The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-31
A CHAMELEON CANDIDATE.

Has George H. Utter experienced another
change of heart? Was his denunciation of the
Boss at Central Falls followed by the fearsome
thought that in his spasm of sincerity and contr-
tion he had gone too far? Is he wabbling again
and preparing to flop once more into the arms OF
Braytonsm which dread of defeat at the
hands of the decent citizenship led him to trucu-
lently condemn Monday EVENING"
This is the question citizens of all political be-
liefs are asking, for they find in Governor Utter's
speech before the Young Mems Republican club
last evening reiteration of his denunciation of
the boss and no renewal of his pledge to remove
this blot from the escutcheon of the state OF
Rhode Island" placed there by the boss, who has
become "a menace to the best interests OF the
state of Rhode Island"
The only statement in the entire address that
can by the widest stretch of construction be re-
garded as dealing with bossism or Braytonism is
this:
There is another thing that the Republican
party should stand for. The Republican party, if
it asks for the confidence of the people of the
state must keep itself clean. 1t is not enough
that the party should simply profess to aim at that
thought. 1t must keep itself of such character,
it must keep itself of such makeup that the
people of the state can say to it: We can truth
fully trust to you welfare and who doubts
that the Republican party of the state of Rhode
Island, including within its boundaries men such
are here tonight, will be true to such trust''
If this is intended at a denunciation Of Bray
and puerie it is when contrasted with that other
declaration made twenty-four hours before: 81
say that one Charles r. Brayton has come to oc.
cupy place which is menace to the best inter
ests of the state of Rhode Island"
Why this sudden change from vigor to vague
ness, this lightning-like transformation fror
temerity to timidity3 Has the boss cracked hi:
whip and has George H. Utter, needing its warn
ing and ominous crackle, concluded to become
again partly false" to his party and to agar
remain quiet" while Braytonsm continues e
plumber and pollute?
Can any change this chameleon candidate may
make during the few remaining days of the cam
pagn surprise any intelligent citizen OF Rhocc
Island? Hardly.
But this twisting and turning and squirrnine
are serving purpose entirely different from tha
aimed at by this tergiversating and timorou:
seeker after the sufrages of the citizens OF Rhode
Island.
They show, so plainly and unmistakably tina
the merest tyro in political affairs cannot be de
ceived by them that George II. Utter is first, las
and all the time place man; that he is willing
to make use Of his reputation as shield for Bray
tonism and its niquities, because Braytonsm give;
him place and keeps him in place; that he is will
ing to denounce Braytonism only when Brayton
ism is in imminent peril of destruction and when
there is a chance that belated and empty pledge
to the people may help him to retain place.
Whatever reputation for sincere George II. Ut
ter enjoyed in this has been destroyed by his
all too-manifest ofice-hunger, which led him to
value place above principle and induced him to
make political plaything of the esteem in which
the people once mistakenly held him.
In the light Of his whole shfty and shallow
public career, as il has now been revealed and ~
the light of his habby pronouncement last nighv
will any citizen OF discerning mind accept his Men
day nights pledge Of the slightest value? vi
one.
For twenty years he has been the daily asso
ciate of Braytonism and frequent beneficiary o.
Braytonisrn's political villainy
For this score of years he has viz
messed the malefc domination of Brsytonism owe
servile legislators: he has seen the boss engage
in his outrageous barter and sale OF legislation, HI