The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1897-11-01
Hendricks Strength Grow
Ing TO the Last Hour.
WHEEL MEN OUT FOR HIM.
Independents Unite with Repub-
llcanS in His Favor.
ABOUT CONTESTS IN THE WARDS,

The quietest campaign that munic icipal
politics have known for yenrs is closed.
and there is nothing more to do but mark
the ballots.
That the days since the party nomina-
tions have seen DEVELOPMENT steady, IL
not vociferous. in favor of John T.. Ken
drick Tor Mayor, is plainly evident. 1t is
not belle we'd that any inroads have been
made in the solid Democracy since the
democracy is pledged TO give Candidate
Baker as full partisan vote as the cam
palgn managers can bring out But that
II has resulted in a feeling of party 10y
atty in the Republican ranks. determin-
alton to meet the solid Democracy with
an equally solid Republican vote is
evident. Party spirit is as determined to-
the result, it is believed, will be a far
larger vote than the quietness of the
campaign would seem 10 argue.
Moreover, the independent Republican
vote is almost entirely to go TO kendrick,
according 90 the outlook. This vote has
never been a moro uncertain factor up TO
the past few days than IL was in this cam
palgu. MIR. Bakers candidacy has com
mended itself because OF high personal
character of the candidate. exactly as has
Mr. hcndrick s and the independents have
evidently, up TO within n few days. halted
between the two, perhaps waiting some
sign from the recognized leaders of nom
partisanshir. That sgn!has not b,en given.
By puerile trick the Municipal League
endorsements was stecred TO Mr.. Baker, 90
members OF that organization controlling
meeting which declared in favor of the
Democratic candidate. But the trick has
deieafed the purpose OF the ringlsaders
and its nbsurdity has been exposed, while
the assumption of the 20 Muleaguers
threatens TO disrupt that organization and
a number of its me st RESPONSE ble mem
bers have already resigned.
Mr.. Bakers good government nomlna-
tion which will appear on the ballots has
also been shown to be most farcical
thing, stoddy Imitation of real good
government and independent movement.
carrying no weight at all, aud amount
Ing TO nothing more than securing "A good
government title for Mr. Baker on the
ballot, title that cannot he substanti-
ated. AS The News pointed out the
other day, of the 40 signers of the So
called good government petition in be-
half of MIR. Bakers candidacy, 1877 are
straight out and out Democrats, only 81
have any claim to be independent Repub-
licans, two are Don-vo oters, and the list liz
thus very largely but duplicate of
Democracy as expressed in the Democra-
tic convention to which Mr.. Baker owes
his original nomination. There is no
health in it.
The News has n copy Of this so-called
good government nomination petition,
and has identified every signature on il.
From the fount of good government in
Ward One only five signers were secured.
Ward Seven, the Republican stronghold
1iun Z contribute n signature The bulk
Of the signatures cams from Ward Six.
The whole thing is an absurd mockery as
representing any independent sentiment
in favor OF the Democratic candidate.
The independents have come to recog-
nize that they will commit no violation
of their partisan faith by voting for
Col. Kcndrick. Indeed, il is clear that
vote for any OF the other candidates would
not be at all in accord with their prin-
ciples OF supporting the candidate most
fit for tho office With the two leading
candidates most respected citizens il has
bsen made plain that Mr.. kendrick alone
has all the business qualifications for the
Office and represents the principle of
promotion for experience and efficient
service thht -partlsansbip stands for
and maintains, irrespective of political
afliliation. Mr.. keDdriok has already
given the municipality eight years Of
efficient service that has been identified
with nearly every department of the
municipal administration. lie has for
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