New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-03-28

STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF THE IhbUNS
Providence, March 26-Nothing is more re-
markable than the silence of The Providence
Journal" in regard to the issues of the state
election. The two parties are making hhoue
Island this week and the next the battle-ground
of National politics. On each side leaders Oh
National reputation will conduct the canvass, and
the main issues of the Presidential year Will DC
boldly and intelligently discussed. The great
journal which in Senator Anthony's day and under
Mr. DanelsonS management directed, controlled
and | may almost say, created, public opinion IN
Rhode Island now has nothing to say about the
most important election ever held IN the Httie
Commonwealth; for never before has the State
been armed with the supreme power OF lnnuehc-
ing the Nation on the eve OF Presldentlai eiec-
ton. For week / have carefully scanned lts
pages to perceive if there were any lntimatlons
whatever in regard to the citizens political duty
in this crisis but / have found nothing Deyoho
two or three superciious paragraphs to the eHect
that little is involved in the election except the
measuring Of the strength of the party managers
and intriguers, and that, as at present conducted
on both Sides Rhode Island politics is pretty small
potatoes. If National issues are small potatoes,
what are big potatoes? So far as the internal
evidence of its columns can be depehdeo
upon it shows that great journal which was
mighty power while Anthony and Danelson lived
is now utterly without influence in imparting force
and direction to political opinion
The Republicans are well satisfied this year
with the neutrality and silence of The Journal
During recent years it has been fercely assailing
them and openly aiding the Democracy. Ihls
year it has commended the Republican state
ticket in general terms, and has refralned from
criticising or attacking Senator Aldrich. In ltS
news columns-and it is good newspaper-it mas
given full and impartial accounts OF Repupiicah
mass-meetngs and in its editorial columns mas
maintained so rigid a silence as to provoke the
anger of the Democrats The Brennan organ OF
Democracy in this town has already displayed its
disappointment and resentment by referring to
THE Journals" cynical paragraphs as nasty
auips,' and forcibly remarking that if the es-
teemed contemporary "wcre published in any OF
the progressive Western cities it would not only
receive the contempt of the citizens but the prob
ability is that its presses would be dumped into
the most convenient river and its editors politely
invited TO move on" This outburst is a signiii-
can't admission that the Democratic cause Is not
receiving active aid aud support from The Provl-
dence Journal Its neutrality Injuries the Demo-
Gratis more than it does the Republicans, for the
reason that it has been supporting the former
and opposing the latter for several years. Luke
warm, negative support of the Democratic party
implies decline of interest in the fortunes OF
what il has advocated with fandtical zeal as the
sacred cause of tariff reform
While the course of The Journal has been
less hostile and more friendly, so far as the Re-
publicans are concerned than it has been for sew
eral years it is to be criticised as lacking IN
dignity. authority and power. When so important
an election is pending and National issues are
discussed by National leaders. neutrality implies
weakness When journal which has exercised
great influence in New-Engand during the last
generation cannot pull itself together and bring
its weight 10 bear on one side or the other, there
is a positive loss of power and prestige. When
the two National parties are defining their issues
and fighting the first battle Of the Presidential
year in Rhode Island, h is an ignoble journalism
that dismisses the contest with cynical contempt
as the measuring of strength between rival groups
of politicians, and lacks the courage 10
make it's influence felt with power and authority.
The Journal affects to regard Rhode Island
politics as pretty small potatoes" It's own kind
of journalism would have been regarded by Senator
Anthony and Mr.. Danielson as coming under the
same category.
The Journals embarrassment is caused by
the fact that it is committed TO the policy of free
wool, and sympathzes with Mr.. Clevelands cam
didaN while at the same time it condemns free
silver and is alarmed by the tendencies of Demo-
cratic faction rule in the State. Like the presi.
dent of Brown University, and a few other promi-
nent advocates of tariff revision on the lines OF
the Mills bll il has a secret hope that the spring
election in Rhode Island may promote in n general
way the success Of Mr.. Cleyeland's candidacy, and
hence is maintaining a cautious reserve and ari.
fetal neutrality in the contest. What it does
not perceive is the futility of revivng Mr.. Ccvc-
lands Presidential chances by victory in Rhode
Island from which Senator lIill Mr.. Carlisle, or
any Free Silver candidate would profit in the
Presidential canvass Mr.. Cleveland has been
killed off as q candidate by Senator Hill and the
Ncw-Yor< Democratic Convention. 1t is clearly
beyond the power of any admirers of his in Rhode
Island TO revive his Presidential aspirations by
their action in the April election. 4 Democratic
victory here next week will not secure the nom
nation of Mr.. Cleveland. That result has been
rendered impracticable by the action Of the Hill
Democrats of New-York 4 Democratic victory
here will increase the chances of Democratic suo'
cess in November throughout ohc country. ana
will carry with it the menace Of free silver legis-
lntion without reference to the platform of the
Rhode Island convention. This is tie practical
WAY of looking at the April election in this State.
But free trade wool gathering theorists are sci.
dom practical in their political methods.
Undoubtedly Mayor Honey. Mr.. McNally and
other practical politicians on that siue nave dohe
something TO identify Rhode Island Democracy
with Mr.. Ccyeand's cause. They wen greatly
in need of a campaign fund, and possibly calcu-
lated closely upon the chance of striking some
Ct Mr. CIcvelands New-York friends as The Sum
Of that town, has asserted that they have sue
cessfully done This was q cogcnt reason for over.
riding General Brcnnans objection 70 labelling
the delegates as though they were beer kegs. 1t
WAS convenient policy, moreover, to instruct
the delegates for Mr.. Cleveland and to appeal for
the support of The Journal and of the academic
theorists of College Hill For the same reason
there has been some harmless talk among Demo-
Gratis about making Or. Andrews, the president
of the University a candidate for United States
Senator if the Republicans are deprived OF a ma
jority in the next General Assembly. IL Is harm-
less because it does not commit the Democratic
caucus. controlled by Mayor Honey; and possibly