The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-02
THE INAUGURATION.

There be no mistaking the meaning Of
yesterdays outpouring of the states best citizen
ship to attend the Inauguration of James H. Hig-
gins as governor of Rhode Island The abiding
faith they have i'll him, the confidence with which
they rely upon him to courageousy labor TO bring
about that political regeneration of which the state
stands so sorely in need impelled them to give by
their presence at yesterdays impressive ceremony
the inspiration of hearty Godspeed to the new
ecutive at the beginning OF an administration they
sincerely hope will be made notable by the restora
tion to the people of their stolen rights and by the
return once more to honesty, decency and right
eousness in the conduct of political affairs.
In Withholding his message TO the assembly
until day when the attention of the members will
not be distracted by the ceremonies of Inauguration
or the business of organization of the two branches
he acted wisely. The few words he did utter after
taking the oath of office were entirely beittng the
occasion and neither in appropriateness of express
sion nor in dignity Of bearing does he suffer in
parison with any predecessor in the gubernatorial
chair.
But if the people witnessed with pride and
with hope the inauguration of their new executive
they observed with rising indignation the presence
o. the callous and insoent boss upon whose mis-
chievous practices and malevolent Vaccinations
they stamped the indeble seal OF condemnation
and re,robation at the polls on November last
None but brazen bully, bankrupt in every
sense of decency and propriety, would have had the
amazing hardhood to challenge the wrath of the
people he has insulted, outraged and despoed by
strutting about state house he has dehled by his
notorious and noisome trafficking.
If the boss by establishing himself in his old
place in the sheriffs office yesterday intended to
notice that he purposes to again make that
office the headquarters for his legislative juggling
and obbery he has wholly msjudged both the
courage of the executive and the temper of the
decent citizenship of Rhode Island.
The plain and emphatic verdict at the polls last
November was that the boss should be thrust out
OF the state hoiise. His presence there yesterday
not a private citizen, but the old-time task
master of savish legislators in contempt OF
that verdict and it will be punished if authority to
punish comes within the powers of the states
governor.
No political manipulation, discredited and rep
robated will be permitted to continue unchecked
those scandaous practices that have disgusted and
shamed decent citizens There is power, some
where to kick him out and keep him out of the
state hcrse; and that power will be invoked.
Those who witnessed the proceedings in the
house of representatives yesterday were not
prsed even in the face of his promises of fairness
and imparality, to the boss carpet-bag speaker
reveal himself as rank partisan i'll the very first
ruling he was called upon to make.
His attempt TO override the right of the minor
ity to roll call was glaring piece of partisan
presumption as has ever been shown by any
speaker and it served to give not only the Demo
Gratis and Independents in the house. but the gen
cral public as well opportunity to take the
measure of the man the boss has thrust into the
chair Of the presiding officer.
That they find him only a narrow-vsioned par
tisan puppet is not surprising. Had he been any
the speakers chair.