New-York tribune., 1892-03-27
RHODE ISLANDS BIG FOUR.
THE FACTION-RENT DEMOCRACY,
MAYOR HONEY AND HIS RIvALS-A CAMPAIGN
FUND WHICH Is NOT EVENLY DIVIDED
-REPUBLcAN PROSPECTS - Mr..
CLEvELAND'S INTERVENTION.

-REPUBLICAN PROSPECTS - Mr..
CLEvELAND's INTERVENTION.
trRomA srArr CORRESPONDENT OF THE rRIBUNE1
Providence, r. l., March 26.-Rhode Island Dem
ocracy cannot be understood until the relations
of it's Big Four are explained. The kings, or
rather the knaves, Of the pack, are two mayors
and two rival bosses. They may be sorted as pairs
of the same color Mayor Honey, Of Newport, ana
Boss McNally, of Providence, belong together, and
this year. at least, paired of as the right ana
left bowers of the Cleveland suit Mayor Car
roll, of Pawtucket and Boss Brennan, of Provi-
dence, natural allies, and under ordinary cir.
cumstances could be counted upon as supporters OF
Senator Hill. General Brennan has made no Sc
cret Of his lack of sympathy with the Cleveland
canvass. Mayor Carroll has been more reticent
than his colleague, but admiration for MIR. Cleve-
land is an affection which ill comports with his
general reputation. Brennan and McNally are
political rivals for the control of the Democratic
organization Each hates the other because each
stands by his friends and not infrequently knifes
his enemies. Each has a sympathetic feeling for
Mayor Carroll, of Pawtucket, a shrewd wire
puler who is content with his local prestige, and
does not aspire to manage the State organization.
Both are amazed by the eifrontery Of an inexpe-
rehccd and ambitious leader like Mayor Honey
of Newport, in assuming political ascendancy in
General Brennan was outspoken against commit
ting the delegation to the National Convention,
but this policy was adopted mainly through the
influence of Mayor Honey and the McNally fac
ton. AS soon as the canvass was opened the Prov.
idence leaders and their ally in Pawtucket began
to suspect that their colleague in Newport was in
secret communication wihD Democratc capitalists In
New-York The mysterious enterprise Of " The New
York World in flooding the State with campaign
editions and the subsequent aAnouncement OF
THE New-York Sum that $4,000 had been
raised among Mr.. Cleveland's friends the first
instalment of fund for carrying Rhode Island
opened the eyes of at least three Of the Demo-
cratic bosses. If any large amount of money
was to be thrown into tho State by the New
York syndicate, each wanted to have an equal
share in dispensing it.. Apparently Mayor Honey
had got ahead of the other three, had induced
them to help in playing his game by committing
the State delegation to Mr.. Cleveland. and was
receiving the earliest rcmittances from New-fork
for distribution among his political cronies. Mayor
Honey endeavored to divert their attention ana
TO disarm their suspicious by denying the ac-
curacy of "The Suns revelation and by issuing
a begging appeal for subscriptions in small sums.
Mayor Carroll and General Brennan are not satis-
fed with the Newport Mayors explanations. They
strangly suspect that Mayor Honey has received
termined to use it in securing the election Of his
own friends and in promoting his own political
ambition. General Brennan and his friends have
been greatly embittered by the nomination Of Nc
Nally for the General Assembly, and have cried
aloud in the columns Of The Telegram for re-
taliation and vengeance upon him. When the
Brennan faction are warned that the second in-
stament Of the New-Yori campaign fund may
be sent by Mayor Honey to the McNally group
and used against themselves, their excitement
is uncomfortable.
This brief outline Of the faction jealouses pre-
vailing among the Rhode Island Democrats ex-
cudes consideration Of understudies for political
managers like Congressman Page, Augustus Miller
and Isaac Hahn II the Legislature were to be
carried by the Democrats with the aid of New
York subscription fund controlled by Mayor
Honey Congressman Page would have
formidable rival for the nomination for
the United States Senate. Mr.. Miller is
in sympathy with General Brennan, and fumin8
in secret over his own abasement and the ingrati-
tude Of the Democracy. Colonel Hahn, who has
not received coveted nomination, is not only
sulking in his tent, but even rallying Hebrew
voters in open revolt against the Democratic State
and Legislative tickets The party is rent win
feuds factions and disensions If the intimations
Of The NewYork SUM- are unerring and the
Mr. Cleveland be increased to 100000 and dis
tributed on even terms harmony may be restored.
II the funds collected outside the State are usco
as at present TO promote the ascendahcy OF ohe
Honey and McNally factions, Democratic defeat
is assured in advance OF the election. What Re
nublicaus cannot now forecast is the amount OF
money which will he flung into this State next
week by New-York capitalists in the interest OF
Mr. Cleveland's nomination large Democriric
ot,I 40
Doodle may unite the factions anu "enaoe 'N' i's
publicans with defeat
On the Republican side there is harmony and
nothing else since the nomination papers were
filed several changes and Withdrawals have been
effcoicd by which the Republican chances OK
carving the Legislature have been improved. In
Exeter. where there serious divisions, united
action has been secured. In Bristol, one OF thc
opposing candidates has withdrawn and Repuo.
licon success is assured In Scituatc, where there
were two Republican candidates for the Assembly,.
one has resigned In West Greenwich. Prohi-
bition candidate has Withdrawn and hcilitated
the election of a Republican There is only one
town in the State where there are two Republican
tickets for The General Assembly. This is MIDI
dletown. where the Republican majority is so largo
that n Democrat cannot he elected. Prohibition
On rdidatcs for the Legislature have been nont-
mated for Providence and nearly all the towns
of the State There is not likely TO he any IN
crease OF the Prohibition vote this year, but IN
closely contested districts il will be strong enough
TO involve second elections where maiorities arc
lacking the first time. The election OF n de-
publican Legislature is confidently expected as
the result of the vigorous srsaSng canvass TO DO
conducted during the next ten days This Will
be a great victory since il will secure the ne
election Of Senator Aldrch but il will not suffice
TO determine the trend of the Presidential year.
The election Of the Republican State ticket py
majority OF the popular vote is the result whicn
tho Marty leaders are now hoping 10 accomplish By
united effort.
Senator Aldrich told me this morning that no
so,t extremely confident OF success. The canvass
is receiving his personal direction, and Is In ex.
cellent condition. lie predicted the election OF
III Oh, 7 LEGISLATURE and the State officers by tho