West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1903-06-04
POLITICAL CORRUPTION,
How 1t Has Run Riot In Rhode
Island.
UPRISING OF TIE DEMooRAoH


Evcrywhere.
Rhode Island has been governeds by
tho Republicans for many decades un.
I'll this year, when Democratic gov.
ernor has been inaugurated. the icgis,
laturc being stili Republican. How the
revolution that elected Governor Lu.
cius Il. @. Garvin was brought about
is the most encouraging political event
that has occurred for years. II shows
that the great mass OF the people arc
Democrats Mt heart and ready and
willing TO discard political rings if they
have honest leaders. Governor Garviu
is possessed OF the two Jefrcrsonlan
qualities--he IL honest and capable
and reform with him Is no gaudy cloak
TO hide other shortcomings or donned
Just previous TO election. He has been
for years preaching and prncticing tho
good old doctrine OF equal rights to all
and special privileges To none and do
nouncing corruption wherever found.
The Republican voters OF Rhode Is-
land have been 10 welded TO party that
they have overlooked the rascalitles
that have perpctuated tho rule OF the
bosses and the rotten system they have
developed. Open and unblushing pur.
chnse of voters has become a regular
and open adjunct OF numerous poIlind
places Mt every election.
The boss Of this rotten borough OF
Rhode Island is ono Brnyton, who 80
dominates the legislature that all who
want laws passed or repealed must
'see" him before the Republican mem.
bcrs dare move In the matter. IL II
not difficult 10 imagine where the mon
ey comes from 20 bribe the electorate,
as there are always corporations ask
Ing for special favors. But back of the
boss that attends TO tho details of this
nefarious business Is another and
greater boss who dictates tho political
movements OF the lesser boss and "a
much moro dangerous. Nelson w. Al.
drich. who for twenty years has been
one OF the principal bosses OF the United
States senate. is tho real political dicta-
tor OF RhodeIsland. He IL equally guilty
OF the vote buying In Rhode Island
with Brayton, being recipient OF the
stolen goods In tho form OF senate
rial toga. IL is notorious that every
six years, when Aldrich is n candidate
for reelection, money flows like water,
and the price paid for votes advances
according TO the strength of the oppo-
sition. Aldrich IL father-in-law TO a
Rockefeller. and the trust interests In
the United States senate are protected
by him In the Same way that the state
senators I'm the Rhode Island legIsla.
turo protect the corporations that Bray
ton fathers.
Governor Garyin does not mince mat
ters I'm his special message TO the lcgls.
lature concerning bribery, for he said,
I'm n considerable number of our
towns bribery Is 80 common and has
existed for so many years that the aw-
full nature OF the crime has ceased to
impress" Nor Is he the only great
Democratic leader I'm Rhode Island
who is outspoken against this iniqui-
tous state Of affairs. Hon. Daniel Il.
ID. Granger. the congressman elect OF
tho First district, who is actively in
the fight with tho governor to reform
these abuses, is also active In the good
work. All honor TO Governor Garvin
and Congressman Granger for speak
ing 80 plainly and making this stand
against this evil. Nearly every gov
ernor OF those states that are fighting
ground between the parties could tell
the same tale to some extent, for the
evil is not confined to Rhode Island;
but no Republican governor or con.
gressman has had the honesty TO ex.
pose II.
The uprising I'm Rhode Island last
fall that elected a Democratic govern
or and congressman is a sign that a
majority OF tho voters of that state afe
determined to overthrow the corrupt
ring and redeem their state from the
disgrace that the Republicans have
brought upon II. Next fall Governor
Garvin will again be before the people
for reelection and that election Will be
the crucial test of tho honesty OF tho
voters. for the Republicans, with loads
OF Doodle furnished by the trusts and
corporations, Will make q desperate
struggle 70 displacc the honest man
with tool OF the bosses with q fair
vote, without the use OF money, OK
cept for legitimate expenses, Rhode Is
land and all the close states would un-
doubtedly go Democratic with leaders
like Governor Garvin and Congress.
man Granger TO force the fighting.
Democrats everywhere should organize
bnd stand shoulder TO shoulder for
clean government and hold up the
hands OF honest leaders. Honest Re
publicans who are sick Of seeing their
party debauched will doubtless ba
found willing TO Join in staying this
era Of trust and corporate corruption.
spasmodic efforts will not accom-.
plish reforms. IL requires the unre-
lcnting and continuous work OF all
good cltizens. for it must be always re-
membered that eternal vigilance is
the price OF liberty"
Turn the rascaIs out.