Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1902-12-13
RHODE Island RESULTS
DISFRANCHlSING The VOTERS
CAUSED REPUBLICAN LOSS
MUST OWN LAND, SAND OR eRAv.
EL AMOUNTING TO SIPS.
DEMOCRATS ARE
HOPEFUL.

One OF the biggest surprises of the
recent election, as surprising to the
Democrats as II was humiliating to the
Republicans, was the great political
upheaval in Rhode Island, says the
Washington Times. II is especially
unfortunate for the Republicans be-
cause Of the fact that Senator Aldrichs
seat in the Senate Is placed in jeopar-
dy. The fight did not attract much at
tention outside the boundaries of the
State, the Democrats believing them
selves doomed TO defeat and the Re-
pubicans confidently holding to the
opinion that nothing could happen
which would cause them to lose con-
troll of the State.
! When the votes were counted, how
ever, they showed that the Democratic
candidates for governor and lieutenant
governor had been elected, and II is
probable that the official count will
show the Democratic candidate for at,
torney general successful Besides, the
Democrats elected to Congress from
the First District Mayor d. l.. d. Gran
ger. of Providence, and only lost the
Second district by narrow margin.
The Legislature is still Republican on
Joint ballot, but should the Democrats
make many gains two years hence.
when a successor to Senator Aldrich
is to be chosen, II will seriously en-
danger. II not entirely eliminate, his
chances for reelection.
| Two years ago Senator Wetmore was
reelected unanimously by the joint as
sembly. but this year less than fifty
ballots In the city of Woonsocket will
determine which party will control the
assembly, although the Senate Is still
strongly Republican. Two years hence
the Republicans will be obliged to
make strong fight for control of the
Legislature. Four OF the 1--WE cities OF
the State are now in the hands Of the
Democrats. with Democratic members
of the Legislature, and the Republicans
can only win by retaining the country
districts. ~
Two years ago Governor Kimball,
Republican, was elected by more than
5000 majority. Last Tuesday he was
defeated by DR. Garvin, Democrat.
whose majority is more than 1000.
Two years ago Representative BuE
was elected to Congress by a majority
of 71O5 and this year he is defeated by
Mayor Grange by more than 1000 votes.
Representative Capron two years ago
had more than 5000 majority. and this
year he won by less than 500 votes
The Democratic managers had no
thought OF winning in Rhode Island.
and hence gave no attention to the
contest for Congress. Had they done
SO the Democrats would doubtless have
elected both members to the Fifty
eighth House.
Representative Bull, as one of the
prominent members OF the Committee
on Naval Affairs, has been instrument
tai in obtaining large appropriations
neither this fact or his personal popu-
larity saved the day for him.
Local conditions are said to be large
ly responsible for the result. Rhode
Island manufacturers demand revi-
sion OF the tariff which will give them
free raw material Besides, a peculiar
condition exists in the State in respect
TO the suffrage laws which denies the
privilege of voting to all foreign-b born
citizens who do not own land, sand
or gravel TO the value OF S125."
This law debars thousands OF mill
operatives from the right Of franchise,
and has heretofore kept. the State in /
the Republican column. DR.. Garvin, |
the Democratic governor-elect, has
been fighting this law for many years,
and II II is finally removed and the
electorate is increased by those here
tofore disfranchised lis said to bode
no good for the Republicans, who have
for years kept the law on the statute !
books. Many of the operatives are En- |
glish and of English descent, but own
ing no real estate are denied the right /
to vote, aud there is just now a great +,
uprising against the law.