The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-02
MACHINE HOPES
To BEAT CROSS
WITH WATSON

Col Arthur III. Watson continues TO be
generally regarded as the candidate OF the
Providence Republican machine TO sue
ceed Col Harold j. Gross OH the police
commission.
He refuses to deny the report that
carefully planned attempt is being made
I'm his interest by men allied with the Re-
publican machine to- defeat Col. Gross.
chairman of the Republican state central
committee. by winning Republican al
dermen who have pledged themselves 10
Gross.
Col Watson says: II am making no
canvass for the position. | must decline
TO discuss the matter. | have nothing To
say and do not wish 10 be quoted In any
manner,
Machine men are approaching aldermen
in the interests OF Mr. Watson, using as
their chief argument the claim that II
Col Gross, any independent Republican or
decent Democrat Ia elected "ths whole
power OF the Republican machine IN
Providence will be undermined"
Aldermen Reynolds. Peterson. Fletcher
and Spicer VIII support Col. Gross re-
sSar Of aSOn eX ss nnons 2s
expected to vote for Col. Gross III not 100
III 10 attend the session OF the board on
Monday next
where Col. Watson resides, said when
asked II he would support him III his name
were presented for that orice. that he
must decline TO answer that question, as
he did not consider that he had any right
to give expression TO his preferences, even
if he had any, when by SO doing II might
influence some other member or the city
council In his vote.
II is known that Aldermen McMann and
Dunn are out for anything TO beat
GROSS" and IL is asserted that they will
support any other candidate the Repub-
lican machine may name.
Alderman Dunns friends seem to have
given up all hope Of Mayor-elect Nc
Carthy sending Dunn's name to the board
of aldermen; and It Is known that Mr..
Mccarthy is bitterly opposed to Col. Wat
son as member of the police commits
sion.
Those who know the next mayor best
believe that he would not hesitate TO
nominate Col. Gross. however strongly he
may desire TO see Democrat chosen. IL
he believed that such action would pre-
vent the election OF Col. Watson or any
other Perry machine candidate.
Despite Mr.. Parks statement, it is the
general opinion that he is a Watson
man" beyond any doubt 1t is said 10
have been Col Watson who first put for
ward Mr.. Parks for city council honors:
and those who profess TO know assert that
If there is the slightest chance TO elect
Col Watson he will have the vote OF Mr..
Parks.
If, however. Mr.. Mccarthy should ap-
point Col. Gross and It became evident
that il was impossible to defent him In
the board, II is said that Mr.. Parks then
would be desirous OF getting on the band
wagon, and would vote with the sure ma
Jority TO confirm Col Gross.
1t is we'll understood that the fight
against Col Gross is being engineered
under the surface by a discredited polt-
ical writer whose former influence has
been nearly destroyed and who now faces
the last ditch.
1t was he who frst put forward James
T.. Reilly as a prospective Democratic
candidate. When this game failed AL
derman Dunn was seized upon by the
same manipulation. who has exerted every
effort TO force him upon the mayor-elect
and the board OF aldermen.
The engineer OF the machine has now
become convinced that there is no hope
for Alderman Dunn. and accordingly has
brought Col. Watson TO the front and
that gentleman. It is said at city hall,
has the same forces behind him as have
been behind Alderman Dunn and as were
so active in belittleing the charges against
Chief of Police Matthews and in endeav-
oring to prevent his conviction.
One OF the most experienced observers
at the city hall said today: This is tho
last stand made by the man who has as
sumed TO run city politics as agent OF
Brayton and Perry. He realizes that II
he loses this fight his power is completely !
and absolutely gone forever; and IL is To |
he hoped that Mayor Mccarthy will serve |
the city and the people by making this
mans overthrow complete and certain.
1T Is In McCarthys power: and his |
course In this matter is vital to the we'll |
being of the city and the destruction Of |
the powers OF iniquity In city politics |
Only by the appointment OF Col Gross
can he do this, however"