The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-18
A CONTRAST AND ITS SIGNIFICANCE.

There is significance in the contrast between
the manly, straightforward and courageous exposi-
tion OF the dominant issues in this campaign made
to the vast throng of the states best citizenship
that crowded Infantry hall to the doors the
sion of the Democratic ratification meeting, and that
made 1t ring with approving cheers and the puerile
almost craven, evasion of a discussion of those
issues by the men who last night spoke from the
same platform to gathering not large enough to
fill than three-quarters of the seats, and that
could be moved only at infrequent intervals to give
even perfunctory applause.
In that contrast there is presented presage of
victory for the forces of civic righteousness and
decency and portent of disaster for the deuded,
the selfseeking and the venal who still stand by
Braytonism because Braytonism stands by them.
Who are the men who occupied the platform
presumably to give distinction and character to
the gatherings Are not majority Of them men
who have been put into Office and kept in office by
Braytonism? Are they not the men who take their
orders from the boss in the sherifs office; the men
who at Braytonisms command despo the people
of the right of home rule plunder them of perpetual
franchises, pass laws for the benefit of rapacious
corporations and defeat legislation demanded by
the people foS the protection of their rights and the
promotion of their interests?
And what were the tenor and purpose of the
addresses which last nights assemblage listened?
Were they not and all cunningly designed, by
extolling the lofty character and splendid achieve
ments of Lincoln, Grant, Sherman and Roosevelt
to distract attention from the shameless outrages
and brazen iniquites of Braytonism?
Let any open-minded citizen read the speeches
delivered at the Republican ratification meeting,
and he can come to no other conclusion than that
their chief characteristics are cowardly evasion and
deliberate deceit.
If Governor Utter did give some attention to
the real issue, that attention wrung from him
during attempt to free himself from the charge
that he is the candidate of Braytonism and such
deserving repudiaton at the polls by every
decent citizen hostile to Braytonism.
But his attempted refutation no refutation
at all. Indeed, it will be regarded as amounting to
confession of the truth of the charge itself by
any intelligent citizen who reads it and who is
acquainted with the recent political history of the
state.
What does Governor Utter say? II stand here
to defend nothing that is known in the state of
Rhode Island as bossism." Does it answer the
charge that he is Braytonisms candidate to declare
that he does not defend Braytonism?
What the people want to know is not that
Governor Utter doesn't openly defend Braytonism.
but whether or not he has the courage to openly
denounce Braytonsm. No platitudinous pleas of
independence OF boss rule will satisfy them Gov
ernor Utter was challenged fairly and squarely 20
denounce Braytonism, if he dared, but he dare not
do it.
Instead he feebly reiterates his old assertion
OF independence and fatuously believes the public
will accept IT atits face value BUTT will do nothing
OF the sort. Until George II. Utter declares as dis
tnctly, as unequivocally and as fearessly as has
his Democratic opponent his hostility TO Brayton-
ism, and pledges himself 70 use all the power of
the executive Office to drive Braytonism from the
state house the people of this state will regard him
the candidate OF Braytonsm and 10 willing to be
returned TO Office by Braytonism's debauchery Of
the -eleetefate,=----
Governor Utter puts low estimate on the
intelligence Of the people Of Rhode Island If he
believes he can convince them that man nomi-
mated by Braytonism. and who expects Brayton-
ism 70 air i'm N II