The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-16
A SOMERSAULT.

The Democrats and Independents of this city
will have the use of the ward rooms for caucuses
for the election of delegates to the peoples
ton to be held in Music hall on the 22nd inst This
was definitely decided by the board Of canvassers
and registration yesterday after consultation with
the law department.
There can be no question that this final ruling
by the board is just, proper and legal its de-
cision of last week denying the use of the ward
rooms for this purpose unjust, improper and
illegal. AS The News Democrat pointed out few
days ago the ward rooms the property of the
people and therefore should be available for the
of the people for any legitimate public purpose.
Last week the board of canvassers denied the
request of the chairman of the Democratic city
that it had no authority to open the ward rooms
"for the purpose specified"
What was the purpose specified in Colonel
Donahue's request? He asked the use of the ward
rooms "on the evening of May 20 this year for the
purpose OF holding eaucuses for election CT dele
gates to a convention TO nominate candidate for
senator of the United States for this state"
The point on which the first request was denied
was that it was proposed to hold caucuses in which
citizens Of all parties might participate and these,
by the law
Who are invited under the call in pursuance of
which the caucuses will be held in the ward rooms
under the revised ruling of the board of
made yesterday? They are call electors Of the city
of Providence, irrespective of their former political
affiliations qualified to attend caucuses called by
said committee and the said committee" is the
Democratic city committee, whose previous request
was denied by the board last week
1t must be plain that the purpose of both re-
quests the same-that is, to obtain the use OF
ward rooms for the holding of caucuses in which
citizens Of all parties could participate. The Dem
ocratic city committee has not changed its attitude
nor altered its purpose.
1t is the board Of canvassers and registration
that has changed 1t has executed complete,
digniied and amusing somersault. However, it is
hardly necessary to remark that this contortion act
was not performed voluntarily, but was prompted
by the boards fear of being publicly compelled by
a superior power to do the thing it now claims the
credit of having done voluntarily.
Mayor Mccarthy when he learned of the out
rageous ruling of the board against the of the
ctys ward rooms for popular caueuses intimated
that he might find it necessary to call special ses-
sion of the city council to consider Colonel Dona-
hue's request.
Then it was that the board of canvassers saw
q new light then it was that it prepared for the
somersault it executed yesterday without grace but
with grotesque agility.
1t is fortunate for the city that it has an execu-
tive who will fight the cause of the people. 1t is
fortunate Also that its city council, partisan though
II be, is ready to aid him in securing justice for the
common people. as it did in the matter of forcing
the board Of and registration to keep its
office open Saturdays during May and June
until o'clock in the evening.