The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-09-12

Democratic caucuses really Democratic
and TO place In the hands OF the Demo
Gratis OF the city the power OF regulat-
ing their caucusss. which seems 10 have
rested for some time In the board OF can
vassers and registration They are not
intended. he said. 10 disfranchise any
Democrat and no genuine Democre
They were designed TO let every man
who desired TO participate in Democratic
oaucuses declare his intention In writing,
to have committee OF Democrats, one
from each ward. In addition 70 the chair
man OF the city committee. decide
whether his Democracy Was real or as
suned. and TO allow another committee
the executive committee OF the city or
ganixation, to act as a committee on APP
pcals, 20 which any person aggrieved oy
the enrolment committee's decision
might apply, and the work OF both com
mittees would then be passed upon IA
vorably or adversely by the entire city
committee
A vOIL.EY OF QUESTIONS.
Councilman O'Neil couldn't understand
various things about the rules and ask.
cd all manner OF questions. 10 many OF
which Cnl-Donahua replied. oh. you
know. Mr.: o'NeiL all about II You were
here in this room when the rules were
adopted and this was explained
Daniel A. Cotton. a member OF the sub
COMMITTEES which drafted the rules. ex-
planned tham In detail without comment
ing upon their virtues or defects, and a
volley of questions was fired at him from
all parts OF the room, but he remained
cool and non-committal as to the merits
OF the rules. merely stating that tne.
spoke for themselves.
John r. Bowen OF the Fourth, Francis
T. Reavey OF the Third and others Sec
onded Mr.. O'Neil's efforts 10 delay action.
when the councilman from the Third
ward. who 10 Alderman Dunn's chief leu
tenant and expects to be his political heir.
moved to Indefinitely postpone further
consideration OF the matter"
This motion was ruled out of order
amid a storm OF protests and much ora
tory. but there was no appeal from the
chairs decision
MR.. ONE1L CRATES.
Discussing the merits OF the rules, Mr..
ONeil spoke In part as follows:
"T don't think these rules ought TO be
adopted. II is up 10 US TO say whether
we will govern the party or whether we
will be choked of In the interests OF
few who are higher up. For one. / pro-
pose, II can accomplish II, to upset this
preposterous proposition. I can't see
where any good can come out OF these
new rules. for they, I'm my judgment, have
been concooted for the sole purpose OF
boosting some who are higher up. who sit
in their offices all day long line out lot
OF rules and attempt to foist them upon
us.
How was this accomplished, this adop-
ton of these rules7 Why, gentleT\n,
there were present three men from fne
city of Providence. All the others who
voted to adopt the rules came from coun-
try towns. We have heard talk about
rotten boroughs IL there is any more
rotten borough business than this at
tempt on the part OF a few country mem
bers to regulate the business of the l5.0Oo
Democratic voters In the city of Provi-
dence ia like to see II.
This II nothing more nor Tess than an
attempt to throw down honest. hard
working, jealous Democrats who have
only the best interests OF the party at
heart These rules. TO my mind. are nau-
seating-too drastic to be forced upon the
Democratic party of this city. They are
calculated to stir up factional Nights.
If the rules are adopted gentlemen,
you will see the Republicans running the
Democratic party. Take the Ninth ward
Tor instance. What In sought for theref
Why to throw on enough Democratic vot-
ers so that the other side can be braced
up and win out. Why, even In my own
ward, n made up e list OF 100 men and
another person In the ward made up list |
of 100 men, the chances are that mine
would be thrown out, or enough would be
discarded TO make the other mans list
overbalance mine. Why, you see. gentle
men. I'd be beaten from the start"
NEw RULES ACCEPTED.
DIR. Carroll replied briefly and simply.
declaring that the rules were for the pur-
pore of preventing political crooks from
controlling the Democratic party He
then moved the adoption OF the following
resolution:
Voted and resolved. That the rules
and regulations adopted by the Demo-
cratic state central committee on FRI
day. Sept. 6. 1907, regulating member
ship In the Democratic party and for
warded to this committee, be and they
are hereby accepted. and said reg,ila-
tons are hereby adopted by the Demo-
cratic city committee OF the city OF
Providence for the purpose OF making
regulations TO determine membership
in the Democratic party In said city
and to restrain those not entitled TO
vote at caucuses called by this COM
mittee from taking part therein under
the provisions OF chaptcv 107s OF the
public laws :.
On an aye and nay vote the antis made
q volume OF sound that might have been
heard over In East Providence and ap-
peared surprised when Chairman Dona.hue
doubted the vote and asked for n roll call
why. he's the only one who doubts the
vote" said one OF them innocently 10
reporter standing nearby.
The roll call showed that "a favored the
resolution and only 2s opposed Il. as fol-
lows: