
chairman ONeill. nominated by the
special pet OF the local traction boss for
chairman OF the Democratic city commit
tee did not call meeting of the city
TO make any arrangements for
the registr OF voters.
Some OF the most earnest men I'm the
ward think that the fight should be made
In Ward this year 10 get ward com
mittee that will be OF real service in the
battle for constitutional reform.
This battle cannot be won I'm n single
year; and the Democrats all over the state
look to this strong Democratic section to !,
redeem itself
MANY citizens, though are asking who .
will be the opposition candidate 10 Dunn. .
John I. Devlin made strong fight last
year against big odds; but II is under
stood that he prefers a seat in the coun- {
ell to any other public office. l
Former Alderman Dennis r, Mccarthy ,
reems TO be the one 10 whom many OF
the old line Democrats are turning When I
he was In the board. the Democrats were |
always sure OF an able spokesman; and s
ne Is man or strong character and he
has time and time again shown his re- ]
sources as a vote getter a
''Mr. Mccarthy Is not saying whether a
he will be a candidate or not: but there /
are many just now who declare that Il is Il
a duty he owes not only TO the ward. I
but TO the city and state 10 get into the a
night and smash the present ward ring.
1T will be n big battle. anyway: and 7
unless all signs fail. there win be elected 4
ward committee that will do It's share I
IN the future fights for the doctrine of !
representative government In city and ;
state" :