The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-22
AN INSULT TO THE PEOPLE.

Though he did not attend the caucus held on
Thursday by the Republican senators and repre-
sentatives there is ample evidence that Boss Bray
tons previously-given orders were faithfully
carried out. There is proof OF this supine obedience
TO the will of the boss in the choice of Mr. Bur
chard of Boston and Little Compton for the speak
ership of the house, and in the decision of the
senators to strip the governor of the power to
appoint committees.
This action is in full accord with the narrow
and partisan spirit of the boss, as it has been
revealed during years of mischievous domination
puppets elected by citizens of rotten borough
towns to membership in the general assembly
1t is not the first time Republican majority
In the senate has in its rabid partsanshp outraged
decency and affronted the honest sentiment of the
state by taking the power of appointing committees
out of the hands of the governor when he happens
TO be Democrat.
BY the command of the same insoent and
brazcn boss whose sinister spirit dictated the
action of Thursdays caucus, Dr. Garvin was wan
tonly subjected to the same insulting spoation
that is now planned against Governor-eect
Higgins
But this scandalously partisan action is not an
insult to Democratic governors alone it is an
When James II. Higgins takes the oath of office.
one week from Tuesday next, he will do so not as
the representative of the Democratic party but as
the chosen executive Of the whole people of this
sovereign state.
To rob him. therefore, of rights that pertain to
tic subernatorial office in petty spirit of partisan
SPITE is to override the will of the people and make
moclery Of their mandate
A..
manifestations of malehc partisan bIgotry but they
will not be wholly without public benefit be-
cause they cannot fail to impress fair-mnded citi-
zens Of the mischief and menace of political system
that permits callous and impudent boss, through
tie nstrumentaty of servie creatures in the legs-
latve body, to despoi of his rightful prerogatives
governor who is the free choice of all the people
of the commonwealth.
here Is valid reason for the belief, however
that whatever self-satisfaction the boss may ex-
tract from this assault upon the rights of the execu
five will be turned into chagrin and dismay when
he finds himself confronted by governor holding
commission from the sovereign people to drive
him and his miserable legislative merchandising
from the state house.
Nothing made clearer by the verdict of the
electorate at the polls last November than that
public sentiment insistently demands that the boss
and his auction outfit be thrust from the state
house Nor is anything palmer than that mandate
of the people to James III. Higgins to fulfill his
pledge by exerting every power vested in the ex-
ccutive office to put an end to those scandalous
practices of the boss that have brought odium upon
the state and shame upon its decent citizenship
The boss may affect contemptuous disregard
OF this mandate, but he will be quickly brought to
realization of its potency. In the hands OF a fear
less honest and able executive, as Governor-elect
Higgins will undoubtedly prove himself to be- it
will be enforced if power of enforcement exists
That such power does exist seems undeni-
ab'c for it is nconceivable that the state house or
any part of it can be persistently used for vicious
and demorazing trafficking in defiance Of the
public will, and in nagrant disregard OF deceney
and propriety.
When James II. Higgins takes up the duties
OF governor the people OF Rhode Island may con-
hdently expect to see the boss auction flag cast
out OF the state house.