The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-13
THE PLOT WILL FAIL.

Long ago citizens of Providence, and indeed
OF the entire state ceased to experience or express
surprise at any exploit in the way OF rank par
tisanshp in which the board OF canvassers and
registration might indulge. But if their surprise
came to an end, their anger grew in measure and
in intensity with each recurring manifestation OF
unreasoning political bgotry until they have come
TO regard the board OF canvassers and registration
as the most contemplate and insolent body OF pub
lie servants that ever afflicted and scourged an
American community.
MS board was created to do the dirty work
OF the boss and with the exception of the few years
during which it was actually non-partisan and not
as it is and has been for years worse than par
tsan it has done that dirty work with a willing
ness and enthusiasm that indicates only too plainly
that its natural bent is toward the filth and not the
decent in political methods.
II was anticipated as matter of course this
many-times discrcdited board would endeavor to
hamper and harrass the forces OF reform in every
way possible, but not those who hold it in
greatest contempt ever dreamed it would commit SO
sef-accusng and self-convicting an act as that OF
refusing the Democratic and Independent citizens
OF Providence the use of the ward rooms for the
holding of caucuses for the choice of delegates
to a state convention of the people to nominate
candidate for the United States senate.
Less than 4 year ago the board of canvassers
gave permission for the use of the ward rooms for
an exactly similar purpose. By its refusal now does
il not accuse itself of having committed wrong
and of having put the city to an unwarranted ex-
pense?
And what is its explanation when confronted
with the precedent established by its own action
twelve month ago? That the request that has just
been turned down was different in form from that
presented last year. that provided for nonparti-
san caucuses, while the one of year ago provided
f.. Democratic caucuses only
On its face such explanation is the veriest
buncombe. The fact is that last years request was
signed by man who, though holding office in the
Democratic organization through the most bare
faced chicane. was known TO have acted against the
interests of the real Democracy and to be persona
grata TO the board of canvassers on that account.
Moreover, it was the purpose of this Hessan,
and those in league with him who last year secured
the of the ward rooms without question, not
10 help the of reform, but to do it much in
jury as lay within their power. Not only the
for the primaries and the request for the of
the ward rooms tricky evasion of the original call
OF the state committee, but it was the plan of this
treacherous set OF mercenary manpuators to SO
the caucuses as to gain complete control of the
peoples movement, and then disrupt it in order to
further the sinister schemes of the boss who doles
out the dirty dollars with which the Braytonism
oligarchy supplies him. but with which it will
probably supply him no longer since his own deceit
and double dealing have been exposed
A year ago the request for use of the ward
rooms having been made by an individual in the
good graces OF the board of aldermen, it grant
ed the favorable ruling of the law department
This year, as the request signed by real
democrats ana not Dy f1cSSldnS nlaSQueradinS III
the garb of Democracy, the board of canvassers de-
cidcd to refuse il, and in order to obtain legal
opinion to warrant and justify the contemplated
action it sought the advice of the law department.
1t rs needless to say the board of eaHpasseFs got
what it wanted. The city's law department can be
generally depended upon to give an opinion in line
with the acts committed contemplated by the
board OF canvassers. In this case the law depart
mcnt holds that the board of canvassers has no
authority to open the ward rooms for the purpose
specified in the request, as the proposed caucuses
are not recognized under the caucus law.
If orderly and peaceable caucuses, in which
every man is given an opportunity to cast his ballot
and in which every ballot is honestly counted
as they in the senatorial caucuses held
last year, are mot recognized under the caucus
law, will the law department tell the citizens what
sort of caucuses are so recognized?
Are they the kind held in the First ward for
example, where ballot box stuffing and intimida-
ton are the common practices and where, when
these fail theft of checklists is resorted to in order
there secure decision by which men will be con-
tinued in office simply because these acts OF chcane
were committed in their interest?
That kind OF caucus has been recognized by
the law" as the presence today on the Democratic
city committee OF Hessian hold-overs is ample
proof and ii has been recognized too long
II is nothing short Of public infamy, however
for board OF political bigots to deny to large part
of the reputable citizens OF Providence the use of
public property for proper and legitimate public
use
No one need be told the reason for such An |
iniquitous ruling The forces that have pillaged
and polluted are in despair. Last years chastise-
ment gave them warning OF the greater wrath to