The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-06
BRAYroN1sM'S SOURCE OF POWER.

BRAYTON1SMS SOUKCE Or FOWhN'
Soiourners in Rhode Island ares in the habi
of expressing asonishment at the alb solute contro
of governmental affairs exercised by corrupt Bray
tonism, and at the continued success OF that OH
earchy in perpetuating its evil power. lhey pom
to other states in which boss rule has been over
thrown and express wonder that the people OF
Rhode Island have not before this risen up anC
DESTROYED such malignant domination: .
These visitors within our gates do mot reanzS
the difficulties of the task of roofing out Brayton
ISM because they do not understand that tins EN-
bodiment of political degeneracy and deEradatioi
is entrenched behind the organic law itself lheJ
do not know that il is archaic blgoted, llhpera
and un-American constitution that is fundamental
y responsible for the political ills, outrages. and
abuses under which the people OF this staae haye
suffered for decades and under which they are suil
suffering grievously
II was easy for the people of Pennsylvania
and Of Ohio to rise and crush corrupt bosssrl' pe-
cause in those commonwealths the majority gov
erns. That majority has but TO assert ITS power
against any evil and that evil is rooted out.
But here in Rhode Island the majority does
not rule minority of eight and one-haif per
cent OF the population exercises every junction OF
government in this boss-ridden ana ooSs-piuh-
dered commonwealth
Citizens of other states in which the corner
stone principle of majority rule is upheld cannot
conceive how that principle can be SO thoroughy
subverted as it is in this state, That is because
they do not realize how out OF accord with true
American principles Rhode Islands organic law IS,
and how cunning and crafty Braytonism is in turn
ing its un-American spirit TO its own selhsh ad-
vantage and corrupt proht
1t is not because the people Oh hnode lslailu
or any considerable number OF them are corrupt
or corruptbe that Braytonsm has succeeded IN
sezing the reins of government. Had they en-
loved equal suffrage, just representation III the
iaw-maknp body and majority rule they would
years ago have smashed Braytonism and saved
Rhode Island from the disgrace and odium OF be
ing pillored before her sister commemorative as
"a State For Sale
Under that relic of king-given charter which
we call constitution, Braytonism in order to pro-
long its malgn dictatorship, is not under the neces
sty Of debauchng majority OF the electorate. Al
il need do is TO the election OF twenty OF Its
creatures from as many country towns and 1T Is
then in position to defeat the passage OF every
measure and the appointment or election OF every
officer who does not bear Braytonsms brand.
It is in these country towns that Braytonsn
works its greatest mischief, because 1t IS iron
them it secures its lease of power. True, 1t doe
not confine its malihc Vaccinations to them; bu
il makes the securing OF these twenty manikir
senators its chief concern, Tor with them al IL
command it is at least secure in its power though
all its other enterprises in debauchery and chcan
cry should fail
In the face OF such situation the citizen whC
does not realize that the immediate duty that calls
for performance at his hands is the election to th
general assembly of men pledged to crush Bray
tonism must be obtuse indeed.
To insure the overthrow OF Braytonism th
legislature must be won, and to win the Legislature
the forces of reform must select as candidate
men of character ability and fearessness in ever,
city and town in this state. This is no time to pu
party hacks and chronic placeseekers to the front
The men to win must have more to recon-
mend them than mere affiliation with the Demo
cratic party. They must first of all have the con
hdence OF their fellow citizens without regard t
party. They must be clean and capable The.
must be courageous and, above ALL they must b.
above suspicion OF any secret alliance or nethe
world entanglements with either Braytonism itsel
or with that para site prodHct of Braytonism-th
Hessan horde.
Men of this type must be chosen not alone il
the cities and larger towns but IN the smale
towns throughout the state. These smaller com
munities in the past have been gwen little hee
by the Democracy and Braytonism has exploite
them and made them its own. No doubt even j
the "rotten borough" towns there are decent an
loyal citizens enough TO throw off the CALLING an
ignobe yoke of the corruptionsts, and they wi
do il If honest able and fearless men are chosen I
marshal and lead them in the battle Tor represent;
tive government and honest administration
public affairs.
The Democracy has thus far in the eampaig