The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-07-23
COUNCIL SLlPs
1T CRANsT0N'S
POLICE CHIEF

At special meeting yesterday after
noon the Cranston town council laid plans
for blow at violation OF the law over
the head OF the chief OF police John Bis
bee. by appointing Leroy II. Whitman
special officer to prosecute under the
liquor laws. this being the first time In
a quarter OF a century that anyone be-
sides Chief Bigbee has held this position
The councils move does not deprive the
chief OF any OF his authority, for the
council can appoint as many persons TO
this office as II wishes. The chief was
not present at the meeting and knew
nothing about the appointment until he
was told.
The councils move is attributed to the
recent agitation about what has been call
ed bad government. I'm which Rev.
Thomas r. Bartlett. pastor OF the Paw
tuxet Baptist church, Is thought to have
been a moving factor.
Leroy r. Whitman is an old resident of
Cranston. and has had more or less TO do
In public affairs as moderator OF the
First election district, as police constable.
as former agent OF the Rhode Island So
ciety for the Prevention OF Cruelty TO
Animals and as an elected Justice OF tho
peace on the Republican ticket although
he has never qualified for this position.
He Is one OF the foremost members OF
the Pocasset fire engine company and
president OF the Rhode Island State Vet
eran Firemens league.
He has been mentioned as n possible RI
val for the position OF town sergeant
should opposition develop TO Chief Bigbee
next fall, although IL Is a matter of rec
ord for many years that Chief Bigbee.
opposed only by the opposition party and
never until last year in the Republican
caucus, always led his party's ticket, Sc
curing even more votes than any men,
Der OF the town council.
Councilman Edward s. Rhodes OF Paw
tuxet after the meeting gave the follow
ing explanation OF the actions:
THE council has not been satisfied with
the way things have been going, and II is
determined to have them better. Unli-
censed places in the town are going to be
closed UP and the licensed ones are to be
made TO come up TO the law"
He also stated that the so-called gam
bling places in the town would be closed
up n any were found in operation. He
said Whitman would begin work immedi-
ately.
Councilman John NJ. Dean when asked
about the appointment. said he thought
that II the chief OF police had not been
able TO get evidence I'm certain places Il
would be a good thing TO give him little
assistance. He thought Whitman would
be a good man to do this.
Chief Bigbee said the appointment came
as great surprise TO him, and he did not
understand the meaning OF II. He sad
there had been no special complaint abo IL
liquor places lately, and he had been look
ing after them particularly OF late. He
did not think that any OF the alleged gam
bling places were running
Mr.. Whitman said after the meeting
that he had not known what was TO be
done until he was told. He added that he
would accept the position, OF course
When asked II there was anything more
to the appointment, he hinted there was
some feeling between him and the chief
and he recalled that some years ago n
petition had been sent to the council ask
ing that the same appointment be made
and the council had refused TO make H.
This petition was circulated about the Ar
lineton district several years ago and was
presented to the council by Henry O.
Trip.
The council considered at some length
the complaint which was made by Rev
Theodore ID. Martin. Jr.. and the clerk
OF the Church OF the Ascension, Auburn.
against peddlers who have been batting
horses In front OF the parish house. and
the matter was referred to the chief or
police.
The widow and children OF Llewellyn J.
Wells. who was killed by a rock flying
from blast at the knight farm on Scit-
uate avenue, as he sat in the wagon In
the road on the afternoon OF May q, made
a claim To the council for $4,000 as dam
ages for his death. This was referred TO
the committee on claims.