Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-11-06
MASSACHUSETTS.

There she StAnds-with Ben. Butler on
top"
But why is Butler on top, and is he
likely TO remain there He was elected
last year by Republican votes, and II
reelected today II will be by Republican
yotes-for Massachusetts, remains Re-
publican State, whatever the result OF
todAy's election. Last year thousands OF
Republicans voted for Butler 20 "see
what the old man would do, because
their candidate was unknown and unPop-
ular, because they thought that some.
thing might be wrong which he would
night, and because they wanted d change.
These wants and desires have all been
met during the past year, and now Il
remains 20 De seen how well pleased
those boiling Republicans are with the
result Of their work. If they are salts
fed, he will be reelected, and looking a.
the contest from an outside position, W.
should not be greatly surprised at such
result.
Soon after his election, Gov. Butler be-
gan an investigation OF the Management,
of various State Institutions. He found
some Encouragement, particularly al
the State Prison and the Tew ksbury
Aims House. He removed the Warden
Of the prison, and since that time affairs
have moved quietly within Its walls. In
the Iewksoury matter he I'd not move
JudlciOuSly, but called lot OF strumpets,
IampS and bummers as witnesses 70
Impeach the management. Such chArac-
tiers are never satisfied with their treat
m ent anywhere, anu, of course, told very
tough yarns about the lnstItututlon, many
Of which were dispr0ved. While little
or no dependence can be placed upon
such evidence, enough truth was brough'
out 10 show that there had been bad
work, particularly IN the care OF infants
and IN the disposition OF dead bodies.
There are two ways Of looking at this
expose. The public method OF getting
out the facts and the endeayor 10 show
the worst side was calculated 10 bring
disgrace 10 the State. Bat If 1t served
70 cause the Trustees Of other institutions
IN Massachusetts anu elsewhere 10 be
dlhgent IN looking after the welfare OF
JLJSe under their care, It was well, no
matter II Gov. Butler was actuated BY
personal OF malicious motives. If the
investigation mad been conducted with
more propriety aud greater secrecy, II
might be lntimated that the whole had
hot been told. and the people would have
O,en subjected to Idle fears, based on
such facts a. would have inevitably leaked |
out. 1t Is true that the Republican party |
a. party Is not responsible for this |
wrong doing, but it cannot wholly es-
cape blame, for what wrong there was,
t.AnSPlred under Republican admins
tT@uOn. The fault really lies with the |
Trustees, who should have kept such |
watch as 10 have made abuses Of this
character impossible, but as these officials |
we've appointed by Republican admin
Is,ratIOn, some odIum viii attach 10 the |
party.
Gov. Butler has made the most OF
these Investigations tell for ms personal
advantage. de has exposed Massacnu-
sells and gloried IN her shame, because
1t Promised to further MS political sspi-
Ianoas. He has played upon the feel
lGss VI the suPerst!tIous, aroused the
passions Of the base, promised preferment
10 'hr greedy, and called forth the SYM
pAtLles Of those sentIment4llsts who do |
net Distinguish between honest men and
I'guoS. 1t would not be surprising If
there were a sufficient number from these
eisss'S IN the Republican party to re-
elect Butler. Sad as such a result would |
Dc tor Massachusetts,, IN might no, be a
b-d 'uing for the country at large, as il
would certainly make him Presidential
Candidate.