The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-26

Col. Harold J. Gross. chairman OF the
Republican state committee. is a candl-
date for reelection to that position when
the state committee meets for organize
tion tomorrow.
The colonel is fighter. and does not
purpose TO lie down and let the machine
men who have antagonized him covertly
for some time walk over him.
II believe ! have done my duty 10 tine
party and 10 the state while acting as
chairman" he said today. 1T was a 20
sition which came TO me unsought. one
for which did not believe had any par
ticular fitness, but 10 which applied my.
self with sincerity and energy.
Whether / have done my duty TO my
self and 10 my party remains Tor those
who have followed my course to decide.
do not believe that | have done anything
as chairman which reflected upon The
party. that detracted from it's good name.
ON the contrary, j think my attitude on
public questions has been above board
and consistent.
"If the Republican state central con-
mittee sees ut to re-elect me as chairman.
I shall be pleased TO serve. do not pur,,
pose 10 retire under fire, whatever my
personal preferences may be.
II has been pointed out that IL Col
Gross retains the chairmanship OF the
state central committee, that fact Will oe
used by his political adversaries In op
posing his reappointment as one OF tic
police commissioners TO succeed himself.
1T would be Inconsistent" said one
this city. a Democrat. who owes his cleo
tion more largely 10 the Democratic vote
than he does 10 any Republican, or even
Independent. support he may have re-
ceived. TO fail TO embrace this the first
opportunity a Democratic mayor has had
to put a member of his own party on the
commission"
Another Democrat, who has occupied a
conspicuous position I'm the councils OF his
party, said: Mayor Mccarthy would not
make any mistake II he nominated Col
Gross II would be not only handsome
thing for him to do, but the eminently
correct and fitting thing. He wants
clean city. with the affairs of It's police
department administered by honest eff-
cient men, like the majority OF the pres
ent commission.
HE knows the policy that has been
followed by the present commission. lie
knows the condition OF the city at pres
ent, and who are responsible for it; and
he knows that II the present clean policy
is to be continued. II will be necessary 10
reappoint Col Gross, who has not only
ably supported Chairman Luther but has
Initiated policies which have been OF ma.
terial benefit TO the police force.
Tho colonel has never lodged any ques-
tion that the police commissioners should
meet. but has met even the most difficult
questions fairly and squarely, honestly
and ably.
''The opposition 10 Col Gross reappoint-
ment comes from men who do not desire
the lid to remain on. and who would
use the commission for party purposes,
from which Il has never been so free as
II has been under Chairman Luther and
Col. Gross. particularly in the past years.
'''The action OF Col. Gross while tht
chairman was III on the question OF police
conduct at the Democratic caucuses
marks his Independence and sterling in
g,g hat 10 Gh
keep their hands off and should interfere
only to the extent of preserving order.
not siding as they had done the year be-
fore, with either faction, but doing their
duty as members OF the department with
out regard 10 the politicians. The result
was that more orderly caucuses were
never held i'm this state.
''The fact is that Col. Gross has been
50 straight as chairman OF the Republican
state central committee that he has lean
ed over backward. rather than take ad-
vantage OF his position on the one body
to do something as a member OF the other
body that he would not have done had he
rot been n member OF both.
"He deserves and should have re-elec-
tion II would be the best move the new
mayor could make from a political stand
point as the east side which lis represen-
tative Of Independent. clean sentiment
throughout the city. desires the re-elec-
aion OF Col. Gross. Moreover | believe he
viii be reelected anyway, despite any
action the mayor may take. and despite
the most strenuous eXertions OF the ma
chine"
Some shrewd political observers profess
TO believe that the alleged fight against
Col. Gross within the state committee is
q fgment OF the imagination OF certain
men who arc against Col. Gross because
q. his non-partisan attitude as member
nd hp Hae
TO supplant him as chairman OF the state
committee I'm order to influence the action
Of tho board OF aldermen next year when
the time comes 20 elect a member OF the
police commission.
"The Republican board OF aldermen
could not consistently turn down the
chairman Of the state central committee II
he was a candidate for reelection" said
one prominent Republican this morning;
hut II could, with good grace. turn down
Col Gross " he was no longer OF the party
organization
They might even use that as an argu-
ment and profess TO believe that. the
state organization having rcpudated him.
they would be making a grave political
mistake by honoring him again. when as
a matter OF fact ~ would be no argument
az all"
The Republican state central commit
tee meets at 1880 tomorrow morning In
It's headquarters. Butler Exchange.
Among those who have been mentioned as
possibilities are Col. Robert r. Rodman
OF South county, Hon. Andrew J. Currier
OF Cumberland and William ~. Barclay.
Of public works In Paw
tucket. Mr.. Currier Is definitely out OF
the race. having declared emphatically
that he would nos take the position II Il
were offered him Barclay Is not regard
ed as ~ sufficiently heavy timber: and
the same estimate Is made Of Col. Rod
man.
Moreover IL Is known that Gen. Charles
r. Brayton. who was and is yet much OF n