The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-04-09

cuts so big a figure in national politics
The fact that her vote In the convention is
inconsiderable has not initiated against
her opportunities SO much as has the fact
OF her geographical position. As to
men-well, Rhode Island has been repre-
sented by men OF extraordinary eminence
and measure of influence in the national
councils, men of cabinet caliber, even of
Presidential caliper. The rank CT our
senior Senator TO-DAY is and has been recog.
nized with that OF national leaders, like
BLAINE, like REED, like MCKINLEY, like
ALLISON. For many years the leader OF
the Republican party in the United States
Senate through all the battles for Repub-
lican principles, recognized as q highes
authority on tariff matters, ALoRIcH
OF Rhode Island has had, and has. SEMI
ority in party councils and administration
councils. lie has in the past been mention
ed for the Presidency as well as the Vice
presidency. We guess no man In the
Republican party would be acknowledged
as better qualified for the highest Office
in the gift of the people than is Senator
ALDRIcH.
We mention ALDRIcH in this connec-
tion because he is an example of how
serious Is the handicap to fame of the
geographical qualification. That our
senior Senator has achieved his eminence
despite the fact that he comes from
State of inconsiderable voting
Importance and so safely Republican as
to need no distinction at the hands of the
party to keep 1t in line is immensely to
his credit. He has honored the State
that honored him. He is leader of the
party, statesman respected and admired
by a. large proportion of the sixty million
persons whom ho represents as Senator
in Congress. Cabinet portfolios, we be-
lieve, have been offered him, may yet
be offered him. But for the high Offices
that come before the electorate of the
nation he has been, unfortunately. "geo-
graphical impossibility."
Today, however, Rhode Island APP
pears to be In fair way to overcome the
disqualification OF geography, as it affects
the political opportunities of our leading
men in politics. The national Republi-
can party appears to be making eyes to-
ward this fenced-off little corner of the
planet. At the Republican league con-
vention last fall, when several good fell
lows with brass band accomplishments to
their booms, appeared for the avowed
purpose of getting themselves "men-
toned" for the presidency before the
national convention OF 96, the name OF
Ex-Governor ID. RUSSELL Brown of Rhode
Island, I'm connection with that nomina-
tion, was quietly whispered about the
hall and hotel corridors until 1t achieved
the fiattering distinction OF becoming
"BRowN OF Rhode Island" and before
the League adjourned thero was a spon-
taneous and pretty universal boom afloat
for BROWN of Rhode Island for the Re-
publican candidacy OF vice-president. SO
was this boom, as now ap-
pears, that it has been kept afloat this
spring by many "mentions" all over the
country, some OF which we have had the
pleasure in quoting as complimentary
bits to Rhode Islander that mus. be
gratifying to Rhode Islanders of all
shades OF politics. Lately, too, Governor
EIpprrT has been "mentioned" in the
same connection, The LIpPTTT boom
seems to have started in New York, and
was quite as spontaneous and unlocked
for as that of BROWN at Cleveland last
summer. The people of Rhode Island will
be disposed at this time to make no
choice between LIPPITr boom and a
BROWN boom. 1t is enough satisfaction
to know that Rhode Island is being
looked to in connection with the Vice.
We may plume ourselves on
that and let a dozen Rhode Islanders, as
well as BROWN or LIpPrT, enter the lists,
IL so many ere disposed to ii. Tomorrow
the State convention for the election OF
delegates to the national convention will
assemble. II would appear to be fit and
proper thing II the convention should
recognize the fact that the national party
is looking this way for its candidate for
the vice-presidency. Never mind who
are the candidates. Their interests may
be analysed and cared for later. They
will ell be Rhode Islanders.
Why shouldn't we wboop Il up for this