The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-30

A good many years have passed since
% much interest was displayed In th'
matter OF registration IN this city as is be
Ing shown this year. In past years ther,
was only a perfunctory interest shown
by the voters and occasionally the lead
ers OF the two big parties would try 10
awaken the voters TO their duty In this
matter, but this year the interest has not
been confined TO the leaders.
For several weeks past the Democrats
have been working night and day TO set
out the voters and during the past week
there have been rallies in all parts OF the
city. 90 that the stranger who came with
In the city would think the people were
In the midst of a hot campaign. There
have been meetings In different halls and
there have been cart-tail rallies. and the
attendance at almost every one has been
such as to show that the people are TAX
ing an interest in the questions which
they must solve at the ballot box In the
fall.
LEADERS ALARMED.
Then. too. the Republicans have been
trying to stir up things little. Two
weeks ago the Republican leaders reached
the conclusion that matters from their
standpoint were not progressing with the
smoothness OF previous years. There were
conferences which resulted In the send
Ing out of circulars. Quict talks with one
or two OF the men who are supposed to
know what Is going on brought the in
formation that the Republican voters
were refusing TO come out
Then one day there was sudden
change In the talk. With a unanimity
that was certainly startling. because II
was such a change from what had pre-
xry1 talx A~ta tai fhA o1a I'm xkrnG ms
the party leaders everywhere that hey
were more than satisfied with the out
look II was at once seen that there had
been another conference and instructions
had gone out from headquarters that no
one should again admit the possibility
of defeat.
But strange to say right on the heels
OF this claim that the Republicans were
coming in with such wonderful haste
came the opening of a room 10 be used
as a party headquarters from which the
work OF directing the registration cam
paign could go on.
SOMEWHAT PECULIAR.
There was. however, a peculiar thing
about this headquarters. When the Demo-
Gratis opened their headquarters there was
no secrecy about IT, Chairman Butler was
glad to have the announcement OF his in
tention made I'm the columns OF the news
papers. But the day following the open
ing Of the room IN Masonic Temple by
the Republicans, Chairman Burgess of
the Republican city committee, who is
also the assistant city clerk, told the rep
resentative OF the News Democrat that he
knew nothing about the opening OF such
rooms. He denied that he had anything
TO do with the opening OF headquarters
and he also denied that there were any.
Two other officials of the city who are
active in the affairs OF the party, stated
that they. too. were ignorant OF any such
room. although one OF them admitted that
the room might be open and the other
said that ''he hadn't been UP there" i'm.
plying that there must have been
there" to so TO.
Apparently, however, Richard Brown
sng. the clerk of the board OF assessors
had failed somehow 10 get his instruc-
tions. for when he was asked II there was
a headquarters he declared most emphati-
cally that II had been opened, and that
1t was the purpose OF the party 10 rush
the matter of registration to the limit.
Now. all this matter Is really OF but
little consequence, but IL shows that the
Republican leaders having got too much
into the habit of working in the dark
and acting without the knowledge OF the
people II Is almost an impossibility for
TO do 90 would naturally be TO their ad-
vantage.
DEMOCRATS AHEAD.
Ono thing can be set down as an abso-
lutte fact and that Is that in the matter
OF registration In this city he Democrats
are far ahead OF the Republicans, Then,
500. there are names on the voting list
this year of men who have heretofore
been with the Republicans, but who will
this year vote for the Democratic candi-
dates for the general assembly In the fail
But that isn't all; there is great change
In the feeling on the part OF many men
whose names are on the roperty list or
voters regarding the city council ticket
The Indications are that there will be
some candidates before the people for
both branches OF the council this year
who are not bound hand and foot TO the
EepIbiScsn lice machine .S but who win o,ops com
OF course. II Is perfectly natural that
the machine should declare IL cannot be
defeated. It's experience In past years
has been so successful that IL has right
10 feel secure. but the time is coming
when II will wake up to find itself over
thrown. There Is a wave of public indig-
nation passing over this state, and al
ready the ripples are being felt in this
city. There Is an opposition To bossism
that will be felt not only by the state
bosses but also by the bosses In this city.
These men have had their way long
time and they have become impudent In
their power. but the old proverb. Whom
the gods would destroy they first make
mad" is likely TO be better understood
here after the election Is over In Novem-
ber.
DISTINCT LOSS.
The announcement which was made the
past week that Raymond r.. Smith. who
for the past four years has been the SUI
perintendent OF the Pawtucket street rail-
way system. as well as having had con-
troll OF all the suburban lines north OF this
city. and the lines running TO the east
side shore resorts. was 10 sever his con-
nection with the Rhode Island company.
caused feeling OF distinct loss 10 the
community
Mr.. Smith is a young man who came 10
this city an entire stranger. but he Will
60 away with the best wishes OF hun
drsds OF people who, while they will be
glad that he is TO take a more important
position I'm the railroad world. Will feel
that the city In very much the loser. He
n a man who has ever been ready TO
listen 10 suggestions from those who de-
sired improvements In the service. and
after investigating them he has given
his greatest endeavor 20 adopt such OF
them as he believed were worthy
Among the men who are employed on
the electric cars there In even a greater
feeling OF regret. He has demanded loyal