The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-31
HIGGINS P|LlOR|ES UTTER
ON OEATH-BED GOODNESS

The Democratic rally in Jacques Cartier
hall. Central Falls. last evening was the
largest and most enthusiastic in the his
tory Of that city. and the reception given
10 Mayor Higgins was characterized by
scenes OF wild enthusiasm that printer $
Ink cannot even attempt 20 portray or
describe
Before the meeting there was a parade.
In which the Pawtucket city band and the
members OF the club escorted the prin-
cipai speakers OF the evening through
some OF the streets on the West side; and
at the corner OF Dexter and Darling street
a flag was thrown 10 the breeze In honor
OF Mayor Higgins and Col. r.. VI. I. God
dard
Senator John A. Remington introduced
Hon Noe l.. Nadeau as chairman. and
the latter I'm few remarks formally in
troduced Mayor Higgins.
IL was fully FIVE minutes before the
mayor was given an opportunity TO make
himself heard; and then, after expressing
thanks for the reception he spoke as
follows:
1T is gratifying to reflect that certain
candidates have become impressed with
the Importance Of meeting the issues as
originally presented by ourselves" said
Mayor Higgins.
This is not so much a campaign OF
men as II is OF principles pure and sim
pie. We must meet facts as they are.
and those facts must be living facts.
Questions hundred years old, the deeds
of men long past and gone. are not at
issue during this campaign.
Last evening on this very platform.
Gov. Utter made a complete turn about
face in his attitude on the issue OF the
campaign. l wonder what the people OF
Rhode Island are going 10 think concern
ing his declaration. / wonder what the
citizens of this state nave TO say about
a campaign which IL conducted on such
lines as these?
Gov. Utter a few days before he re
ceivedi the nomination declared that the
boss had certain virtues which reformers
did not possess. Among those he cited
the fact that the boss stood by his
friends A few days later at the Re
publican convention In a half-hearted,
vague manner, he declared in general
terms that he was opposed to bossism.'
He did not mention Brayton by name.
and made no specific reference 10 any OF
his acts
'He did not say what he was going
TO do with the boss, he did not even
denounce him in the mildest terms. On
the contrary, he undertook to bring me
to task for what l said the previous
evening. when i declared that, II elected,
I would try 10 drive Brayton out OF the
state house and break his hold on the
state legislature. Ever since that time
the governor has been pooh-poohing my
words regarding Brayton.
He has declared from the public plat
form and from the columns of his paper
that the public should beware OF men
who make promises they cannot fulfin.
He has even gone so far as To declare
that when I made that statement l was
'resorting 10 the practices OF a dema-
gogue or trusting to the ignorance of my
hearers
Although he has been speaking al
most daily for the past few weeks he
did not until last night come out openly
and declare against Brayton Now at
the eleventh hour he repents for his two
years OF inactivity and passive tolera
tion Of Brsyton's corrupt and degrading
rule
Now. almost on tho eve of election.
when he is driven into a corner. when
he sees the outraged and indignant sem
timent Of our citizens aroused. he comes
out and declares against Brayton.
THE governor In one Of his earlier
speeches saw At 10 tell you that all we
were seeking were the Offices. that II
was not a case OF principle with us but
a case Of getting the offices. How much
plltClpie Is lHtIt III tug 'buuuth W WV
George II. Utter in declaring now that
he is against Brayton after he has al
lowed Brayton 10 ply his trade for two
years without a word Of protest?
What have you been doing Mr. Utter.
for the past two years? What have
you ever before said in public against
the disgraceful conduct Of Charles r.
Brayton7 What have YOU ever said
against him before IN this campaign by
way Of denunciation or applying the lash
TO him?
And you say II Is we who are hungry
for the offices. Well, sir | want 20 tell
YOU publicly that I have never I'm my
whole life seen n more patent attempt
to gain public Office than your efforts In
this campaign. The only reasonable
ground that can be given for your pres
ent attitude Is that you foresee in the
coming election an avalanche Of votes
which will bury from the public view
those who actively or passively support
Braytonism.
you have accepted vac nomination at
his hands and held office under his
regime without protest You allowed
your high reputation TO be used as a
shield 10 cover HIS lgnomlnes and con-
ceal the practices ~ tho state machine.
why did you not denounce Brayton
then. when you first came into power?
II you did not care about the office. II
all you cared about was principle you
ought 10 have had a ringing message