The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-01
VOTES WERE PURCHASED
FOR COLT AND WETMORE

faces me OGoddard), who under popular
vote would be elected by an overwhelming
majority. | believe from what have seen
and learned In the remote districts that
Col Goddard may yet stand in the United
States senate as the true representative OF
the people OF Rhode Island.
There are two prominent candidates
for the Republican nomination. This
mornings papers contained an indorse-
ment of one Of them from men four-fifths
OF whom are anti-Roosevelt Republicans.
because they are afraid he will interfere
with what they call business.
II am opposed TO Wetmore, who has
no conception OF the great functions OF
the senate OF the United States. He is
the chief beneficiary OF the system We are
trying TO dethrone. In the II years he
has been In the United States senate he
has paid probably hundreds OF thousands
OF dollars to Brayton to corrupt the voters
OF the state.
But he is not TO be returned how
ever the election goes. He will not he
elected, but n worse man will, II the Re
ubltcans win-because Wetmore is man
or pure character and clean life.
AT recent caucus I'm jamestown,
John j. Watson. treasurer OF the United
states Rubber company. / am told. was
and dealt out money. He gave $40 10 a
man 10 vote for the Colt interests. with
promise of sl5 more IL the ticket was
successful. In some cases as much as
SO was paid a single individual: and for
every dollar OF Colt money there was an
equal dollar OF Wetmore money BY
these men you are 10 see here debauch
OF corruption such as even this state
never saw before.
III. Anthony Dyer recently made his
appearance on the stump and enunciated
the high principle that he would say
nothing of man unless he could say
something good He referred to Con-
gresham Granger IL Dyer can say
nothing good OF Mr.. Granger. he stands
alone in the state OF Rhode Island. How
dare he make that statement?
II am reminded OF remark attributed
TO the Republican boss at the time II
was suggested that Mayor Dyer he poml-
mated for congress. lie said: Not by
damned sight Why. hasn't he done
what he was told?' was asked. Yes. but
I'm damned tired of Anthony. In that.
l believe the people OF the state will
agree with Charles II. Brayton.
When Mr.. Dyer says a vote for tho
Democratic ticket is a vote for Hearst
ISM. he is talking demagogy. which every
man knows Is not true.
There is enthusiasm and reform and
victory in the air. Keep IL up one week
longer. and the first step i'm the redemp
tion OF the state will be accomplished"
Edwin G. Pierce was the next speaker,
and said:
"The new oregon law, successfully put
In operation last June, has most effec-
tually solved the problem OF popular cleo
tion Of senator's i'm advance Of Consti-
tutional change. Rhode Island must have
the oregon law. If elected to the gen
eral assembly from Cranston / shall in
troduce a bill for the oregon law.
THE oregon law simply provides that
tho voters shall register their choice for
United states senator on the official bal
lot. IL does not bind the legislature i'm
law. but practically N binds them. Such
a law would be long step i'm Rhode ISL
and I'm eliminating the money power from
our elections and in bringing in a gov
ernment by public opinion.
Without a revision of our constitu-
tlon by a fair convention, permanent re-
form is impossible In Rhode Island.
THE duty Of the hour Is to vote not
only the Democratic assembly tickets
which favor the election Of that true
Rhode Islander. Robert III. |. Goddard,
but to vote the entire ticket of the Demo
cratic party