The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-10
Continued from page One.


its insidious newspaper. banking and
other corporation influences. will have
been made known. Is quite another ques-
ton.
That no other course than his present
one was left for Senator Wetmore TO
take. has long been plain to even the
political novice.
Some OF his genuine friends In this city
and Newport have written to him de-
manding that he remain In the field TO
the bitter end, because they believed that
the Republican party in Rhode Island
was face TO face with the most serious
crisis In its history. and could not afford
20 take up such a candidate as Col. Colt.
on the other hand, the political vul.
lures. who always flock 90 the field OF
carnage seeking what they may devour,
long ago scented in the threatened battle
between such generous multi-miiionaires
as Colt and Wetmore the richest pickings
that have been promised since the IA
nous Sprague campaign; and they have
been insistent that the dear people want
ed nobody but Wetmore.
Another reason Is offered by some Tor
senator Wetmore's statement at this
time. however; and IL leads 10 the con-
viction that. while the voice that mas
spoken Is that OF Wetmore, the hrn mnu
tofore kept all mouths sealed was the
hand OF Boss Brayton. shrewdest politi-
cal boss New England has ever seen;
There II no doubt whatever that BOSS
Brayton has determined 20 capture the
state personally next fall.
He recognizes even more clearly tnan
do many OF those opposed TO him that IL
Is a battle for his political life in which
the people will be engaged.
He has leaned quite naturally TO Wet
more, as would any master politician
of war from such a candidate, some OF
them within few months; but he IN
tends 10 keep his own frm grip on the
state machinery, whatever tho outcome
OF the battle over the senatorship.
To this end, Il In a vital necessity for
him 20 keep both candidates In the race
until after the election. This he figures
should bring TO tho state machine the
combined strength OF both Colt and Wet
more, which the Boss considers neces-
sary 10 his own and To Republican sue
cess.
He knows that in the present state of
the public mind neither candidate. with
tie other definitely out OF the race,
would have the ghost OF "A show, particu-
lariy II the retirement Of either Colt or
Wetmore was brought about by pressure
from the party leaders:
Such action would ALLEVIATE the friends
OF the ousted candidate and. In the case
OF Wetmore. would result In the loss or
all Newport county. and probably many
other country towns that have been gen
orally considered as reliably Republican
IL the Colt Republicans and the Wet
more Republicans should both take OF
their coats and. pour out their money
and succeed In electing a Republican
grand committee, that committee would
be "a control Of Boss Brayton, regardless
OF tho personal preferences OF the as
bemblymen for United States senator,
and even II a majority should be manly
enough 10 stick TO their personal prefer
ences IN this matter, against the advice
or consent OF the Boss, who would still
be master In all other matters
mighty
lf the state was ever for sale, IL GER
tain1y would be then, and the political
suctioneers would have high old time
In their efforts 10 obtain a record price
for their wares
After such a demonstration OF his po-
Nfical power as the election OF a Repub-
lcan grand committee would be, against
the popular revolt that has undoubtedly
Set In, Boss Brayton's hold on the party
organization would be cemented so
strongly that IL could hardly be broken
by anything less than death; and the
puppets. like those who have been jump
Ing when he pulled the string during re
throughout the next session at his slight
est motion toward the string that has
always controlled them.
Therefore, II Is reasoned by those who
take this view OF the situation, Boss
Brayton, who had determined that
neither OF the candidates should make
any public statement before fall. recon
more. who had fretted under tho leash
OF his manager, spoke out definiteiy.
His statement Is also a quick answer
20 the Colt farewell banquet last week.
and Is likely TO prove a surprise To Col.
Colt when he lands In England.
After assembling at the Squantum club
many Of the old party leaders, and after
hearing from them how highly esteemed
he was by Rhode islanders, and by others
rH., hnx, taA tn fur har q
candidacy, he is likely to be pretty mad
when he discovers that Wetmore Is no
disciple OF the antl-third term cult and
intends to make the race, Colt or no
Colt.
IL will be a very severe blow TO him,
since IL is known that he left home with
IA very strong assurance that the game
was his; and 1t may not be unlikely that
inwardy he will echo the sentiments and
suspicious of some OF his friends at home
who today are accusing Boss Brayton OF
oil kinds OF treachery and double-deal-
ing
Boss Brayton was not In town today,
having gone, IL was said, for a week y
rest in the Maine woods in the vicinity
selected by Col Colt just prior to his de-
parture for Europe.
He was N town last Friday, having
come back TO spend the Fourth, and Iefl
again for another outing.
An attempt was made this afternoon
20 obtain an expression OF opinion from
Judge Nathan NJ. Wright secretary OF the
Republican state central committee, but
Mr.. Wright said:
1T am not I'm position 10 say anything
about candidates for United States sena-
tor. read last winter that Senator
wetm,re was a candidate; and the state
ment purporting to have been made by
him II Newport is consistent with his
publ. statement at that time"
An,ther leading Republican. who has
seena personal letter written by Mr. Wet
mope within a few weeks and who Is
an ardent Colt man, said emphatically
'1'he fact is that Senator Wetmore has
ben prevailed upon TO reiterate his state
nrnt merely for political effect.
Suppose he knew that IL had been de-
TRIMMED to eliminate him and he wanted
ONE substantial consideration for guar
inteeing. or at least, assuring, the sup
port OF his friends? Would II not pe
the shrewdest kind OF politics on his part
not TO voluntarily abandon the race until
he had received such assurance from
Ill -.