The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-07
NOVEMBER 7. 1906.
BRAYTONISM BEATEN.

BRAYTONISM BEATEN.
Braytonism has been beaten. The honest and
decent citizenship of Rhode Island has rallied to
the defence of the good name of the state and has
wiped out the blot on its escutcheon.
James H. Higgins has been elected governor
by an emphatic plurality; and he will redeem his
pledge to kick the boss and his miserable mer-
chsndising out of the state house.
He will do more than that He will use all
his power and influence to secure constitutional
convention and backed by the strong Democratic
and independent vote in the assembly he may be
able to force that issue upon legislature that on
the face of the returns, appears somewhat hostile.
Mr.. Higgins has been elected because the
people believe him honest and sincere Mr.. Utter
has been defeated because his attitude gave them
reason to doubt his honesty and sincerity, because
he refused to denouncc Braytonism until the elev-
enth hour in the campaign and expected to be the
beneficiary of Braytonism's corrupt practices.
Mr. Utter has been defeated because he lacked
the courage of his convictions. ?. Mr.. Higgins has
been triumphant because he had convictions and
the courage to maintain them Mr.. Higgins
against Braytonism first last and all the time. Mr..
Utter was first for and then against Braytonism
His conversion to the cause of the people came too
late The honest citizenship regarded his eleventh
hour pronouneement against Braytonism as politi-
cal pretence and therefore repudated him as po-
litical pretender. They could not believe that a
man who had for twenty years been the beneficiary
of Braytonism could in the brief span Of reelec-
tion become honest opponent of Braytonism.
They preferred to send to the states executive
Office man they knew would neither tolerate nor
compromise with Braytonism, but who would keep
his pledge kick it from the capitol. That is why
the honest electorate of Rhode Island has made
James H. Higgins its governor
In Providence the Democracy has won tre-
mendous victory. Not only has it sent to the gen.
eral assembly the strongest and ablest men ever
selected to represent the city in the lawmaking
body of the state, but it has chosen also mayor
who has pledged himself to safeguard the interests
Of the people, resist the raids Of predatory trusts
and to prevent the scandal of placing convicted
chief at the head of the police administration. The
people Of Providence repudiated Lippitt because
they believed him too little for the place to which
he aspired.
IN the First congressional district the electors
have chosen man Of performance rather than a
man Of pretenee. They have returned Mr.. Granger
because he has splendid record of things accom-
pHshed. They have repudiated Mr.. Dyer because
he has revealed himself to be shallow, insincere
and tricky They have shown that they realize
they have a man Of sterling worth and steadfast
courage in the national house Of representatives
and that they need his able services for two years
more.
In the Second district the reelection OF Mr.
Capron signifies simply that Joe Miller joker can
still befool the electorate into the idea that they
are being capably represented at Washington.
Viewed as a whole yesterdays election is a
tremendous victory for the forces Of civic right
eousness. Braytousnn may control its purchased
puppets from rotten borough towns, but it will not
control the states executive and II will no, owr
the new legislature
Braytonism has been crushed. The peopl,
will rule again in the sovereign state of Rhod,
Island.