The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-14

commissioner pledges himself TO do
his duty by the people and the police.
He says: ut Is my intention 20 see
that the laws OF Providence are enforced
10 the hest OF my ability. ana ! will en-
deavor TO bring about this condition at
all times. My election has pleased me
greatly / appreciate the expression OF
confidence shown In me in my selection
as the unanimous choice of the board OF
aldermen. and | shall try TO merit this
great honor.
''All / can say al present Is TO assure
my fellow citizens that ! Will bear In
mind the fact that "A trust has been re-
posed I'm me. and that at all times l Will
be found acting for the best interests OF
the entire community and in harmony
with every clean and progressive move
ment for the betterment of the police de-
partment"
The majority members OF the board are
pleased with his selection.
II know Mr.. presbrey by reputation"
SAYS Chairman Luther, "and ] am de-
lighted TO have man OF his character
on the board. ] have extended the
boards and my personal congratulations
to him on his election
Commissioner Harold j. Gross says II
am not very well acquainted with Mr.
Presbrey, but from everything / hear
said OF him | believe he will make "A very
good police commissioner. Ills appoint
ment Is very satisfactory to me-"
HIS CAREER.
Following is brief sketch Of Mr.. Pres
Walter AclSman Presbrey is a native OF
this city. the son OF former Councilman
Allen A. Presbrey. lie was born in 1861.
and was educated in the public schools.
In lsS2 he became an employe in the Of
flee OF the city engineer. where he re-
mained until 1895. during the last few
years as assistant city engineer. lie was
graduated from Brown university in 1890.
In 1895 he became surveyor for The
board Of tax assessors. q position which
he occupied for six months, when he re-
signed 20 enter into partnership with his
father i'm the firm of a. A. Presbrcy AZ
Son. which conducts box manufactory
and planning mill.
Mr. Presbrey was a member of the
common council from the Seventh ward
from 1901 until March Z, 1904. when he be-
came member OF the board Of aldermen,
succeeding Police Commissioner Lewis j.
Pierce IN the upper branch of the city
council. as he Will succeed him Feb. on
the police board.
Mr. Presbrey is a past master OF St
Johns lodge and past grand master or
the Grand lodge of Rhode Island having
held the highest position in the state or
ganization OF Masonry He Is member
OF Beta Theta Pi fraternity I'm the Brown
chapter. and is member OF the Church
os the Mediator.
BOARDS ACTION.
Mayor Mccarthy was by no means sat-
isfied with the course taken by the al
dermon AT the opening OF the session
the following communication from him
was read:
Jan. 10. 1905.
To the Honorable the Board OF Aldermen
of the City OF Providence:
conference.-the business which Is
made the order OF the day is the election
of q member of the board OF police com
missioners. The law imposes upon the
mayor the duty of appointing member.
subject to your approval. Such appoint
ment was made on Monday. Jan. 9Th inst
The matter was laid on. the table until
saturday, the 18th inst. when you de-
clined by a majority vote to consider the
matter. and IL is now in order for con-
sioeration a third time.
The law vests the chief executive with
the power OF selection OF candidates for
membership OF said commission charging
him with the duty OF making an impair
tial selection of competent men. There
is a presumption in favor OF such selcc-
ton. and i'm Difference to the law the pre-
sumption aforesaid and the mayors APP
pointment. the board OF aldermen are In
duty bound 10 approve of said appoint
ment. or TO give the public reason for
disapproval. Partisanship preference is
not n good reason. No party should mo-
nopolze public office. The public are in
terested in the action OF it's servants. AMI.
therefore, | would request your consider
alton of the name OF John II. Beagan.
MAYOR SPOKE OUT
After the nomination of Mr.. Presbrey
and its seconding by Aldermen Peter
the mayor partly relied for the election
of Mr.. Beagan. his honor took the floor
and expressed himself vigorously. and his
attitude was generally applauded by
Democrats
Alderman Peterson said that, while he
had contended that the mayors appoint
ment should stand. he was glad and proud
10 know that the body had been able 10
come together and agree on candidate
81 think that the members OF the DEM
ocratic party should get some explanation
OF our action said Alderman Dunn. Il
feel that IL the Democrats could have
elected "A Democrat IL ought to be John j.
Beagan, the mayors nominee. IL we
could not do that. and IL was impossible,
] know of no better man than Walter a.
Presbrey, and | want to compliment tho
majority i'm their selection of Mr.. Pres
brey. while ! second his nomination in
behalf of the minority"
II was az this point that The mayor
called Mr. Fletcher tho president OF the
board 60 the chair. and. addressing the
board. said i'm part:
by reason OF my official duty In the
premises II is incumbent on me Ia take
the floor in defence OF my action and I'm
behalf OF the candidate nominated John
+. Beagan, Esq. n man worthy OF most
respectful consideration at your hands
"You are now I'm session the third time
since his name was presented for your
approval You decline To consider his
name Your action might be Interpreted
az reflection upon both him and me.
BpAGAN IGNORED.
"AIr, Presbrey is nominated and eulo-
gized as "A young man, a capable man, a
public-spirited man, "A man or character
and good standing-all OF which l admit
I cannot crlticise him as a man or citi-
zen But | say for Mr. Beagan all that
can be said i'm praise Of Mr.. Presbrey
with the additional qualification that he
is lawyer. a qualification OF great value
to the board OF police commissioners by
reason OF the need OF judicial ability re-
quired in the trial OF n variety of causes.
involving the construction OF statutes and
ordinances as we'll as knowledge OF the
law OF evidence.
You have ignored Mr.. Beagans candi-
dacy by laying his name on the table
without giving any reason. The public
looks to YOU one and all for reason.
"In nominating Mr.. Presbrey, IL was
said that the office should not be partl-
San ask. IN that b. 80. why select all
the members OF the board from one
party, the Republican party2 IL your
action Il not partisan. in selecting third
Republican. entirely ignoring the Demo-
cratic nominee. how do you wish the pub
lie Co characterize your action? | say it
Is extreme partisanship.
II am convinced that II Mr.. Beagan
were nominated by a Republican. mayor,