The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-11
BEAGAN'S NAME kept ON
TABLE BY 6 TO a VOTE
Continued from Page one)

Continued from Page one)
OF the strenuous Roosevelt. nodded his
assent
No sooner had the minutes been ap-
proved than Alderman Peterson arose
and moved that the mayors nomination
of John p. Beagan for police commissions
er be taken from the table.
Alderman McAfann seconded the motion.
ut has been moved and seconded"
said the mayor, that the nomination of
John Il. Beagan for police commissioner
be taken from the table. Are you ready
for the question:
PETERsON'S SPEECH.
Alderman Peterson then spoke in part
as follows: "In moving this resolution we
are reminded that the act creating the
police commission for the city of Provi
dence was amended recently so as To pro-
vide that the appointment of commits
sioner in each year shall be made by the
mayor. And that is an eminenty fit and
proper provision, as the mayor Is elected
by all the people and Is responsible 10
them alone.
"One year ago an unusual condition
confronted the present chief executive OF
Providence The police department had
passed through an extraordinary upheaY-
al and the majority OF the police COM
mission had taken stand on conditions
which had the approval of the people
and was sufficient evidence To the may
or elected by the people that Commits
sioner Harold ]. Gross one of the two
majority members. should be reappoin;-
ed. The mayor believed that Commis-
sioner Gross services had been of such a
character as to make II both prudent and
Just for him To ignore partisan considera-
tions and to appoint the commissioner for
another term. And this board confirmed
the appointment.
'The mayor at that time was confront
ed with the fact that all three members
of tho board were Republicans, members
OF a different political party. lie had
conviction that a Democrat should be
member of the board but yielded this
conviction and appointed the chairman Of
tho Republican state central committe,
not however. because OF his politics. but
because OF his services TO the city and
his worth to the police department.
PRAISE FOR MAYOR.
'It is rare indeed. that such action liz
taken In politics. But that IL was heart
lily approved by the electorate was shown
by the triumphant reelection of the mayor
by largely increased plurality over that
received the previous year
"In view of the mayors action last
year, II would seem that when he has
named n gentleman of unimpeachabe
character. of known integrity and busi-
ness ability, this board should confirm
the appointment. unless something detrl-
mental can be urged against the appoiu-
I Zee In that cHse HOW II the time and
place TO state the reasons for not ap'
proving.
81 believe that the people would APP
prove the spirit OF fair play that would
/ be shown by this board in confirming Mr.
/ Beagan for police commissioners If yod
know OF no legitimate reason why the
mayors appointment should not be con-
! Al, uhn ata ha
I repeat. is elected by all the people and
speaks for them. l hope this appointment
viii he taken from the table and ap-
| proved"
! Not sound was heard I'm opposition.
| but the funeral note for any Democratic
! aspirant sounded. II is believed. when the
six Republicans voted solidy against TAX
| Ing the nomination from the table.
| PRESBREY FAVORED.
| II was currently reported this after
noon that an agreement had been reached
by the majority OF the Republicans 20
elect ex-Alderman Walter A. Presbrey,
and that this election may take place
Monday
/ IL Is not considered certain, however.
that Chief OF Police Patrick Egan will
have no support among the Republican
members OF the board.
There are some politicians who believe
that quite n number OF ballots may be
taken Monday. because some of the al
dermen have promised any number OF
candidates that they would vote for
them. and could safely do so on the Sc
cret ballot The candidates would be
| molilfed by having their names mention
ed and when all had been properly men
toned and mollined. the dodging alder
men could then proceed 20 elect candl.
date already decided upon.
| While the vote taken today did not
| prove positively that all the aldermen
! who voted on tho question OF taking the
noinlna tion OF Mr.. Beagan from the ta-
| ble would have voted the same way had
tho question been directly on Mr.. Bea-
| gan's confirmation. friends OF Mr.. BeaRan
| are disposed TO believe that IL meant
4 practically the same thing. and are will
\ Ing TO give credit or blame accordingly.
4 They would have preferred, however 30
/ see the nomination approved or rejected,
| according TO the intent of the law. and
possibly that action may yet bc taken
| before the election OF any other candi-
| date. -
OTHER BUSINESS.
Tho board. before adiourning 90 next
Monday al J p. IN, disposed Of the follow