The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-01
COL. GODDARD SOUNDS THE SLOGAN Of CIVIC DECENCY

II do not believe the people desire any
one man 10 usurp the powers which they
bestow upon their representatives. II.
however, such a man is desired (and I am
sure he never will bel. would they not
prefer their governor, in whose selection
each has an equal voice?
The office Of governor of this ancient
commonwealth. which has the distinction
OF being one OF the original 13. should
be a proud and enviable one II should
be a position which might we'll satisfy
the ambition OF any son of Rhode Island,
and yet compare the power and influence
OF Gov. Davis, Gov. Garvin and Gov.
Utter. both men whom the people have
honored, with that of the head of the
machine
els II not mortifying. is Il not disgrace
full. that such men in whom the people
have reposed their confidence have so
little influence In the government of the
state, and that Charles r. Brayton. re-
sponsible to no one, so far as we can
Judge. a self-constituted boss, should have
the power 10 manipulate legislation and
to pull the wires of government! Is II
not a burning shame, fellow citizens. Re-
publicans and Democrats, that we have
submitted so long and so tamely to such
degradation! II seems Incredible that we
have not before risen in our might. scat
tered party ties to the wind. and asserted
our manhood against the Mammon of Cor
ruption! (Applause)
'T do not believe that more than one in
10 OF the Republicans in this state. deep
down in his heart. approves this machine
government under which we are living.
How is II. then, that we have not the
other nine men out Of 10 with us in the
movement.
''If you. ask them. they will say: We
fear the Democrats They act as IL they
believe that IL is better TO let this politi-
cal debauch go on than try an expert
ment which will permit such dangerous
men to gain access to the halls of legisla-
ton. daughter and applause). They
claim the Issue is not 'Braytonism,'
but safe and sane legislation for our in
dustries and our property and avoidance
IL all that is dangerous. A not of insin-
cerity pervades this half-hearted and apol-
ogetfc contention. II Is sham cry and n
sham issue.
'But let us consider this issue from
their point of view. One would imagine
that this coalition against Braytonism
was made UP Of the worst elements OF
society, lawless Anarchists with BOMBS
in their pockets with which 10 hurl de-
struction and havoc. daughter and
cheers) Yet here are some OF them,
look at them, are they not on who
have grown up in this state. men who
have families they love. homes to which
they are attached and property accumu-
lated by toll and enterprise2 Are such
men dangerous In any society,"
Apart from any motives OF honor and
patriotism. which I know they possess,
can such men ever be menace to So
cietyY Are not the leaders of this move
ment in behalf OF civic decency and right
eousness able men as we'll as upright cit
liens? How absurd and how futile TO
talk Of them as being dangerous to the
state!
"In Joining this combination to restore
honest self-government to this state, can
anyone say that we are In the slghtest
degree disioyal 10 the Republican porty2
''lf we are. then you must convict Sec
retary OF State Root, OF the straightest
sect OF the Republicans. OF disloyalty.
"If we are disloyal TO our Kepupllcan
faith won must convict that able admin
istrator and leading Republican. William
II Taft OF disloyalty.
"one reason given by Secretary Tart
would like to dwell on Tor a momeht, nv,
No nobler ambition can exist In the