The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-06
THE FINAL COUNT.

Yesterday afternoon the state returning boarc
completed the canvass of the votes cast at the elec
tion on Nov. and announced the result Mayo
higgins OF Pawtucket declared elected COVER
nor by plurality of 1918 over his opponent, Gov
ernor George II. Utter
The difference between the wardens' count ant
that made by the returning board is only so, and
that difference is in favor of Governor-eect Hig.
gins. When it is remembered that for governor a
total OF o8,743 ballots were cast it will be realized
that the first count, made amid the noise and con
fusion OF an election night, was remarkably accu-
rate an achievement for which the election officers
Should not fail to receive due credit
Significant indeed is the change in public SEN
timent revealed in the victory of Mayor Higgins
over Governor Utter. In November, 1905, the pres
ent executive defeated DR.. Garvin by the substan-
tial plurality of 54o5. month ago he was himself
defeated by plurality of 1918
There was an increase of 1885 in the total vote
cast for governor in November last over the total
given in November, 1905; but Governor Utter
gained only 500 on his vote of 3I,3II year ago,
while Mayor Higgins vote shows an increase of
7o3I over the 25,SI6 given Dr. Garvin in 1905
1t is probably true that part of the increase
recorded for the Democratic gubernatorial candi-
date was due to the larger registration, particu-
lary in this city but by far the greater portion of it
was unquestionaby the result of an aroused public
sentiment and general approval of the courageous
and unequvocal declaration of Mayor Higgins
against political evils and iniquties that have
brought odum and reproach upon the state
In no campaign within the memory of any citi-
zen was there a more thorough frank and fearless
discussion of the chief issue involved than by Mayor
he hat ad IN +r;
umphant election Nov. 6 last.
Is it not reasonable assumption that Cover
Utter out of total increase of 1885 received
only patry 500 because he had forfeited the con-
dence of large part of the thoughtful electorate
by his tergiversating during the progress of
the campaign?
From the moment he accepted the nomination
TO his final words on the eve of election Mayor Hg-
gins declared that bossism and Braytonism must
be destroyed in order that government Of bv and
for the people might be established in Rhode Island
and the infamies of machine rule be rooted out
On the other hand, Governor Utter until the
closing days of the canvass insisted that he knew
of no boss and that If there was bossism he was
not subject TO its domination and control Six DAYS
before the people were to record their verdict at
the polls he experienced a change of heart, con-
fessed he had been partly false to his party by re-
naming passive while the boss carried on his mis-
chievous and menacing practices, and declared that
boss to be menace to the state.
The question was thus presented to the citi-
zcns whether they would continue in office a gov
ernor who after repeated evasons had finally adj
mitted he had for two terms done absolutely moth
ing to put end to conditions and practices he
knew to be disgrace and scandal to the state. or
whether they would replace him by an executive ,
who pledged himself to exert all the powers con
ferred upon him for the rescue of the commonwealth
from the political evils and infames fastened upon
it by Braytonism.
That question they settled and settled right |
They made Mayor Higgins the next governor Of I,
Rhode Island because they believe he will do what
he pledged himself to do for the promotion of po-
litical honesty and decency and for the establish
ment Of representative government
They repudiated Governor Utter because he
had been disloya to them by failing 10 do that
which IT was his duty to do-protcct them against
the evil and mischief OF Braytonism