The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-04

With the Democratic state and con-
gresslonal conventions out OF the way
and the proceedings OF the coming Re
publican convention cut and dried so
that all OF the candidates have been
known for the past year or longer, at
tenton has been turned again to the
Providence mayoralty situation, which is
more complex In some respects than Tor
many years.
on one side is an aggressive Democracy
with so many good men, all ri whom can
win, that there is the greatest friendly
rivalry as TO who shall be named as the
party's standard bearer.
on the other side is the Brayton state
and local machine, with defeat SO cer-
tainly staring IL in the face because OF
the manifest alienation OF the lndepend-
ent vote-the determining factor in city
elections-that no desirable candidate is
inclined 10 take the nomination, which
man after man has already turned down.
About every Republican who could pos
sibly have any show at all OF election on
the Republican ticket has taken 10 the
woods. fleeing as from the breath Of
pestlence. and leaving in sight for possi-
bic galvanic action only few barnacles,
placeholders or unknown men who could
uation.
For the Democratic nomination the
names Of the following eminent Demo-
Gratis have been and are yet suggested; ;
Former Senator James II. Thurston. Hon.
Clarence A. Aldrich, Hon. Patrick J. Nc
Carthy, Overseer or the Poor Matthew j.
Cummings, John Doran. Sam II. Bullock
John r. Freeman and others.
Mr. Thurston. who has been in public
life only a few years. but has showed
considerable strength with the voters and
qualities which appeal strongly TO those
who love fighter I'm strenuous times as
we'll as a wise counsellor, has not yet
stated that he was candidate.
1t is known, however, that he has many
friends among the delegates elected to
the city convention; and IL is believed
that he would accept the nomination II
Il came 90 him from a united Democracy.
Even some OF the First warders on the
opposing ticket which he has fought so
hard at the caucuses are said 10 be will
ing 10 support him. He is young man;
and young men are conducting the Dem
ocrate campaign this year.
Mr. Aldrich has had two bites at the
cherry and missed IL each time,
the last time by such a large plurality
that some practical Democrats say they
believe the party might be taking unnec-
essary chances If II should nominate him
again.
Hon Patrick J. Mccarthy is strong with
many hard-working elements in the DEM
ocratic ranks: and some OF the delegates
to the mayoralty convention are undoubt-
edly for him. They say they feel that he
should have a chance to occupy the po-
sition OF mayor. knowing the cty's busi
ness so we'll as he does and having such
pronounced and popular views on vital
questions.
They say they take little stock in the
stereotyped statement that Mccarthy
can't win," and declare that the only way
to demonstrate that he cannot win is to
nominate him. Otherwise, they say, those
who have voiced the cry for years may
be open to the charge OF isincerity, since
some Of them, at least, now seem willing
TO try another carudate who has twice
shown that ne canont win.
AS for Mr. Cummings, only the belief
that he has 'cinch" on his present Of
fee and the desire not TO sacrifice IL to
the Republican ring is being seriously
argued against nominating him. There
are some also who seem to believe that, in
view-ef all the other =ex>eiient available
timber, n declaration in favor OF Cum
mings might be taken TO mean that he
Democrats do not believe any other
Providence Democrat could wi nand op-
posed him on that ground knowing full
year can ALLEVIATE the Independent vote
from Democratic candidates for city Of
nces
John Doran would win hands down."
said one OF his friends today: but he
could not be induced TO accept the nomi-
nation. Moreover, he is for Jimmie
Sam II. Bullock. though regarded as a
Democrat OF the old school has been so
ong allied with the Independent move
ment that the younger Democrats have
come TO regard him as more Of an Inde-
pendent than n Democrat: and there
might be some opposition 10 him on that
score, as u is said that Democratic senti-
RENT I'm this city today is apparently ir-
revocably I'm favor OF the nomination OF a
straight Democrat for mayor.
The same reason applies 10 John r.
Freeman. who is generally recognized as
\ good citizen and an able man, but has
not been sufficiently identified with pub
lie affairs to make him n strong candi-
late.
Speaker Arthur w Dennis has been
for the Republican nomination;
but a close personal friend declares that
Mr. Dennis would not take the nomination
under any circumstances this year.
70 Is understood that Col. Harold ].
Gross could have had it without asking.
)ut that he also wisely declined 10 con-
,ider Il. while Councilman George w.
Parks. some OF whose friends have
groomed him for the place seems also 10
prefer the comfortable seat he now holds
m the city council 90 taking shy at the
plum hanging beyond his
reach.
Col. George H. webb whose hands have
been thrust more often into the political
feed trough than any os the others
named I'm his limited career I'm Rhode
E-iaftA politics. -4as--hAen meHt4aAAa-lr-
for the position; but the colonel,
who II as pleasant n man as one would
care 20 meet. pooh-poohs the idea. even
getting n little ICY when the subject Is
suggested.
lie is commissioner OF Industrial sta
tistics. superintendent OF the state census
bureau. In charge Of the federal census
work I'm this state. president OF the
ience secretary OF the board OF trade.
was chief marshal OF the hremen's mus
ter and is a protege OF Senator Nelson w.