The evening tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 189?-190?, 1897-04-08

The State election began in apathy and
ended in total indifference, as far as the
contest for State officers was concerned.
Gen. Elisha Dyer, the regular Repu Bill
can nominee for Governor, and the son OF
a former chief executive OF Rhode Island,
was elected by an overwhelming plurality
in light vote.
The returns from the Democratic coun-
try towns all showed that there had been a
stampede to the Republican ticket.
The Republicans wiped out the district
pluralities given to candidate Littlefield
last year, and Gen. Dyer was on top when
the votes were counted in almost every
election precinct in Providence.
There was extreme apathy all day long,
and it is probable that the total vote cast
in the State yesterday would have been far
less had their been no fight on reform
grounds in Providence, and no legislative
contests in half a dozen other places on
purely local issues.
1t was luckless day alike for Democrats
and Prohibitionists, and in half score OF
places where they entered into fusion ar
rangements the Republicans were signally
triuphant. The Republicans were victo-
rious in Westerly after the hottest fight
ever seen in the southwestern borough.
The battle was waged between big party
leaders on each side, but ex-United States
Senator Dixon and ex-Congressman Ar
mold proved themselves the superior in
political management to ex-Secretary of
State Utter.
In East Providence the Republicans de-
feated the Democratic and Prohibition
fusion on the town council ticket, and the
Republican legislative ticket went in hands
down.
In West Greenwich the Republicans
carried the town against Democrats and
Prohibitions, and elected Fiske Senator
and Rathbun as Representative. The town
is ordinarily carried by the Democrats, but
Gen. Dyer got the plurality there.
The silver contingent was pretty strong
there in the late presidential election, and
there was a well circulated report that
Capt. Church, the Democratic nominee
for Governor, was q strong gold man and
bolted Bryan In November. ~
Whenever this currency question could
be raised with effect the Republicans did
not hesitate to work 1t for all IL was
worth. 1t made them votes, no donbt; in
the democratic districts in this city, and
in some country towns like Gloucester
and Scituate, almost always Democratic,
the story worked like charm.
1t resulted in a plurality for Gen. Dyer
and the balance OF the Republican State
ticket that has never been equalled I'm this
State in an election other than for Presi-
dent.
The unheard. OF plurality which Gov.
Charles Warren Lippitt received last year
eclipsed. One of the biggest and most no
table fights over legislative tickets, outside
of Providence, was that at East Greenwich.
IL was contest of Democrats, Prohibit
tionists and independent Republicans
against Speaker Samuel w. X. Allen, who
has been the borough "bossY for quite a
long time.
Allen made the fight of his political life,
and he was elected by eight plurality, the
vote being Allen 274, Knowles 268, Spencer
&, scattering II.
The Republican candidate for Secretary
of State, Charles y. Bennett, who has held
the Office for several years, received the
largest plurality of any one on the party
ticket. He distanced the governor elect,
and ran away TO such enormous totals
that I'm instances II resemblcd unanimous
Endorsement by the people.
Capt. Church, the Democratic candidate
for Governor, carried his own town OF
Tverton, and the Endorsement at home
was a most gratifying one TO him. He also