The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-24

ITO William II. Luther. Lewis j. Pierce
and Harold J. Gross, Board OF Police
Commissioners OF the City of Provi-
dence.
''Gentlemen-We desire 70 call your at
tention to the following facts in rela-
tion TO the caucuses of the Democratic
party heretofore held In the city Of
Providence
Ballot box stufing and fraud have
been proved against the officials in the
First and Ninth wards Of the city OF
Providence; and the parties who have
committed these frauds have been en-
abled TO profit thereby.
Last year there weres no delegations
from the First and Ninth wards In the
Demooratic conventions; and thore has
been no election OF new Democratic COM
mittees In these wards, the supreme
court having decided that where such
fraud is committed there Is no redress
for the citizens of the ward except the
punishment OF the persons perpetrating
the fraud.
Thus. IL Is only necessary for dishonest
caucus officials, under the control OF dis
honest ward committees to commit fraud
I'm the conduct OF the caucus and the
dishonest committee which has selected
these caucus officers (and probably made
arrangements for the fraud TO be COM
mitted) obtains the fruits Of their fraudu
lent practice by Continuance I'm office.
Besides the proved frauds and ballot
box stuffing in the First and Ninth
wards Of this city, there Is sufficient evil
dence TO show frauds OF the same char
acter committed In the Fourth ward or
this city.
These frauds have taken place in the
presence OF the police force OF the city
Of Providence. The continuance of this
manner of conducting the caucuses In
the city Of Providence cannot and Will
not be further borne by the honest Demo-
Gratis Of this city
I'VE believe IL is the duty OF the police
department not only 10 protect the peo-
pie Of this city I'm their rights. and TO
prosecute parties guilty OF the wrongs
which have been committed. but also to
prevent the Commission Of wrongs.
This year the caucus officers I'm the
First Fourth and Ninth wards are named
by the same ward committee that named
the caucus officers who last year com
mitted the fraud: and we have strong
suspicious founded on the statements of
the parties who have before been con-
cerned In the commission Of these frauds
that the same frauds will be attempted
I'm the First. Fourth and Ninth wards,
and perhaps I'm some other wards, at
the Democratic caucuses 10 be held on
Sept p. 1906.
I'VE. therefore, respectfully ask your
board 20 take proper measures for the
prevention OF these frauds. We ask you TO
send into the different wards OF the city
OF Providence officers who are under the
control neither OF the politicians OF the
ward nor OF the politicians of the police
force. who will be instructed as TO their
duties and who will watch the polling Of
the vote and give every citizen fair play
and a square deal. officers who will be
able TO see what is done I'm the caucuses.
ond. II not able TO prevent. at least 20
that the rights OF the citizens are en-
forced.
I'VE ask that the ballot boxes be so
placed that the depositing OF the ballots
bear witness OF the manner In which the
caucuses are conducted.
I'VE assure you that the honest Demo-
Gratis OF this city are determined that
any person committing frauds at the