The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-28
HIS EXCELLENCY GOV. BROWN.


chief executive of the State of Rhod
Island.
J or the 25 gentlemen who have occu
pied the gubernatorial chair under tn
Constitution. Governor Brown is one o
eight who have served for three terms
one only, Governor PADELFoRD, havinl
exceeded that length of service b,
one term. Governor Browns ad
ministration has seen. and
has had its influence, in the transi
tion OF political conditions that dis
tinguished the period from '92 to '9i.
lie has seen the Democratic party, that
was supreme in the nation and that
made things mighty hot for his immedi-
ate Republican predecessors IN Rhode
Island, utterly routed and discomffited
with every prospect that it has retired
to the impenetrable shadow that kept
1t under cover for many years following
the war period. The transition is
marked in the Governors own election
figures, which developed from plurality
OF 2OOO in 1892 to $500 in 1894, and the
evidence Of which was clinched by the
practical disappearance OF the Demo-
cratic organization at the election of his
successor, last April.
Governor Brown has devoted himself
to bis official duties with an energy and
thoroughness that can only be- fully
appreciated by those who have been
brought in contact with him in public
lie. We remem Der how he surprised
his friends at his first Inauguration by
refusing the book offered TO him by the
clerk and repeating from memory the
oath of Office. 1t was
small matter, but it indicated the
attention to trifling details and the per-
sistent application which was to
characterize his conduct during his term
OF office. To the State his time has been
wholly given, and when not attending
pubic meetings he has been found at his
Office ready to give thought to the re-
quest OF the humblest citizen. We guess
no one ever called upon him there but
was glad to have had the opportunity of
meeting him. So fully has he placed
himself at the service CT the
public that it seems as If he |
must have gone everywhere and met |
everybody during the past three years.
lie acted upon the principle that the
State is interested in anything that adds
TO the enjoyment and improvement of
lts citizens, and that it in no way
the dignity ofhhs office to in
dicate that interest by his presence at
social, religious, and philanthrophic
gatherings. He can claim the distinc-
ton of being the first Governor to intro
luce gubernatorial New Years recep-
ions in this State.
Events we'll calculated to remind him
hat he has been in the executive chair
nave crowded his three years of official
ife. Doubtless he will always recall
With pleasure the Columbian celebra-
ions where he represented the State
With ability and credit. But his long
administration has not been all
leasure. During the first two
ears vexatious political problems.
rising chiefly from the ascendency of
Honeyism" in the ranks of the opposi-
on, took q good deal of his attention. (
'e remember how the first May ses- t
on OF the Assembly that Governor t
RowN presided over was extended to d
10 end Of June by the investigation of il
le Newport election, which revealed v
70 Democratic boss as ballot burner. a
ID led to his being deprived of the c,
at which he claimed in the House u
Representatives. That same ses la
On saw the creation of commission to ei
wise the wards of Newport. Later in 81
year the then Mayor of Newport re- d,
sed to recognize the ward revision. 81
q In order that the citizens might not t.
deprived of their right to vote in the
inicipal, congressional, and presi-
ntial elections, Governor BROWN was
in a special session of the q,
neral Assembly, to consider the ia
alter.
Then, from the election OF 1893, came 70
Democratic conspiracy to steal the
'te government, conspiracy that was no
defeated by the courage ne
determination of the Governor and or
Republican leaderswho rallied around III
n. The fact that he dared to exercise oo
hitherto unused constitutional power ba
! prorogue the General Assembly will tb,
itself give him place of prominence ba
ong those who have occupied the exc lea
i've chair. Throughout the trying Bu
nths that followed, until his extra pe
inary course had won the magnificent IN,
iorsement of the people by his re-elec- ha,
by the tremendous plurality of mo-,
0, Governor Brown conducted him. ba,
with dignity and equanimity. al en-,
ugh assailed on every hand by the o0i