The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-03-30

There was large and enthusiastic
gathering of Republicans at the Eloise
last evening, and II was certainly. one
of the most successful affairs Of the
kind ever held in this city. The affair
was a meeting of the Republican city
committee of the city OF Providence
with the Republican supervisors ana
the party candidates for senator and
representatives from this city, and a
few others. making in all party OF
about $50 persons. Everybody wore an
air Of victory, and IL was very appar-
ent that every man present had an inn
plcit beliel in the success of the ke-
publican parry al the coming elec-
tion.
Prior TO the dinner hour there was
reception I'm the pariors, and the super
visors were presented 10 the candidates
for the Senate and House OF Represen-
tatives. Then 10 the stirring strains ot
the music OF Reeves orchestra the en-
tire party repaired TO the dining room.
where "a really elaborate ana most eN-
cellent dinner was served. At the head
table were seated Gen. Hunter C.Whlte
and the candidates OF the party, while
at the other tables were seated the
members OF the city committee and the
supervisors by wards.
Gen. Hunter G. White, chairman pro.
tenn. OF the Republican city committee,
called the meeting To order and said
that he wished 10 return his thanks
10 all present, and said that he was
sure that 4 the same amount OF work
that had been done so far was kept
up for the next few days the ticket
would be elected by the largest ma.
tority on record. He then referred 10
4 hn "a q
20 the recollection OF j. Edward stud
ley as senator and after deriding any
such absurd talk, he asked that three
rousing cheers be given for Col. stud
ley. and they were given with will.
Col studley said that he was very
pleased To hear the ringing cheers
with which the report that his head
was to be cut off had been circulated.
He had upon every occasion when peo-
pie came 10 him with these stories re-
piled that he felt convinced that the
entire Republican ticket would be elect
ed and he with IT, He then said that
there was no doubt that the Consti-
tutional League movement had failed,
and there is no question that this fail
ure was brought about by the fact
that the so-called issue is no issue.
and there lis certainly no general wish
for a constitutional convention upon
the part OF the people of Rhode Island
TT the people Of this state really want
ed a constitutional convention there
would be no need of any league to bring
II about for the Republican party
would see that such a convention was
brought about i'm a proper manner.
Col. Studley then told about. his first
vote. and. after speaking Of his home
Influences, which had all been DEM
ocratic, he went on to state that at
the time he became entitled to vote
there was a Republican rally In Music
Hall, which he attended. What inn
pressed him most was that the two
orators there seemed TO divine that
there was some one In the aL-uAe
was undecided. And one of the speak
ers said the Democratic party had been
on the wrong side of every public ques-
tion since the crusade against slavery.
IL was a party or blunders and. per
contra, the Republican party was the
party Of the people. IL was the party
for young men. The other said practi-
cally the same thing. "Those two
speakers convinced me-" said Col. Stud
ley. and l became o Republican. And,
gentlemen. these two men who spoke
that night were the Hon. Henry j.
Spooner and Col Daniel r.. Ballou."
Col. Studleys speech closed with
Representative Harry c. Curtis was
then introduced, and he spoke briefly,
but 20 the point. He said that Il seem
ed To him that the Democratic party i'm
the state had absolutely nothing 20 stand
on. for its only issue is that of n con-
stitutional convention, and this the Su-
preme Court has declared to be uncon-
stitutional. There is nothing about
free silver. free trade or Imperialism
but II is simply a platform built on
nothing. on the other hand the Re-
publican party has a platform which
endorses the administration of Presi-
dent Mckinley, and which advocates
the calling NJ constitutional conveu-
tion by constitutional methods. Mr.
Curtis then paid n high tribute TO tho
adm n'stration of Gov. Over and said ~
was the duty of the Renubicans 20 take
concerted action 10 bring about the Pc
election of Gov. DYER and all the other
candidates on the Republican ticket.
Representative Charles Dean KIM
ball was the next speaker and said that
il hard work, attention SO detail and
facilities for getting out the vote meant
success for the Republican party then
success was already assured. Mr.. Kim
ball then spoke OF the Constitutional
League and the arguments IL had re-
Gently made. and he said that the i'm
ability OF the supporters OF this move
ment TO manage any question OF pub
lie Importance is clearly shown by the
manner in which they are talking about
"a constitutional convention. The Su-
preme Court having decided that the
calling OF such n constitutional con-
vention is unconstitutional any attempt
to do so, as against the opinion Of the
court. would result I'm dlscord. II not
something worse. No matter whether
it Is good law or bad law. the fact re-
mains that the highest tribunal OF the
state has so declared
The people who are going about the
state saying that the draft OF the re-
vised constitution is a partisan meas
urc are making "a statement that ~
utterly false. for "A fair proportion Of
the fifteen gentlemen who prepared the
draft were OF the Democratic party
Further. the revised constitution re-
ceived more than majority OF the
votes OF the people OF the state last
fan. and this Is one Of the best o. req-
sons why II should BE- submitted 90 the