The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-03-07

Just what are the causes OF the quarrels
that have In recent months disturbed
Cians:on Republicans the outside public
might find some difficulty in determin-
ing. We guess there must be good many
wheels within a good many other wheels
In the Republican ranks out there, and
when they all get to whirring together
good deal of noise is made and sometimes
the pieces fly. One thing is very plain,
and that Is: the controver les, from what
ever their cause, have not infrequently
resulted ia the rejection of able men and
apparently desirable measures in Republi-
can conferences and such a shaking up OF
the party that Republican defeat has been
threatened or actually b en- accomplished,
despite the normally overwhelming Re-
publican majority in the town.
We have before taken occasion to note
what appears TO be very marked spirit
OF antagonism among the Republicans of
Cranston TO some OF the men who are
most conspicuous as party leaders and
mcst influential in town politics. 1t is
always difficult to place blame in the re-
tponsibility for so unfortunate sit
uation, and very likely both sides in con-
fiict must share the blame. But at all events
the situation Is unfortunate for the party
as a whole and especially is this a serious
matter when the local quarrel is carried
into state politics. Yesterday, for in
stance, in Republican caucus in Grams
ton for the nomiIation of Assemblymen
we find some OF the n ost prominent party
leaders organized TO ccfeat for the party
nominee one of the most able lsgislato 3
that in our memory has represented the
fiourIsbing town at the State House for
many years. We note the same antagon-
ism TO the purposes of this leadership that
has been observed on several occasions
before within the past year or two, and
we have afforded us red hot fight which
is won by the old time leaders, ss IS
usual. Bat the victory appears TO root
antagonism to the party leaders several
inches deeper than before.
AS we have before taken occasion TO
observe, the circumstances would war
rant tie holdin OF the opinion by out
siders that something must be the matter
with the methods of the party leadership
in Cranston to have aroused SO large a
proportion OF the Republicans of the
town to antaognism. The Hon. SYLvEs-
TER X. MERRILL, for two years a Sena
tor from Cranston, has a record in the
Assembly and with Republicans and the
people generally throughout the State that
makes it a matter OF wonder that eau
Gus of his fellow Republicans should not
have given him IAN enthusiastic endorse
ment for a third term. He has certainly
served the State OF Rhode Island with
marked fidelity and ability and We had
always felt that the interests of the town
had been remarak bly, well taken care of In
his hands. lie was a leader in the move
ment that resulted In freeing the good
name of his town and of the State from
the horse gamblers during his first term,
and in all measures great, and small, he
seems 10 have been a EFT and energetic in
p-omoting measures for the public good.
We don't know what fault those Cranston
Republicans who were in the majority
in yesterdays caucus have to find with
Senator MERRILL, but his rejection may
well excite wonder and curiosity among
Republican generally throughout the
State who, we guess, may be disposed
to sympathize somewhat with any move
mept the Senator's Republican friends
may be disposed to take looking to his re-
turn to the Senate in opposition to the
caucus no inee.
Senator MERRILL has in the past given
evidence of having the courage Of his con-
victions, and II his convictions are to the
effect that outside that caucus the Repub-
licans OF Cranston have the faith in him
that his record commands, and that on
two elections has been expressed by
healthy majorities, he will be entitled to
repre-ent that sentiment in antaconism
to the party leadership that has broken
out In revolt on several occasions alrea y.