The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-16
CRANSTON.
THE POLITICAL SITUATION.

Cranston, X. l.. Feb. -.
To THE EDITOR OF The NEWS:
SIR-As your columns have been kindly
opened to discussion of Cranston Re-
publicans, and as our differences have
been brought into State prominence by
your recent editorial presume you will
extend sufficient space to set forth the
other side.
Senator Merrill for some years has been
a constantly rising figure In Cranston.
HIS fe low Republicans have crowned
him with all the honors they could be-
stow up to the past year never doubt
ing that their loyalty and support were
appreciated and would be reciprocated.
When he was renominated last April IL
was tacitly understood that this year he
should withdraw in Representative stan
ley's favor. He has repeatedly said II
was his intention to retire. When the
time came for him to allow an equally
able man ami meIitorious Republican TO
be promoted to the Senate he attempted
to block the way, repudiating all obliga-
tions to his former friends. As result
his ambition o'erleaped itself and lett
him sprawling on the other side, his SON
in-law appearing Saturday night at the
Democratic caucus presumably to solicit
the Democrats to assist the Senator in
mounting his boiling charger under the
inspiring banner "kule or Ruin.
MIR. Merrill showed before the Republic
Cuu caucus ultt iOydlty W tho lHity
by declaring bsfore anyone knew what
the result would be, that he should run
for the Senate, anyway. 1t has been
charged he tried to throw his former
friends last June In a deal with the DEM
ocrats. he failed then. He now comes
out in the open and heads revolt on the
Democratic ticket. IL any further proof
was required OF bis double dealing, this
last frantic effort TO retain power gives II.
de broke positive pledge to intro
duce q resu omission act for the city char
ter at the May session and during The re-
cent session the numerously signed petit
tions for the city charter have been kept
tuttoned up in his coat. On the present
district sgitation he has not had courage
to declare his position. This IS year
when Republicans should be united and
Mr.. Merrill shows his gratitude by
scramblng to retain his personal grip at
the party's expense.
1t might be well to mention few OF
Mr.. Merrills former friends. Frank l..
Field, Joseph l.. Saunders, Arthur Aus
tin. They are known as men of highest
personal integrity, moving in the best
business and social circles of the State as
well as the town. These MIR. Merrill has per-
mitted uring the past year to be pelted
with mud and abuse from sheet his
friends are known 20 control. Con-
picuous among Mr.. Merrill's present
friends is william Ross of Knightsville,
an -saloon:keeper. lie is Mr.. Merrill's
close personal adviser and friend, who
preteBds to influence the element around
the Cranston Print Works, a place no.
torious for its political reputation In the
Sprague days. The Edgewood men who
championed Mr.. Merrill in the Republi-
can caucus are Republicans and will
doubtless support the nominee who won
In a fair, square, open hight. None dis
putes that the caucus was honest and lib
eral in its treatment OF Mr.. Merrill.
The Republicans outside the State have
q right to demand solid Republican
delegation from Cranston, and they will
get 1t. 1t is our right, however, to say
what the personnel Of that delegation
shall be, and we offer no apologies for the
excellent ticket we have named. A fair
understanding OF the facts is all the
Cranston Republicans ask to secure, a
vindication from every fair minded ma I
that is interested. Mr.. Merrill has
blundered In mixing purely town
quarrel on domestic matters between him
and another town official with state party
politics.
He is an excellent fellow in many re-
spects, and his former friends regret he
should have let his personal trouble with
his halter involve the upset of party disci-
pllne. IL his halter cannot get block
Of sufficient dimensions to fit the worthy
Senatory let him wrap his head in ice and
take down some o. the swelling, not
make such purely private affair Re-
publican quarrel
CRANsToN REPUBLICAN,.