The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-07
DECENT VOTERS
CONTINUED from Page One)

(COntlnOcu IIONl rage Sllt')
Mr. Thurston delivered q vigorous and
eloquent address. setting forth the intol-
erable situation in the ward and the
necessity for a union OF all decent ele-
ments to combat 1t. In part he said:
This Is not a factional meeting. Mel
ther is It controlled by any boss. Its
sole purpose Is TO get together the good
Democrats Of the ward who stand for
pure politics to discuss plans for rem
edying the evils that existed at the last
two caucuses.
1.-TWO years ago the caucus was con-
trolled almost entirely by the Providence
police force. Last year It was run by a
gang OF men who stopped as low as any
body could in a civilized community The
Democratic party in the ward was cheat
ed out OF It's representation In the state
convention two years ago, and last year
out of its delegation in the city conven-
tions.
"The question is, how to prevent re-
currence OF this thing this year We
have reason to believe that efforts IN
the same line are to be made: but we
intend TO have true Democrats OF this
ward choose the representatives In the
conventions and select the members OF
the ward and city committees uncontroll-
ed by any boss.
THE purpose OF this movement is sim
ply TO get a fair caucus In the ward. II
makes no difference how many factions
there are. so long as they are composed
of honest Democrats who Will vote for
Democrats and support Democrats on
election day.
Have you noticed that one Of the
caucus officers Is the man who last year
scratched his fathers name. although
his father swore he did not voter Have
you noticed that one Of them is a boy
who was not allowed TO vote last year
because his name was scratched, but
who afterward came up the second time
and voted2
Are you going to stand for that? IL
this sort OF thing is attempted this year.
and the state authorities do not take II
up. private citizens are going TO. and
see that the villains are punished We
are going TO have an hohest caucus; and
II we do we will win. We intend TO name
candidates who will command respect"
Chairman Thurston presented Congress
man Granger, VINO launched right into
the causes that had brought so many
earnest men together. Said he:
IT have felt shame and indignation at
the result OF the caucuses the past two
years This plan, conceived in sin, and
within the ranks Of the Republican party
could never have been worked IL the
Democrats had attended the caucus In
past years.
"It was a deliberate scheme OF the Re.
publican leaders 10 disintegrate the De
mocrncy OF the ward worked with the
aid OF the police force, after IL had been
placed under control OF the commission
that was to take II out OF politics-a po-
lice force that was never so deep In the
mire and mud as II was thrust against
It's own will two years ago.
MY friends ask me about the condi-
tions I'm Philadelphia and st. Louis. Why.
right here In Providence the men who
represent the corporations have carried
out a scheme never surpassed In villalny.
IL am willing TO abide by the party
caucus. but not by such caucuses as
these. Ii does no good 20 protest The
only thing 10 do is 10 get together Such
things make the whole system OF govern
ment n farce.
EVERY man here should pledge himself
10 bring 10 men 20 the caucus. The prop
osition cannot be handled with Kid gloves
~ II Is necessary, as IL was at Block Is
land 20 throw man out OF the WINDOW,
let's throw him out. This fraud Is tae
equal OF any that has been worked In any
CITY I'm the country yet II has had its
origin in men who call themselves leading
citizens"
"If the citizens OF the ward came to the