The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-24
A JOKE ON THE STUMP.

Many years have passed since Rhode Islanders
ceased to take Congressman Capron seriously and
came to regard him standing joke. AS the
dsseminator of amusing stories and the passeron of
borrowed quips they have laughed with him.
When on infrequent occasions, he has attempted to
lay aside his cap and bells and garb of motley in
an endeavor to discuss important questions in dig
nhed manner, they have been forced to laugh at
him.
So adequately and effectively has Mr. Capron
acquitted himself in the signaly congenal role OF
political jester that the public refuses take him
seriously, even when he adopts the mien of seri-
business and the attitude of dignity. Whatever
favor he enjoys among his fellow citizens he has
achieved by exciting their risbles; never has he
succeeded in reaching their reason.
They would be much amazed should Adm
b. Capron attempt to bring his vapid mentality to
the thoughtful consideration of matters of grave
public concern, they would be if they discovered
a brindle COW trying to work out a problem
IN barycentric calculus
Adm B. Capron was the principal speaker at
the rally of the Ninth Ward Republican club last
night. He talked for full hour and quarter and
said-nothing. With the single exception of
reprehensible resort to rreverence his address
dreary waste of words and seemingly as purpose
less as it was obviously pointless
The only issue the Democracy has raised
says the joke candidate, is whether blind old man
shall be turned out of the state house. That state
ment gives the people of Rhode Island a pretty
it. They told they not seeking the estab-
lishment OF representative government; that they
not striving 10 root out rottenness and corrup-
ton; that they are not endeavorng to put end
to the domination of malign oligarchy. and that
they are attempting only to thrust from the state
house an old and harmless blind man.
Here we have signal instance OF the utter in
ability OF jester to comprehend and discuss serious
public affairs in a seemly manner Here we have a
striking example of the dismal failure that over
aL~ hent &c L,Qz
cry, when he tries to free himself from the antc
thoughts with which for life time his mind has
been busy.
And who is the blind old man." for sympathy
in whose behalf Mr.. Capron made his ludicrous
bid last night? Is he not the boss by virtue of
whose power and political spoliations Mr. Capron
today fills seat in the national congress? Is he
not the boss who has established his legislative
auction block and nailed up his flag in the Office of
the sheriff of Providence County?
Is he not the visible and active agent of Bray
tonism, issuing its orders to serve legislators and
distributing its corruption funds for the debauchery
of the electorate?
Isn't he the man who Governor Utter says
doesn't boss him. but does in fact boss him by
silencing him on the subject of Braytonism and its
iniquities and by muzzling him on the subject of
the United States senatorship?
Isn't he the man who Mayor Dyer says
doesn't boss him and yet whose command brings
the mayor breakfastless and breathess from his
home to the boss Office in the Banigan buildine3
This blind old man" isn't half as blind as his
creatures OF the Capron type the Republican
ticket, from George H. Utter down to the candidate
for representative from West Greenwich, where TIA
noble patriots are annually persuaded to save the
state and nation by voting for Braytonisms nomi-
nees, after Braytonsm's dough bag" has been
passed around. -
II 10 with feelings of positive disgust sef-re-
speeting citizens will read this irreverent and almost
blssphemous declaration OF the shallow statesman
from Saltwater. God Almighty has been on the
sids Of the Republican party and when He has
ussd II % His instrument. And am willing to give