The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-10
NOW OR NEVER.

Newport Republicans at their city convention
last evening, instructed their nominees Tor senator
and representatives in the OF their election to
labor and 10 vote for the return OF GeorgeP Peabody
Wetmore to the United States senate. This vas
entirely proper and fitting recognition OF the SER
vices of fellow citizen holding high and honor
able public office.
But OF what practical value will it be? None
whatever There is slight prospect these assembly
candidates will be elected, but even IN the lmprob-
able event that they successful, of what avail
will their efforts be against the absolute power and
potential DEGREES of Braytonism'
With the exception OF the Newport delegation,
there is little doubt that every Republican senator
and representative returned to the general assembly
of 1907 will be as completely subservent TO Bray
tonsm as the members OF the assembly for the
present year have been. Utterly unavailing there
FORE would be any effort of the five members OF the
legislature from Newport against Braytonism's
united and obedient creatures.
II Mr. Wetmore and his supporters intend To
offer any resistance to the enforcement OF Bray
tonisms secret decree OF custer against the Junior
senator they will be fatuous, indeed, if they delay
until the legislature in January next Indeed,
by so delaying they will be playing directly into
Braytonisms hands and will be really assisting it
in the carrying out OF its nether-world conspiracy
against Wetmore
The time and the place to make their fight
is at the Republican convention tomorrow. III ii
isn't made then and there il need not be made at ALL
because any later effort would be futile, foolish and
1t is the general practice in state conventions
preceding the election of United States senators
to give an endorsement 10 the sitting member, ii
he is to be the partys candidate for reelection. Ii
some other candidate is to be named for the sena
toral office he is endorsed in the party platform.
Such procedure is not only proper but abso
lutely necessary if the electors, by their for
members Of the legislature, TO have any weight
in the choice OF United States senator's. Indeed, lii
no other way can the rank and file Of parties learn
xxhn 10 he heir rial i1ate hy
formal declaration in the state platform.
Braytonism, however, does not intend that
either the party or the people at large shall have
any voice, either direct indirect, in the selection
OF Mr.. Wetmore's successor. 1t does not intend
that the members of the Republican party shall
know who the candidate for the Junior senator
ship is to be before they go to the polls on Novem-
Der next.
To let it be known that it has chosen Colonel
Colt TO supplant Mr.. Wetmore would interfere with
the success OF Braytonism's game OF playing both
ends against the middle" 1t would cut off Mr.
Wetmores liberal contributions and probably send
Mr.. Wetmore's supporters into the ranks OF the
Lincoln party
Braytonism wants Wetmore's money and the
votes of Wetmore's supporters To obtain both il
is pursuing policy of duplcity and deceit ncor-
ceivable by men accustomed TO honest dealing and
straightforward methods.
But Braytonism founded as il is on monstro,is
dishonesty, is incapable OF honest political dealing
Moreover, in the nasty game il is now playing il
proposes to knife, in the interests Of a new and
probably more munhcent favorte, the very man
whose money helped il by debauching the elector-
ate to secure its present evil ascendancy in Rhode
Island
Unless Mr. Wetmore demands and obtains
from the state convention tomorrow an unequvo-
cal endorsement OF his candidacy for a third term
as United States senator he will know that the
secret conspiracy against him is TO be consummated
and that the name OF Samuel Pomeroy Colt and not
his own will be presented to the next general as
sembly.
Mr.. Wetmore has the right TO demand an en-
dorsement from the convention, not only that he
may know his own standing with his party Bat
to force Braytonism TO show its hand in order that
the rank and file may be able to vote ntelligently
for assemblymen when they go to the polls
Brsytonism has already mpudently declared
that il will not permit an endorsement OF Mr. Wet
more or the endorsement of any other candidate
and asserts that il has never been the practice of
Republican conventions 10 give endorsement u
senatorial candidates
That statement is barefaeed and brazen
fabrication. Republican conventions have endorsed
senatorial candidates. Two years ago, on the I2th