The daily gazette., 1883-03-26
VIM. SPRAGUES FIGHT.
A POLITICAL MOVE FULL OF
ANOMALIES.
A BIG CONTEST INA SMALL STATE
what william Sptsgue's Candidacy
Menns-GOvernOr Butler's influence An
the Fisht-The Rrospeety.

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A Providence correspondent says: The
present political movement In Rhode Island
is full Of anomalies. tits primarily revolt
against political "bossism," but also gives
vent to selfish ambitions long repressed, to
secret vengeances long cherished, TO reform
schemes long planned 1t is more curious
spectacle than the Butler campaign in Mas
sachusetts, for the party rebellion against
the ruling dynasty has more incongruous
| elements than the several Butler factions
contained. William Sprague is being sup
ported for Governor by Democrats, by
Equal Rights" men, by Independent Re-
publicans, by pure Independents and
| floating vote. Ask any member of anv one
of these factions why he should yoti for
William Sprague and he cannot give you
logical answer. But If you ask him why he
should not vote for Augustine o. Bourn, the
regular Republican candidate, he will boil
over with reasons therefor.
1t is not necessary to explain who VII
liam Sprague is. The name OF Sprague as
a candidate to unite the disaffected elements
was suggested by q Newport newspaper
about three months ago. 1t was laughed at
at first, but the idea grew In favor and out
lived ridicule. 1t was found that the men
tion of his name aroused much sympathy
pcOplo WHO UeucNCu ne nAO
been cruelty abused. Among the creditors
there was a considerably y-extended belief
that If the Spragues were restored to poIiti-
cal power a speedier and more just settle
ment of the property disputes could be had.
Among the Democrats, although Sprague
still prOclaims himself Republican, there
was a hope that, by uniting with the dis
affected elements, a bold stroke for power
could,be made. Independents and Euual
Rights men, though neither could find iu
Sprague's record any representation of the
principles they espouse, yet joined the revelt
with the hope that 1t would prove a mega
tive benefit by enabling them to strike a
blow at the ruling dynasty and thus,
perhaps, clear the way for future positive
movement. |-.ift d. q.
In a word, every faction is actuated by
the common hope of breaking down the one
power which opposes them ALL They have
united upon William Sprague simply be-
cause they must unite upon somebody, and
bis peculiar past experience gives him hold
upon the sympathies of the people and thus
brings him to the front. Sprague himself
does not represent and never has repre-
sented the principles Of any one of the fac
tlons. He was once a creature of the ring
1t is desired to wreck and as faeile as any
one in using its Objectionable methods.
Numerous instances of his injustice to cred
itors and oppression of poor people can be
adduced. He never favored any constitu-
tional change with reference to the suffrage.
Of course he has placed himself on all these
platforms since his recent prominence, but
that does not signify any substantial reason
| for his nomination. Yet he has now been
nominated by both Democrats and Equal
Rights men, and there has fairly begun one
of the most exciting political campaigns that
| Rhode Island has ever seen.
What the outcome of 1t all will be it is
difficult to say. A careful estimate of the
Sprague opposition is said to have made
them confident of 800 or 1900 majority.
But in their estimate they include many
who have always voted the straight Republi-
can ticket, but who have been heard to say
that they are inclining away from the old
fold this year. The Goddards, one of the
Oldest families of the State and possessing
millions, are reported to have said that Will
lam Sprague shall not be elected Governor
of Rhode Island. 1t is pretty certain that If
money can defeat him he will be defeated,
but SO great Is the disaffection among those
| who cannot be bought that the issue is at
| least doubtful. There are some Democrats,
| too, who do not like Sprague as their candi-
| date, and it is announced today that they
/ will put straight Democratic ticket in the
field. But this ticket can have but a very
n
at the present moment, however, does not
give much confidence that the revolution
will succeed this year, but the result on
| election day april A. may prove the con-
trary. 1t is noteworthy that none save those
whose wishes father their thoughts venture
to make predictions. The cool heads are
quiet.
The result will not be decided at all on
the merits of candidates, for on that point
there can be no question. State Senator
Bourn, the regular candidate, is large
manufacturer, popular gentleman, a man
Of good executive ability and of unimp Zach
able character. Sprague has little to recon
mend him, personally or politically. II he
| is elected, he will, of course, assume that he
| is hvindicated''; but such will not be the
purpose of the movement to any consider
able extent, though, of course, his personal
| friends are working factor in 1t.
The influence of Butlerism is to be added
to the contest. Indeed, many believe that
the doughty General is the inspiration of the
whole Sprague boom. If the Sprague
boom had been started In December last,
before the time for the registry Of voters
had past, 1t is conceded that Sprague's
election would now be practically certain,
for many who had tired of voting in the air
and scented no unusual bolt, neglected to
register and are now disfranchised, able
only to chafe at their folly and lend their
moral influence to the movement. Within
day or two statement has been made
which helps the sympathetic factor some
what. Zachariah Chafee, trustee of the
| Sprague property, who has grown fat with
wealth off his management and has perse-
cuted Sprague as best he knew how, an
nounces his willingness to contribute 5000
| to Republican campaign expenses. This Is
| generally considered the acme Of cheek and
has made not lew votes for Sprague.