The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-04-03

Utter. on the ground OF 'his personal
characteT. the popular sentiment In MS
favor. Individual ability. political sagac-
ity. sympathy with the common people
and popularity Indirectly limiting that
the Democratic party In view OF his emil
nent characteristics would be an import
ant factor In his favor.
As TO Gov. utters personal character
there can be no question. IL Is incontesta-
ble-neither can there be any question as
10 his individual ability. As 10 his polit-
ical sagacity and popularity, recent events
may serve 20 change the public sentiment
very materially upon these two points.
Since the Introduction of the bill framed
by him for constitutional reform whereby
the country towns will rule the state as
heretofore and with less than mine per
cent OF the population dictate all legisla-
tion his political sagacity may be ques-
toned, as well as his sympathy with the
common people and his popularity weak
END for what is proposed Is not a con-
vention that Will voice the sentiments OF
the majority OF the people; but an insig
nncant minority whereby the five cities
representing the mass OF the population
Will be as powerless I'm enacting legisla-
tion as before. Under these conditions
venture TO predict that the Democratic
party will not be so important a factor as
your correspondent claims. The contem-
plated measure is hostile 20 majority rule
a principle which the Democratic party
has strenuously advocated
! am In full accord with your corre-
spondent as 20 Gov. Utter's wonderful
gifts as an orator; we cannot question his
matchless ability in that direction II "a
indeed gift OF which he may well be
proud The silver tongued orator from the
granite town OF Westerly was az home IN
addressing our liquor dealers upon the oc-
casion OF their recent convivial jollifica-
tion; and equally so I'm appearing as the
star performer and rendering the same
service for one Sunday school scholars.
When we take into consideration that
both performances were rendered upon
the same day and that each would seem
10 demand a line OF thought and argu-
ment diametrically opposite the other:
our worthy governor cannot be compli-
mented too highly upon his wonderful
oratorical resources.
Under existing circumstances the writer
does not consider Governor Utter an
available candidate for United States sem
ator az the present time and while he does
not concur with him i'm his views as 70
the proposed constitutional amendment
he has the greatest respect for him He
rs straightforward. honest I'm his convic-
tons and fearless, possessing abilities OF
n high order ana with his experience in
public matters as your correspondent
states, Stands far ahead OF any OF the
candidates named TO succeed Governor
Wotmore II any one else does but him.
self"
or the several candidates that have
been named in opposition 10 Governor
Wetmore, all OF whom are lacking I'm po-
litical experience. II Is generally CON
ceded that Colonel Colt. smarting under
the defeat administered TO him by the
Democratic party through Governor Gar
YIN. VIII try conclusions with Governor
Wetmore for senatorial honors
Looking at the matter from a Demo-
cratic standpoint, II is not likely under
present canditions that a United States
senator can be elected from our own
party. I'm which event or between the two
candidates they would have a choice.
The one conservative man never having
been conspicuously identified with any OF
the great trust meaeures. and the other
notably Rhode Island Trust magnate 1t
Is obvious the Democratic party would
naturally lean towards the former, for
whom as their adversary I'm the past they
bear no love.
Governor Wetmore has divested himself
from all business enterprises giving his
entire time and attention to his offi-
cial duties; and has labored zealously
In the interests OF his constituency.
Through his instrumentalty vast meas
ures have been enacted promoting the in
tereets OF the people of our state.
j can not think the mass OF the people
for whom he has devoted his best energies
desire To remove him from his field of
labor and substitute in his place novice
who by reason OF his immense trust en-
terprises is already weighted down with
duties which would impair his usefulness
as United States senator. IL is abvious
that being entirely without experience he
would fall far short OF bringing about the
results accomplished by the present in
cumbent.
Governor Wetmore is n man of charm
Ing personality and easily approached by
those claiming his attention. officially
or otherwise; as all coming in contact
with him can testify: a patient listener
and prompt to act in behalf OF all whose
claims merit his approval
our veterans OF the war have found in
him a friend who never tires in pressing
their claims through the departments at
Washington. In Newport county, where
Governor Wetmore is best known. it will
be difficult to find person regardless OF
politics who will permit his name TO be
set down in favor Of any candidate named
against him; and when the vote is taken
In our state legislature l think IL will be
found solid for Wetmore and that the rep
resentatives from other portions OF the
state, appreciating his abilities and his
earnest efforts TO promote the interests
OF our people, will generally give him
their support.
HENRY r STSSON.