The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-14
SULLIVAN OF CRANSTON
PREPARING FOR STRIFE
Expects Give Battle State Organization Question Affecting
Home Rule in His Town

Because the state Democratic organiza-
tion presented the name OF Thomas +.
Cooney for election as judge OF the
Eighth district court in opposition to
that OF Willis 8. Knowles. the Cranston
management OF the Democratic party is
threatening things.
Edward NJ. Sullivan. Cranston's state
committeeman. declares that a change
must come this year in the conduct OF
the campaign, as the union with the
Goddard element cannot be continued
when there is Democratic candidate
for president to be voted for, and Mr..
Sullivan intimates that the Cranston
Democrats will follow line of action of
their own during the coming year, inde-
pendent from the rest of tho party In the
state.
'"The members OF the general assembly
representing the Democratic party have
seen ut TO violate an essential principle
OF Democracy. that Of home rule, In
selecting in behalf Of the Democratic
organization OF Cranston candidate for
justice of the district court of the Eighth
judicial district without the knowledge
or consent of the organization in Gram
ston' says Mr.. Sullivan. "They did not
select candidates for several other dis
tflCtS ana Olu nOt htlttb n thiitiNoeo 80
clerk I'm that district, so that their ac-
ton with respect to the Judge was not
in accordance with any rule observed In
all cases. They did not elect that can
didate. but they succeeded In showing
that they would have disregarded the
wishes o. the Cranston organization IL
they had the power TO elect candidate
Such an action Is destructive OF party
discipline. party loyalty and even party
organization, and cannot be permitted TO
pass without repudiation.
NOT BINDING ON HIM
"At the annual meeting OF the state
committee / dssented from the passage
OF a resolution appointing committee
to confer with the members OF the gen.
eral assembly relative to party candi-
dates for office and had myself recorded
as not bound by such a resolution on the
ground that no committee had any right
to select candidates In behalf OF the
Cranston organization except the town
committee OF Cranston. The Cranston or
genization has loyally supported the state
party and the state party Is under OBJ
legation to support the Cranston party In
local matters When the state organiza-
tlon ceases 10 do that the Cranston or
ganlzation is under no obligation 10 sup
port the state organization.
"In the present instance II is of little
consequence what the state organization
did. because Il had the power to do very
little. But there Is n principle involved
which should have application not only
when the party In without power but
(what is OF consequence when the party
has the power 10 do as II pleases. The
party organization, not only in Cranston.
but in every town and city. must be given
security that Its wishes in local matters
will be regarded by the state organlza-
tion. When those who are In authority
refuse 90 observe this rule their action
must be repudiated and condemned and
their longer domination OF the party
fought and. n possible. destroyed.
THE Democratic party can secure
power to administer the state govern
ment only by securing the confidence OF
the people. Such disregard of the
will OF its supporters as has