The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-04
CITY MACHINE
QUEERLY BLIND

"It is clearly up TO the Republican state
organization TO take it's hands off the fight
In this city for a police commissioners to
succeed Col Harold j. Gross" remarked
a shrewd observer this morning 10 rep
resentative OF the News Democrat.
"I cannot see" he added what Boss
Brayton and his political understudes
can be dreaming OF when they neglect
this opportunity tn show that they are
sincere in their proteststions of desire
10 furnish the best possible government
to the people OF the city and state. and
TO claim the credit for the conduct OF at
fairs by commissioners they create.
Apparently they intend 10 let the ar
rogant city machine In Providence carry
out its plans for flying In the face or pup-
lie sentiment as expressed IN an .ne
newspapers by representative Democrats
and Republicans and members or other
parties, by reputable business men ana
clergymen. who take no active part IN
politics. and by organizations that nave
devoted their attention 10 the promotion
OF law and order
III Col. Gross is reelected, the Repuo-
lcan party OF which he II the state
chairman, must OF necessity get credit
for IL. as II has undoubtedly obtained
much of the credit for the eNcellsnt con-
duct Of police affairs by him ana CHAIR
man William III. Luther during the past
three years that they have formed the
majority OF the commission.
must take the blame; and IT Will be
load that would stagger any organiza-
ton.
"Instead of sullxng In their tents or
secfetly conspiring to defeat their own
party chairman, who has done so much
10 win respect for the organization or
which he is a part by acting in nom
partisan manner on such an important
body as the police commission,
every member of the Republican state
committee who is jealous OF the party
good name should be out in the field per-
sonally bringing pressure TO bear upon
the Republican aldermen TO vote Tor the
reelection OF Commissioner Gross.
BOSS Brayton has but 10 lift his hand
and not a machine man In the board or
aldermen would dare vote against cross
regardless of his non-partisan administra-
tion of affairs.
''Yet the boss whom Col Gross appoint
ed on the executive committee OF the
state central committee last month, mas
given no outward sign that he knows
there is a contest for the position or that
he understands that upon the outcome or
this contest will depend the question
whether his party is for a wide open town
or for honest administration of the laws,
as the people want them enforced.
ut should be a bold alderman. indeed,
who would dare to fiout public sentiment
as it has been drawn out by the mayor
elects invitation TO the people TO express
their preferences for police commission
err Yet there are some men In TINS city
OF that stamp, Selt-SeekeTS WHO III tntii
desire TO climb to a $1,000 job or TO elevate
some one OF their friends TO the position,
would trample upon every principle OF de-
cency and stife even the still small voice
OF conscience.
''NVhy should the Republicans play into
the hands OF the Democrats by forcing
Democratic mayor TO nominate faithful
Republican official solely because the
mayor desires to see good government
continued in this city and knows that un'
less he does make this nomination some
Republican members OF the board OF al
dermen will take advantage OF the situa-
ton 10 turn down any Democrat, will re-
fuse TO elect the Republican incumben-
and will choose some tool OF the city hall
ring 10 upset all the good work that has
been done for years pastf
"It would be the most short-sighted
policy possible, 10 my way OF thinking.
for the Republican members OF the board
Of aldermen--there are seven >or eight OF
them-to fail 10 vote unanimously for the
reelection OF Gross, regardless OF the &C
tion OF the Democratic mayor.
"If he renominates Gross, so much the
better for him. as Il will show that he de
sires a non-partsan administration OF po-
lice affairs end good government. whether
IL comes through Democratic or Repub-
lcan officials.
'If he fails in this imperative duty It
viii he clearly up 10 the Republican
members Of the board to do their duty by
the city, by their party and by themselves
by ro-electing Col. Gross.
ITO turn him down now would be to
commit political suicide and II the Re-
publican partys reason has not yet fed
10 british beasts the leaders ought 10
show some signs OF IL instead of desertng
their nominal commander on the field Of
battle"
II understand that High Sheriff Gen.
Hunter G. White, who is chairman of the
RpDnDliCan
spokes In the local machine wheel are
advocating the election OF Col. Arthur II.
Watson, and that most persistent efforts
. are being made 70 induce those members
OF the incoming board of aldermen who
have expressed themselves In favor OF
Col. Gross's reelection to support Wat
son.
II do not believe. however. that they
can succeed; moreover. they ought not 10
sir-reed" "
Sheriff White was asked: "Are you in
teresting yourself In the appointment OF
Col Watson as police commissioners"
II shall have to answer that by saying
that ! really don't know" he replied
Are YOU doing anything 10 help Col.
Watson?"
one, he said. II am i'm favor of whatever
seems best for the Republican party as a
party. Col Gross has made n good COM
missioner so far as l know"
In refutation OF much that has been
said In criticism OF Col. Gross absence
from the meetings OF the board through
his trips 10 Europe and New York. IL is
stated on the authority Of Secretary
Gee OF the commission. that there were
60 meetings held during 1906 or these over
90 per cent or So. were attended by Chair !
man William IT, Luther; over IS per cent
or 55. by Col Gross and ~ or a scant 70
per cent by Lewis ]. Pierce.
IL is known that there were no impor- !
tant meetings held. or even scheduled |
during the absence Of either Chairman !
Luther through illness or Of Col. Gross |
on a vacation. while. IL is claimed. a |
large number OF the meetings Mr. Pierce |
has failed to attend. even while he was |
In the city. were important. like revok- |
Ing licenses. ordering saloons close on /
Christmas dsy or dismissing policemen |
who had failed 20 obey the rules.
While Chairman Luther was away, /
however. through Illness Mr. Pierce was |
on hand nearly every day.