The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-02
THE BOSS MAN
bURCHARD MADE
BAD BEGINNING

The house of representatives yesterday
had it's first bitter taste OF Burchardism.
the lemon edited and published by Boss
Brayton.
1t is expected to prove an edition de luxe
for the house members who desire fair
play-as the exquisite speaker from Little
Compton seems TO have acquired, as the
most rudimentary and elemental principle
OF ruling house which contains members
hostile to the boss, mental strabismus
and ocular eclipse whenever a member
of the opposition desires recognition or
ruling on a plain constitutional point.
1t matters not that even a new member
would be expected to know and recognize
the point Immediately. to say nothing OF a
former chairman OF the committee ON spec
ial legislation whose cardinal principle and
object In being is to recognize and bury
quickly or sooner bills that contain good
points against the machine OF the boss.
1t took only a few seconds OF Burchard's
prolixity go convince the Democrats, Inde-
pendents and Republicans alike that 1t
had been tapped with malice aforethought
and prepense.
His speech accepting the speakership-
that is. his public expression, II the
acknowledgement OF Boss Brayton's as
sistant made elsewhere must be elinin-
ated, was a typewriter mixture OF more
or less correctly quoted gems from the
elegant Burchard and one "Bill' Shakes
peare.
II speedily became apparent that the
plan OF procedure mapped out by the vet
eran political manipulation, ex-Speaker
Samuel Ward King Allen. the tall syca-
more OF East Greenwich, had rot been
committed by heart; and, IL IL had been,
the speaker. in the Illustration consequent
upon taking up such great responsibility
$50 suddenly" forgot IL at critical stages.
Rep. f. X. L. Rattey that arch Demo
cratic disturber," spread the net in the
sight OF the speaker. lie moved that
committee OF five members. consisting of
three members OF the majority and two of
the minority. be appointed TO prepare
rules.
1t was defeated, and motion to ad-
journ was made. during a period OF dis
cussion that followed mental alteration
or complacent introspection on the part
of the speaker.
The question was put. The ayes were
feeble; and the chorus OF noes that swell
ed up startled people I'm the gallery and
might have been heard down near the
Union station.
The speaker said "The ayes appear to
have it," His impression was doubted.
and Rep. Joseph Mcdonald. a skeptic, de-
manded a roll call vote, just as If he had
some rights as representative from
Pawtucket I'm a house that could elect the
august member from Little Compton
speaker.
OF course, Mr.. Mcdonald was ignored;
and equally OF course, just to be stub
born. he insisted, protested. gesticulated,
agitated, refused to retreat or equivo-
cate and declared ne would be heard He
even had the unbridled audacty to de-
mand that the roll be called, and pre-
sumed to believe that the state constitu-
ton backed him up in his demand, quot
ing the section in point.
Finally. in a spirit of benevolence. and
without even waiting for any expression
of opinion from the high sheriff's office,
unless he got one by wireless, Mr.. Burch-
ard, who held that IL was a question OF
parliamentary law, condescended TO admit
that he was being interrogated by tho
gentleman from Pawtucket and 10 pass
upon his point
Without finding the slightest constitu-
tional pertinence in the point raised or
admitting it's correctness, but simply to
show that the constitution was made to
aid its latter day friends and discomfit it's
enemies. he said he would allow a roll
call.
The question was then lost on a strictly
partisan vote. Republicans feeling that,
however egregious a blunder their pre-
siding officer might make. he meant 10
do the right thing as he had been ordered
to do II, and that IL wouldn't be at all
safe. from the machine standpoint to let
the hated and wicked and vociferous
Democrats have their way In anything.
Before putting the Rattey resolution,
which had lain on the table during the |
presence OF the governor and senate the
honorable speaker neglected whether |
from design or accident, or worse TO read !
1t; and Candidate for Speaker John w. |
Hoaan neglected his opportunity to make |
the point of order against Mr.. Aliens |
motion to lay on the table, that the reso- |
luton. not haing been stated or read by |
the speaker, was not properly before the |
house.
Throughout the proceedings there was !
an apparent spirit OF don't-care- ness that |
savored OF disgust on the part OF the Re- |
publicans which BODIES well for the sue |
cess OF measures that have not been set !
tied in caucus and that may be splung |
suddenly by the vigilant and active MI |
nority.
If Burchard could get into such a hole. |
such a number OF holes rather on the |
opening day Of the session. when every |
thing had been planned out for him By |
the boss and the boss lanky right arm. |
>. w. X. Allen, what degree of profound |
political strategy Will be required to ex- /
tricate vim before the sessions are many |
DAYS older. is a question for experts I'm /
differential calculus 10 figure on, without |
much hope of reaching a satisfactory so |
luton.
There was no Bliss in the Republican |
ointment. II is all Burchard. or mustard, !
and IL stings like the mischief: but HIS |
high mightiness. the boss, has deCreed |
and the majority must kow-tow and obey. |
Selah.