The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-16
THE DECLARATION OF A MAN.

Refreshing, indeed, after the loud-sounding,
but empty, preachments of independence of boss
rule by candidate who twice has been the political
beneficiary of Braytonism's mischievous machina-
tions and brazen debauchery of the electorate and
who for nearly two years has been the close associ
ate of Braytonism itself, it is to hear read the
plain, straightforward and virile declaration OF
man with iron in his blood, independence in his
brain and courage in his heart
Mayor Higgins is no puere platform pleader,
making a pretence to virtue he does not possess,
and asking endorsement upon record that is as
substantial and valuable to the people footless
stocking without leg.
The Democratic candidate for governor is in
this battle to lead outraged and plundered people
in their crusade for the destruction OF the foules
and most evil political oligarchy that has ever
come into existence in this republic
1t is not for the securing of Offices that the
present campaign is being waged it is not that one
set of public servants wearing the Republican badge
may be turned out and another set wearing the
badge Of the Democracy may be put in their places
that the militant spirit of the people of Rhode
Island is aroused, but, as Mayor Higgins declared
in his address before the Plymouth Institute last
evening, that corrupt and corrupting machine
may be crushed.
that Carthage must be destroyed but that Bray
ton and Braytonsm must be destroyed" There is
no mistaking this language, no misunderstanding
its meaning.
Mayor Higgins is enlisted for the the
decent citizenship of Rhode Island has begun the
boss and the noisome and evil oligarchy OF which
he is the visible agent and conscienceless instru-
ment.
Nor does he content himself with denuncia-
ton of political despotsm that has made the name
weaths, but declares with emphasis and direct
that give the stamp of truth and sincerity
to his words
II want my position clearly understood,
and once understood the public can take or can
leave it, as it wills. have no wishy-washy milk
and-water declaration to make. l wish to say that
so far as lies in my power and in the power OF the
chief executive, IL am elected to that office, will
drive from the state house the criminal boss who
has contaminated that place and prostituted the
rights of the people.
Dare Governor George H. Utter make similar
declaraton1 Has he the courage of his pretended
independence of boss rule to declare that he, too,
will tear Braytonism's legislative auction flag from
the sherffs Office and thrust it with its callous,
vulgar and unscrupulous out of the doors of
the state house?
The People will await his reply to this definite
challenge, not with much hope, however. that he
will accept for an executive who for nearly two
years has witnessed almost daily scandalous
udiHShlnB III ule leSlslduoH oi soNeieiBh STATE
under the red flag Of the boss auctioneer, without
murmur and without protest is not likely with
another Braytinism nomination fresh in his pocket
even to peep puny protest against such monstrous
merchandising.
Other cities and other states have had to bear
the burden and affliction of bosses and bosssm AS
Mayor Higgins points out New York has its Platt
and Odell, Illinois its Butler, Philadelphia it Dur
ham and McNieo and San Francisco its Rufe, but
not one of these ministers Of mischief and ohicane
has ever had the hardhood TO ensconoe himself at
state house to snap the whip the servile egis
lators or offer legislation for sale to those who
willing to pay the price.
When Mayor Higgins tells of the subservience
of lawmakers, when he quotes the Boss as telling
candidates they must not know whom they will sup