New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-05

for the spring election approaches the political
arena in Rhode Island assumes its usual animated
appearance. This year the struggle VIII be more
vigorous and exciting than for many years past
(. will be the first state election under the p'u-
-alty system. The Republican State Convention
mas been called for March l.. at Infantry Hail. ana
the campaign can be fairly considered as now open
During the last year deadlock has existed pe-
tween the two branches of the State Legislature
which. besides affording opportunity for sharp
parliamentary practice. has materially delayed ana
INSTRUCTED legislative business The difficulty arises
from the non-election Of Governor and state OIL
GERS by the people the last spring election under
the majority system then in vogue which by the
Constitution. places the selection upon the Legs
lature in Grand Committee.
Tho Democratic members OF this body. being
aware that only a small Republican majority would
exist in this committee. lay in ambush, ready TO
spring any measure which might reverse 'he sit-
nation At the MAY session held at Newport a
large Democratic majority In the House reinsed
seats to two Republican members who had been
legally elected, admitting in the place OF one OF
them a Democratic member, and declaring the
other seat vacant. This gave Democratic ma
iority Of one in Grand Committee. The member
admitted was from jamestown. the smallest town
in the State The Republicans clearly had a ma
jority The Democrats insisted that certain balo's
where the cross opposite the blank line shonid
have been counted for their candidate, ana acted
accordingly.
The customary invitation by tne fiouHt " 'He
Senate to meet IN Grand Committee for counting
ballots and for filing such offices as had not been
filed by the people declined. on the grouhu
that the House had fraudulently deprived members
of their seats, and it was therefore not legally
constituted.
After several frutless attempts the part of the
House to adjust matters without restoring the as
placed members, a small amount OF general pnsi-
ness being in the time transacted the "oN-
ernor still in authority proclaimed the LEGISLATURE
adjourned until the following January the usual
time of meeting The House, or perhaps more cor
rectly tho Democratic portion thereof refused 10
recognize the au. hority of the Governor 10 de-
clare an adjournment and continued to hoid ses-
sions at Newport weekly for some time after pu'
transacted 10 business.
In the mean time this body submitted TO the SUI
preme Court the question of ballot marking when
would Determine the legality of the election OF one
# the members removed. and also the question oil
the Constitutional right Of the Governor 10 anJourh
the Legislature until the two houses had met III
Grand Committee and performed their duties ny
counting ballots To both these questions the court
-eped adversely to the Democratic contention adu-
ing that the Court had no power to inquire into the
facts.
Here the question rested until the Legislature
again assembled in Providence. about month ago
the Governor holding over and performing the
duties of his office Hostilities were again renewed
designed TO secure a meeting in Grand Committee In
a caucus of Democratic members OF the House Z"
was proposed that. failing to receive an accep'ahce
If their invitation to meet as desired they drop III III
formally in the Senate chamber and exercise Une'i
'.riehts" This was given up chlmerical lhrcatS
~ arrest the Secretary of State made because
of his refusal deliver the ballots OF the last eec
ton to the House. Firally an appeal to congress
for an investigation discussed as means LOT
coercing the Senate but account of the bref time
to another election this scheme was abandoned
During these numerous attempts to establish a
Democratic government legislative business OF a
general character has received attention by po'h
bodies.
The Senate has done practically nothing except 10
pass the annual appropriation bill. The appearance
IN tho House of that bill approved by the Senate
furnished an opportunity for retaliation not 10 De
neglected: and at present 1t remains IN committee
notwithstanding intimations that the Governor may
adjourn the LEGISLATURE as before and place the
responsibility of an empty treasury upon the house
The situation altogether is complicated and vexa-
tous The parties thereto deem II good judgment
TO place the candidates as last year In nomha-
ton for the coming election. The third party has
already adopted this course. and indications are
strong that the others will do likewise
The Democrats evidently expect obtain many
votes by appealing to the sympathies Of the people
on the ground thai they have been cheated ON o.
the State offices through what they say mas neeh
the unconstitutional action OF the RepuDlcahs Bu'
under the circumstances 1t will be difficult Tor mem
to make out so strong case as to gain any voters
who would not have supported their ticket any
way. There is no great principle Involved tha' VIII
the people to rise in righteous indishauoh
The whole and substance Of the contest IS tha'
the Democrats attempted TO get possession OF the
State Government by a piece OF sharp practice ana
they failed because the Republicans simply refused 10
submit TO it. 1t is consequently extremely uhihe'!
that the Democrats. even If they should stump the
State on this issue could present TIER case in such
a clear and convincing manner as 20 carry cohVlc-
ton to any large number Of people.
A SENATOR TO BE CHOSEN.
The interest in the coming election Is intensified
by the fact that the next Legislature must elect
a Senator to succeed Nathan f. Dixon The hrs'
part of this week a committee Of the Republican
state Central Committee was apponteI TO wa''
upon Ex-Governor George Peabody Wetmore to pro
cure from him statement Of his poSi9 ,E ~ tng
Senatorial fight fight Pend WSn r'G R9 pe te We
known Providence lawyer began urging ms ca ho
seen;nsIy been growing brighter and It has been
limited that he would unaues'onaiTy f the
state Central Committee, the Special committee re-
ported as having performed Us duties anu or SUD
mjtted a letter of acceptance from the ex-governor
after the reading of which the committee adjourned
without transactng any further business Inc ic'-
ter OF acceptance 10 as follows:
Providence March /. 1894
TO Messrs Hollis NJ. Coombs, Melville Bull Eugene
sirs: TO the resolution adopted on February q by
aimed phe Words THAT it is in favor OF your cand
dacy for the United States Senatorshp II you VIII
yesterday on their behalf beg say in reply that
greatly appreciate the honor paid me by the Re
publican party of the State through It's representa-
lives the State Central Committee and also am
deeply sensible Of the dignity or the position or
United States Senator well as OF its responsible
ties chief among which this time Is the UNFOLDING
Of protective system. under which this country
has largely prospered for than generation. and
from the fact that on account Of the uncertainty
in regard to its continuance are now undergoing
a period OF unparalleled depression and suffering.
Believing from the expression Of your opinion that
there Is desire the part Of the people for my
candidacy, will. II elected by them, cordially ac
the position
vh much resnect / am very trllv vours
GEORGE PEABODY WETMORE.
Thus. Ex-Governor Wetmore becomes the official
candidate OF the State Central Committee. 1t Is
generally understood that the Ex-Governor gra-
c.ously withdrew from the Hght two years ago
when Senator Aldrich reelected. and the next
nomination tacly promised to him. 1t has
been considered all along that ne to be the
candidate. The leaders were anxious 10 hear from