The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-11

60 appreciate the beauties OF a police
commission and in addition to that have
persisted In It's course OF electing Demo-
cratic mayors year after year is the rea-
son, according TO the Independent or
gan OF the Republican party. why Paw
tucket stands fourth in the list of Isl
municipalities in its per capita debt or
al the silly explanations that was ever
made for extravagant city management
this is the worst.
II is difficult to understand how anyone
with ordinary intelligence could have
written such a foolish mass OF rubbish
il Is really too laughable 10 be taken
seriously, and yet after all II Is quite In
line with the other political gush which
from time to time Issues from the same
source. Still this is perhaps little the
worst that has up TO the present time
seen the light Of day. Whoever wrote
81 must have felt somewhat ashamed OF
his own reasoning powers when he saw
&; In cold print. Even the men who COM
pose the s.achine at the city hall could
not refrain from laughing and they were
not afraid 10 show that they had feel
tng OF disgust for the writer.
Those who understand the facts and this
includes about every one In Pawtucket.
and in the state knows the unenviable
notoriety which the city has received Is
due to political mismanagement. From
the day some q years ago when the city
government first began TO run things
here the city has been In the hands OF
the Republican machine and from that
date TO the present time the debt has
constantly increased. There have been
Democratic mayors and In some cities
where the vetoes OF the chief executive
are given at least a little consideration
this would mean something IL would
mean perhaps that the mayor would be
held Jointly responsible with the city
council for the condition which now con-
fronts the people. But here In Pawtucket
a veto OF the mayor is never given the
slightest consideration. especially IL he |
IS a Democrat In fact the machine has |
even treated the Republican mayors with |
the same scant courtesy. II will not be |
forgotten how Mayor Tiepke tried once
in n while 10 stem the tide against debt |
accumulating. but he was always turned |
down by the council which felt that IL
was OF no consequence what the debt was
provided they got the benefit of the money |
expended. Since the people have got into
the habit OF electing Democratic mayors
veto messages have been read because
the law required that they shall be- but
that Is all that amounted TO.
. Another feature OF this debt lies I'm |
show for H. There are no great public |
buildings except the school buildings and |
they are OF the most ordinary kind. The |
street improvements have only just been |
begun and there are scores OF miles yet |
90 be taken care OF In fact II would |
seem that this money which has gone |
20 increase the great debt OF the city |
had left nothing for the future genera
tions except the pleasure OF paying the
bills.
All this is the result OF Republican mis-
management and by no possible EXPLAIN
tion can II be laid at the door OF the
Democrats. Apparently there is no relief
In sight so long as the people continue
20 elect Republican city councils. because
such city councils will be manipulated
by the machine they have been in the
past. They will continue TO spend large
sums for projects whose only purpose
Is TO give the faithful good Jobs The
DeWocratic mayors may interpose the We
toes. but they will be overridden as they
have been In the past and the response
bility will rest where II always has rest
ed. on the Republican political ring. which
for years has controlled the city hall and
has fattened at the public crib.
HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION ACCOUNT.
At the meeting OF the board OF alder
men last Tuesday evening an ordinance
was passed which provided for high
l. ~
many people In the city have been won
dering what II meant. According the
statement OF those who were responsible
for the passing OF the ordinance. II pro-
vides for the placing OF the several sums
OF money which are appropriated for the
construction OF highways I'm one lump
sum. from which can be drawn the
amount necessary for the construction OF
the several streets which are ordered by
the city councils In IL 5000 is appropri-
ated for the construction OF three separ-
N nd In tl.s.t ..fI
these will actually cost but $500. while
one of the others requires an expendi-
ture OF $500: the amount can be taken
without asking the city council TO make |
transfer OF the $500 unexpended balance.
IL also means that against this account
can be charged the material which is
the tools which may from time TO time
be purchased.
Under the present arrangement OF !
things the cost Of crushed stone. which |
tion OF new streets. but also for repairs |
OF old streets. Is charged 10 the mainte- |
nance account. and this brings that ac-
count up beyond the amount which Is ac-
tualiy used for the purpose OF mainte-
nance. Tools are also charged 10 the !
maintenance account, although Of course |
streets.
To some extent II Is simply matter Of |
bookkeeping. but by means OF this now l
account. IL Is believed that a better idea |
can be obtained OF what Is the real cost /
OF maintaining the public highways The /
sewer department has "a construction ac- |
count, and IL is believed that the same /
system should be applied to the high |
ways.
DEMOCRATS ARE AT WORK.
The leaders OF the Democratic party I'm
this city and especially Chairman Butler |
OF The Democratic city committee. are
putting In a lot OF work at the present |
time on the work OF naturalization /
Among the men who were registered |
THIS year. there are many who before
they can vote will be obliged TO take out
tnen naturalization papers. This means
that there is still much to be done be-
fore the fruits OF the efforts which were
maoe Tor registration can be enioyed !
Some OF these men are as careless OF at
ien1ing 20 this duty az they have been
IN the matter OF registration. and Chair
man Butler has secured a pretty accur-
ave list OF the persons who not only must
nrst secure their papers. but also Of those
VINO, having taken them out have thus
Tar tailed 10 present them NJ the office |
Of the city clerk for examination
Chairman Butler I'm speaking OF this | ,
matter this week. stated that any Demo