New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-10-20
THAT'S THE NATTER NTH RHODE IS
I4ND2

Can it be that one-half Of the American Union
does not know how the other half lives? Or to
speak more precisely, is it possible although the
Democratic party has been in power only four
gears and The Providence Journal has been
Of the mos, devoted of Democratic organs during
still shorter PERIOD that nevertheless to-day finds
the State OF Rhode Island wondering how she's
going to get through the winter? One is moved
to make this inquiry in regard TO the current con-
diton of Little Rhody on reading the report OF
speech recently made by Senator Butler, of South
Carolina. The Charleston News and Courier
quotes him as remarlling: There is not in Rhode
Island enough food on the ground to supply an en-
ergetic flock of crows for a week"
Now. when we consider how little food il takes
to keep flock Of crows in good condition for
week. we painfully realize that Rhode Island-in
case Senator Butler is not mstalSen-has we'll nigh
reached the starvation point. The wolf has adj
vanced further than her door he is on top of her
dining-room table. Not enough provender to keep
a few wretched crows alive for a few days-and
yet this is Rhode Island, whose proud boast it is
that she was one of the thirteen original States
1t is inst as we'll that Roger Williams is dead Had
he been spared TO see this day he would certainly
weep his eyes ont with grief and modification
provided of course he regarded Senator Butler, of
South Carolina, as a trustworthy witness 1t is
obviously discouragng TO settle a State as Mr..
Williams settled Rhode Island in ! Chg, only to dis
cover in the fall of that it's supply of food on
the ground is inadequate 10 meet the wants OF its
crows, 10 say nothing of its citizens and their fam
lies. What could have caused this great change
in the fortunes of Rhode Island a? II used 10 be
that the hum Of her mills and factories was heard
around the world" Providence was reputed 10 be
the richest city of her size in the country. II was
the boast OF Newport that she was the consummate
flower of American watering places Brown Uni
versity stood in the first rank of American col
eges The Rhode Island clam-balSe was recognized
as one OF the most successful OF American institu-
tions Everybody in the State had plenty TO eat
and most Of them had enough and to spare So it
was only few short years ago. SO we believe it is
to-day But now Democratic United States Sena-
tor rises 10 remark that there is not in Rhode
Island enough food on the ground TO supply an
energetic flock Of crows for week.
1t is 10 be expected that The Providence Jour
nalT DEM will give this matter its prompt atten-
ton II is firm conviction that Senator Butler
uttered q naked libel ar the expense Of Rhode
Island. Your typical Southerner always did enjoy
a fling nj New-England. John Randolph once said,
by way OF attestng his loyalty TO the cotton
States, that he would go mile out OF his way to
kick sheep Butler may be lilSe-minded. AT
all events let the investigation be made And If
out that the Senator is correct il will be in
order 10 inquire who is responsible for the gloom
that rests upon so much of the future of Rhode
Island as relates T. I'D on the ground. The
Rhode Island Democratic Committee will hardly
feel like inviting Butler to come to their State and
speak during the campaign, although he said
nothing in the speech in question TO indicate that
he laid the blame either on Cleveland with his free
trade notions or " The Providence Journal Dem.