The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-08
POLITICIANS TURN EYES
NOW TO POLICE BOARD
(Continued From Page ono

continued FROM Page One.)
In the Fourth ward Alderman Budlong
is a Republican who was endorsed by
the Democrats lie has some reputation
tor independence and integrity; and he has
some understanding Of the requirements
of practical politics which embrace at
least the appearance OF understanding
civic duties md promoting genuine public
interests. even at the temporary expense
OF the machine.
Alderman Reynolds who was reelected
in the Fifth by a large plurality has been
too long in the public service to sacrifice
the good opinion i'm which he is popularity
held merely for the sake of promoting
any mans private ambition. lie is not
considered a machine man.
Aldermen-Elect Fletcher i'm the eighth
and Spicer In the Ninth were nominated
by the machine: but neither can be ex-
pected TO support the ring I'm any meas
ure that will not conserve the city's best
welfare.
The next mayor OF Providence is a Dem
ocrst. who carried eight OF the ten wards.
including the First and Second. the home
OF the independents. which gave him
practically a fifth OF his plurality in the
city
He will not stand for ring domination
OF city affairs If IT lies I'm his poyer 10
stop IL. and he will not hesitate to inter-
pose veto or frankly TO criticise the
machines course whenever il is hostile 10
the peoples interest.
Col. Gross has not declared himself a
candidate for reelection; but his friends
have been active. In the Second ward.
where many voters were given TO under
stand that Alderman Barney was hostile
TO Col Gross. the result speaks for itself.
Commissioner William IL Luther, who
Is now on a brief vacation I'm the south.
said to friends before leaving that moth
ing would please him better than TO have
Col. Gross as his colleague for another
term. as he had found Mr. Gross fully
equal 10 all the requirements OF the place,
wise I'm counsel energetic in action. with
a high conception OF the duties OF the po-
stion and a most conscientious regard for
his obligation TO administer those duties
without fear or favor and for the best in
terests OF the city and the police depart
ment
In some quarters IL Is said that the ma
chine has tal1eh warning from the signs
OF the times and has retired to it's hole.
1t is even stated that Chief of Police Mat
thews has declared that he is no longer a
candidate for the position OF commissioner
and had not authorized anyone 10 speak
for him.
Roswell G. Smith. father of the police
commission act. whose name was once
mentioned prominently as a possible can
ddate for the succession TO Col. Gross,
is understood to have stated within
short time that Gross will be reelected"
Nevertheless, the machine has al
ways worked under cover, and been
more secret and devious in it's wind
Inn Iay. hax
apparently given mp it's openly ex
pressed hostility to COL. Gross in order
to lull his friends into fanCied Sc
curity and then spring upon them at
the last minute an opposition can
didate, after pledging a majority of the
board Of aldermen To turning down
any nominee that Mayor Mccarthy.
Democrat might name. particularly IL
such nominee was Of opposite political
faith to the majority.
There arc other ways i'm which It
might and undoubtedly would wprE,
II IL considered such ways necessary.
IL Col Gross is a candidate, the ma 70
chine will have it's hands full TO de-
feat him, i'm view of the record he has
made during his four years service.
and as under a majority OF the police
board the city has never been any
cleaner. IL so clean, as II now is
1t is general feeling that the
best tribute that could be paid TO the
administration OF the department Is To
cite the character Of the opposition. No
reputable man i'm the city has been
heard to declare against the honesty,
sincerity or efficiency Of the majority
OF the police commissioners; and II Is
upon the determination OF the people
to have affairs continue i'm thoroughly
efficient and reliable hands that Col.
Gross friends rely To cause his reap
pointmcnt and reelection.