The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-13
FRIDAY, JULY 1s, 1906.
BRAYTONISM'S MENDACITY.

i he newspaper organ OF the Aldrlcn-ferry-
Colt -Brayton combine continues TO insist that the
campaign has not yet opened and that il will not
begin until next September. Doubtless Braytonsm
would be highly pleased if interest in the campaign
could be suppressed until few weeks before cleo
tion day.
Braytonsm shuns publicity. Discussion OF
Issues of public concern it regards as dangerous,
because it tends to the people to interest and
activity, which in themselves menace to ma
chine domination.
Ring rule has been able to perpetuate itself
here in Rhode Island because Braytonism succeed
ed in beooling the people into the belief that there
would be nothing doing in the campaigns until
well into the fall By that time Braytonism had its
schemes matured and its slate made up, while the
people, because of their previous apathy, could
neither defeat the one, however sinister, smash
the other, however unfit the men whose names ap-
peared upon it.
Braytonism realizes that when the people are
sufficiently aroused TO discuss the issues before
them for settlement and to consider the fitness OF
men who are likely to seek their support, there is
trouble ahead.
1t is because it does not mistake the peril that
now eeHffeHts it that Braytonism through the
agency OF its newspaper organ seeks to sthe discus
sion among the citizens by mendaciously maintain
ing that the campaign has not begun.
The people know better. They cannot be duped
now as they were persistently duped in the past
They we'll aware that the campaign in Rhode
Island opened on the twelfth day Of May when a
convention representing the Democratic and Inde
pendent electors of the state unanimously nomi-
mated Colonel Robert II. /. Goddard for United
States senator
This convention was held early in the year with
xt~ da6o ;ta d;efip ~ oiy the
pie an opportunity to consider fully and calmly not
only the character and fitness of the candidate
lected but the principles and the issues for which he
stands.
The forces Of reform seek the widest publicity
and most searching scrutiny of the they have
put forward as their standard bearer and of the
political principles he maintains. Braytonisnl,
the other hand seeks to hide the identity of its
crctly selected candidate and to smother all discus
sion concerning political issues.
In that tricky endeavor it has failed and failed
SO completely that even within the ranks of the Re-
publican party, where it has hitherto been success
full in throtting all discussion, there Is agita-
ton so active and acrimonious to threaten the
overthrow of Braytonism itself.
If, as the organ of Braytonsm insists, the cam
paign has not begun and will not begin until Sep
tember how does il happen that Senator Wetmore
and his friends have begun open and aggressive
warfare on the Aldrich-Perry-Co COLT Brayton com
bine to render abortve and ineffective its scheme
TO oust the junior senator and put Colt in his place?
If the campaign hasn't opened, how does it
happen that Senator Wetmore has opened head
quarters at Newport from which he is directing the
war against the combines impudent decree OF
custer?
If the campaign hasn't opened how is it that
in every city and town in the state the decent and
intelligent citizenship is discussing the prospect of
victory for reform at the polls in November, and
is preparing TO make that victory complete by the
power of its own ballots.
Braytonism may insist as long and as loudly as
1t pleases that the campaign is not on, but the
people, knowing better, employing their time
and directing their energies to the uniting and
strengthening of their forces to the end that when
November 9th arrives there will be no doubt OF the
complete and final destruction of Braytonism.