The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-10-30
Richard B. Comstock.

with the conspiracy to carry the election
by fraud.
Richard B. Comstock.
| In part he said:
"One year ago. from this same plat
form, at a meeting presided over by for
mer Chief Justice Charles Matteson.
| had occasion 10 state certain facts and
| to ask question: Did there exist con-
spiracy to conduct fraudulent cleo
| tions?'
conspiracy last year TO conduct fraudu-
lent elections In the interest or the Re-
| publican party in this state. One OF the
most active and vigilant Democrats OF
this state, who never sleeps and who
never tires In the interests of the party.
Informed me that he had at last succeed
ed IN getting on to the the sch, scheme which which
dence and the adjacent towns We heard
| this story:
THAT the next day there would be
| brought into the city of Providence at
least 100 fraudulent voters; that these
| men would meet at different places In the
city; that each OF these men was to re-
| ceive 81 for each vote they would cast in
given to them at the different polling
| places at which they should vote
Our informant stated that they were
told that the police would not arrest
them: that In certain wards wardens and
clerks had been appointed who would as
sist them. and that II arrested they could
1
they were prosecuted under the law the
authorities would see that the cases were
got out OF the way.
4, After we received the information we
| Immediately took steps to verify these
statements. Our informant had told us
ing. but had not told us whether they
| were then in the city or not Fortunately.
one of our party was bright enough to
visit Turkish bath In this city.
~ f.f tlaot I<r.tl H.
saw at least 30 naked men. each sleep
| ing with their arms around such clothes
as they owned in fear that their COM
rades would take their clothes away
| from them, al men who come under the
| apellation OF 'foaters' or buns
I'VE found that the information given
| by our informant. was correct; that the
gangs met at the places we were inform
| ed they would meet, each one being under
leader; and all day long so or 90 reputa-
| BILE citizens followed these men to see
| that they did not cast fraudulent vote
Il believe considerable number of
fraudulent votes were poled i'm the inter-
| est OF the Republican party at the last
election, but can assure this audience
| that the number Is hundreds short of
what would have been pollsd unless we
had taken the precautions that we did
| take.
CONDITIONS IMPROVED.
II believe conditions I'm this city are
| better at this election, and the reasons
are these
First. we know that we have police
| force that under the control OF the pres
| ent board and the chief OF police, will do
their duty without fear or favor.
Second, while we have the same old
| board OF canvassers and registration, we
| believe that an aroused public feeling has
| at last penetrated even their dense hide
| and they are at last convinced that the
| people of this city want their officers to
| play fair. and, whatever the political
| party OF the officers, they cannot uso
| their office improperly in the interest OF
that party.
There Is no doubt that the gentleman
| nominated as the candidate OF the Repub-
| lican party for governor honestly intends
| 20 do his part in bringing about reforms
| but you must remember. first that the
governor OF this state absolutely has no
power; that the Republican party has
| stripped him OF any power, and doubt II
Mr.. Jackson will have really any infiu-
ence upon the men to whom. and TO whom
| only, II the Republican party succeeds, he
| must look for the accomplishment of
these reforms. Every leader. who has for
years taken his orders from the sheriff s
| office is nominated again for return to
| the house
MANY OF these men are the holders Of
4
| and I'm order TO hold their office they must
be subservient to the demands of the ma
| chine"
He analyzed the composition OF the Re-
! publican reform aggregation" exposing
them mercllessly and said:
IF the people OF this state wish to have
| the reforms TO which the Democratic
| party Is pledged. TO which every candi-
date n the Democratic party-whether for
the legislature or not--has not only been
pledged but has done noble work to bring
] about, then vote for the candidates of the
| Democratic and Lincoln parties. III the
| people OF this state wish the continuance
\ OF the same conditions we have had In
| this state for the past % years the vote
| for the Republican candidates, but i do
not believe that the people OF this state
will stultlfy themselves by desiring these
reforms and then put men I'm office who
have shown by their whole course OF life
that they are absolutely opposed TO these
reforms"
Theodore Francis Green.
The second speaker. Theodore Francis
Green ENLARGED upOn the general euhfect