The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-10-25
GOV. HIGGINS DENOUNCES
COERCION AT PAWTUCkET
Declares The Barclay Ring Clubs City Employees Liquor Dealers
Their Relatives Into Voting the Machine Ticket

pawtucket Republican ring was made last
vening by Gov Higgins al big rally
IN the Third ward OF that city at which
The hearticst Endorsement was given the
candidacy OF Col Robert H. I. Goddard
.or United States senator.
The governor urged that the voters of
Pawtucket make a united stand against
william III. Barclay. who, he said. had
Hgiven his bond to the state machine
guaranteeing that Pawtucket will send a
Republican delegation to the next assem-
bly, to help elect George Peabody Wet
more as United States senator"
John j. Fitzgerald. Edward NJ. Sulli-
van, Col p H. Quinn and Thomas II.
rorcoran also spoke.
The meeting was called to order at S
o'clock by former Alderman Edward Me-
raughey, who introduced William Mea-
cher as chairman OF the meeting. In
lurn Mr.. Meagher introduced John j.
Fitzgerald. who said in part
IF there ever was n time I'm the history
Of the Democracy In Pawtucket and in
The state when all men who believe in
\ square deal ought To get together and
work for success II is this year. We
have the best opportunity that we have
stature. and that will mean that few
small towns OF the state cannot control
the legislation at the state house.
Il have heard OF men going to war and
giving up their life for a good cause. but
if there is any man in this city who
stands up and declares that he has opin-
Ions OF his own which are not I'm accord
with the Republican machine he is TAX
Ing a chance with the odds all against
him. Such a man will find that his taxes
have been raised. or II he is a personal
property voter he will find that his name
has been stricken from the voting list
! ask you voters OF this ward and the
voters of this city III chance for a Job
ON the highways is worth more than the
right TO control your own actions and
your own vote on election day
1T Is only few years ago that the Re-
publican machine tried TO saddle a police
commission on us, but the people OF the
city rose up In their might and marched
into Providence and showed the people
at the state house that when they were
aroused their wishes must be respected
This year there is another chance to
show that you are aroused and call on
you again TO rise In your might and
ssush the crowd who are trying to gnin
control"
COL. QUINN.
Col. p. III. Quinn. the next speaker. was
1T was Is years ago that / was first
elected member of the State central
committee. and that year we were having
fight the counterpart of the present
one. We were making a fight to elect a
legislature which would name United
states senator, and that year II this Sec
tfon OF the city had done what II should
and had been loyal TO the party Nelson
w. Aldrfch would not now be represent.
Ing this state In the United States senate,
After Is years we are now I'm a posi-
tion where we have again an opportunity
TO elect legislature which will choose n
United States senator who Is n believer In
Democratic doctrines. Are you going To
let few people In this city defeat this
glorious object?
This II more than a local question.
There is much more at stake than getting
control OF the city council or electing a
mayor of your city. There Is the chance
OF success In the state; the fruition OF
years OF labor. II is possible for our
party to elect our candidates In a num-
ber of other places. and yet you may by
your detection prevent the full success
You owe IL TO yourselves and to your
state that you elect Democratic delega-
tion to the legislature.
There is not the slightest doubt about |
the fact that Pawtucket is Democratic.
why is there any reason for concern
about what is likely TO happen here in
'Pawtucket?
IF we succeed this year we shall be
able to turn out some OF the sheriffs and
we shall he able to carry out some re-
xorms which we want We shall have a
rhance TO elect United States senator
and should there be any question OF a
choice between Col. Robert H. l. Goddard
and George Peabody wetmore?
Last year we criticized the candidate
Samuel =. Colt. but Colt had some things
TO recommend him. because he had brains
and was an able lawyer and an able bust
ness man. This man wetmore has all
these years been pouring out his corrup-
tion fund and we have a right TO con-
denim him as the very worst man In the
state OF Rhode Island for many years l
wish It TO be understood that make no
reference TO his private character, but
speak of him only as pnhlc man. and
] say again that In him we have the
worst blot on the cscutcheon we have
ever had In Rhode Island"
THOMAS p. CoRCORAN.
Thomas p. Corcoran. the Democratic
mayoralty candidate said in part:
Let us examine into existing conditions
here for q few minutes. and first let us
direct our attention TO that source OF all
corruption and rottenness In our munich
pal life. the board OF tax assessors We
ind them at the present time endeavorng
TO change this overwhelmingly Democratic
ward into one OF the opposite political
faith. And how are they doing it7
THE lists OF voters as prepared by the
city clerk show a net Increase OF personal
property voters In this ward OF 15s. II is
needless 10 tell you that very few Of these
additional voters have the necessary
property qualification.
IF there are any young men present |
who have been placed upon the property |
list ] appeal 20 them TO vote as their
conscience dictates. rather than as the
machine dictates. | warn them that the
longer they vote with the machine the
longer they delay the time when they will
be granted fun. free and unrestricted
franchise. with no strings and tags at
tached."
GOV HIGGINS
Gov. Higgins was given a most enthu-
: /