The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-27
MONDAY, AUGUST 27, 1906.
GOVERNOR UTTER AND BOSSISM.

In the course OF his address at the Old Home
Week meeting in Pawtuxet last evening Governor
Utter took occasion to say that the charge is fire.
quenty made that Rhode Island is boss ridden and
that if the charge is true the blame for such con-
ldition rests upon the people for electing men to
office who can be bossed.
There is a fundamental truth in the governor S
statement, for under the American principle the
people supposed to elect the government under
which they live and are, therefore, responsible for
the character OF that government. However. there
should be no one better aware than Governor Utter
that here in Rhode Island the people do not choose
the government.
The men who fill public offices are not the free
choice of the people, a majority OF the people,
but of the Brayton oligarchy. The Republican
lparty, which has long held political sway in
this commonwealth, is not a free agent. 1t does
not exercise the functions of a great political or
ganization.
1t is merely an Instrument which BraytOnism
employs to endorse in conventions the candidates
it has secretly chosen and 10 give them legal title to
the Offices by their ballots on election day Does
Governor Utter imagine he would ever have been
nominated for the office he holds without
Braytonsm's approval and active support? If he
does he is cherishng deluson entertained by no
o
Island
Easy enough it is for Governor Utter to say the
people should not elect men who can be bossed ;
but will he tell them how they help themselves
when the nominating and election machinery is in
absolute control of Braytonism when caucus laws
are made to suit Braytonism and not to safeguard
the rights of citizens and when canvassing boards
and returning boards composed of the creatures
OF Braytonsm?
The fact is, and Governor Utter will admit it, if
he is entirely candid, that Braytonsm has so en-
trenched itself that it is stronger that the Republi
can party today. A revolt potential enough 10
shake off Braytonsms malign grip on the party
cannot be hoped for because men like Governor
Utter though they preach against bosses and boss
ism, never go farther than words in endeavoring
10 rid their party of the incumbus and do not hest
tate TO accept the aid of a boss when they seek
public Office.
1t will be possible to elect men who cannot
be bossed only when the shackles which Brayton-
ism has cunnngly forged have been stricken
from the people and that can be done only through
the instrumentalty OF a organic law.
Just so long as the present constitution remains
just SO long will Braytonism endure TO continue
its malefc manipuatons Braytonism exists not
in spite of the constitution, but because its un-
American and illiberal provisions permit it to exist.
Braytonism is the logical result of an organic
law that allows a small fraction OF the population
20 govern the whole people of the commonwealth.
To destroy Braytonism, TO render il impossible of
resurrection for all time, new constitution must
be framed and adopted, Governor Utter knows,
or ought to know.
And such constitution must be written by
convention in which the people of the whole state
shall have fair and just representation No organic
law that would restore representative government
10 Rhode Island that would guarantee equal rights
to all citizens, with special privileges none, and
that would crush Braytonsm by destroying the
foundation upon which Braytonsm rests, could be
would be framed by convention constituted as
Governor Utter would have it, according to the
proposition he submitted TO the general assembly
during its last session, and which was never heard
OF afterward
Representation in the convention as proposed
by Governor Utter would be the same as in the
present house of representatives, which would mean
that Braytonism would dominate the convention
and dictate the new constitution just as il now
dominates the house OF representatives and the
senate and dictates All ir-isiatit5tt
Governor Utter is not willing to concede lust
representation TO the people, but that is something
the people determined TO secure for themselves
The present united movement OF the decent and
loyal citizenship OF Rhode Island is not designed
merely 10 elect Colonel Goddard to the United
States senate or 20 secure control OF the govern
ment Of the state
II has still higher and more benehcent aim