The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-25
STILL EVASIVE AND WABBLY.

goodness and uprightness is becoming mo-
notonous. not to say wearisome, to the people of
Rhode Island, who cannot understand why, since
his personal character has not been called into
question, he should continue to parade it on every
conceivable occasion
A clean personal character is a valuable asset
for any man who seeks the suffrages of his fellow
citizens and there is no one disposed to deny its
possession to Governor Utter. But it is not with
the governors private character the people are
concerned Just now. 1t is with his record the
executive of the state for the past two years and
with his promises of future performance in that
office they have to do.
Not once since the campaign opened has the
governor made good his declaration that he is not
obedient to bossism by denouncing the boss and
repudiating his sinister and malevoent methods
and practices.
He has been challenged to disprove the charge
that he has been muzzled by Braytonsm; and that
challenge he has not dared to accept
His latest pronouncement was made at the rally
of the Third Ward Republican club last night and
ii was as evasive and as wabbly the others that
have gone before it. With all the ardor OF the
most uncompromising supporter of Braytonism the
governor labored to carry out Braytonism's de-
ceitful policy of dstracting attention from its own
outrages and niquities by attempting to dupe the
people into the belief that the continued pros
perity of the nation is dependent upon the success
of the Republican party here in Rhode Island at
the coming election
the personal note as usual became the dominant
one II have been the chief executive OF this
state for two years., said Governor Utter. Il prom
ised you in the beginning that l would never de-
fame the fair name of my state, that would pre-
serve it against calumny; and have tried to do So
smother my Judgment But in all things have
served my OATH which to be true and to faith
fully support the laws and constitution OF the state
so help me God"
How has the governor preserved the common
wealth against calumny? Has he ever attempted
to root out the evils that have become disgrace to
the state and scandal to all right-thinking men?
There can be no calumniation unless false charges
are made.
Will Governor Utter have the hardihood to as
sert that the charge that the boss carries on the
open and shameful barter and sale OF legislation
in the state house itself is not absolutely and speci-
cally true?
If he kept his pledge to preserve the state
against calumny would he not have attempted to
remove the cause of what he is pleased to call
caurnny, but which is in fact just and deserved
criticism and censure!
Did he help TO safeguard the good name OF
Rhode Island when for two years he never uttered
a word Of protest or took single official step
against those outrageous practices OF the boss IN
the sheriff's office which led to the piloryng OF
Rhode Island before her sister commonwealths as
"A State For SaleP
III 10 Sit Suplneiy Dy Wnile NIlC laws VI uiS
state are made merchandise of by unserupulous
and conscienceless boss -Lor his personal profit is
TO preserve Rhode Island against caiumny, then
George H. Utter is entitled TO the credit OF pre-
serving it.
II did not excuse any wrongdoing says the
governor. The people are not asking him whether
he excused wrongdoing. but what he did to stop
wrongdoing Can he point to a single word or
act of his directed toward putting end 90 the
boss monstrous merchandising in the sherif's Of
ice1 He cannot.
BY his silence he has given consent by his
passivity he has given encouragement TO the shock
ing offences against right and dccenoy committed
by the boss as the agent and instrument OF cor
rupt Brsytonsm that has brought odium upon the
commonwealth for whose good name he processes
such jealous regard.
II did not smother my manhood. ! old not
Smother my jrS,,e was another CT Governor