The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-03
RESPONSIBILITY
OF THE MAYOR
MUST Be MET

1T is right up TO the mayor-elect." de-
clared a well-posted man to a NewsDem-
ocrat reported today. Providence has
been fortunate In the calibre OF the DEM
ocrats elected to the office OF chief mag
istrate during the past dozen years or So
Yet of all the Democrats so elected none
took the office OF mayor with fuller deter
mination 10 do what appears TO him the
right thing on all occasions.
"Stll the situation Is such as a Demo
cratic mayor never had 10 face before, at
least not I'm many decades. lt was the
efforts OF a Democratic mayor to secure
decent conditions in this city that led TO
the taking away bv the Republican ma
chine OF the right OF home rule from the
voters OF this city on the false claim OF
a desire 70 take the police force out or
politics.
The board OF aldermen, which con-
trolled the police force. then was really
the creature OF the Republican machine:
and for some years after this robbery OF
the citizens OF Providence of their rights.
these were such vehement protest that
finally the control OF the police was so
fixed that II presumably was TO go back
10 the board Of aldermen.
NOW. not because Of any special care
on the part OF the Republican machine.
ter the police commission is managed in
the interests OF the people of Providence
that is Of all who have no special favors
20 demand and are interested In respect
for public decency
1T looks 10 me as II IL was the duty OF
the new mayor to keep conditions where
they have reached such a righ place right
where they are. The politics OF the man
appointed should have no more 10 do
with his selection than the color OF his
CraVat.
unfortunately though. the majority
OF the members OF the board Of aldermen
can see no possible chance for man
who is not Republican. Most OF the
Democrats Of the city believe that the
record made I'm an office counts for more
than a party label; and that is why the
friends of no man who has rendered con-
spicuous service 10 the Democratic party
are urging his appointment on the mayor
elect This very fact should be sufficient
for the mayor-elect 10 decide the trouble
some question on.
should Mr. Gross not be named by the
mayor-elect as his own successor. there
will be grave doubts Of his continuance
I'm an office where he is doing his full
duty. The only other person who can
be chosen will be a willing instrument OF
the Republican machine.
Then the ring will next fall manage
10 control the caucuses OF both parties.
A police commission made up as IL Will be
II Col Gross Is defeated, can defeat the
ing the cause of reform In the general
assembly when they come up for renoml
nation next fall. and that such a COM
mission would so do. those familiar with
Providence politics can not doubt. The
politics OF Providence have an important
bearing on the rest of the state, even
under our unfair constitution.
''The responsibility of the new mayor
Is great When last a Democratic mayor
had anything TO do with the management
Of the police force. he sought To make
needed reforms. and surely the next one
with the power OF naming a
man To aid In It's management Will set no
lower standard than his predecessor
Mayor elect Mccarthy should signallze
the restoration OF the partial right OF
self government TO Providence by making
A thoroughly non-partisan nomination.
The term non-partisan as applied TO an
official simply refers 10 his performance
of his duties I'm the office he is holding.
Certainly. motives OF civic decency, as
well as the non-partisan principle. de-
nand that the mayor-elect name Col
Gross and thus ensure the continuance
Of present desirable conditions"