The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-11-20
NO CAUCUS MAY
Be PLANNED ON
SENATORSH|P

"Balloting FOR United States senator at
me state capitol is expected To begin on
Tuesday, Jan. Is; and there will be at
east five names presented TO the general
assembly"
This semi-official staement was made
Cday 10 a representative u the News
Democrat by an eminent Republican au-
Lhority on state affairs.
''The struggle is likely TO be long and
wen bitter" he continued, "and a dark
aorse is thought by some members to have
4 good show
There Is no way In which the Demo-
,rats and Goddardites can defeat the Re-
publicans. Even II the Newport county
people adhere TO their notion not 10 enter
caucus and the balloting begins without
any understanding among the Republicans
rs to who is TO be the official candidate,
every Republican vote will be cast for
Republican.
"Wetmore will have at least Is and
probably % Republican votes on the first
ballot. I'm such contingency; aud the
pnly way In which can see that the God
Eardites and their Democratic allies can
hgure will be for them 10 throw their
strength 10 Wetmore, Il they fear Colt,
and thus insure a third term for the pres
snt senator
How they can do this however. under
kher personal and party pledges / cannot
understand. as they seem 10 be- committed
TO Goddard until Il Is demonstrated be-
ycnd the possibility Of a doubt that he has
nc show OF election.
Right here comes in another consider
hon that may fool them. Suppose the Colt
men hnd that they have enough votes on
the first ballot 10 win. Why should they
demonstrate their strength IN a caucus
and thus indicate To the Wetmore and
Goddard men the only thing that can be
done TO defeat Colt, that Is 10 combine on
either Wetmore or Goddard?
'It looks very much TO me- therefore I'm
view OF the suspicious entertained by the !
Newporters. who fear being trapped" "
that there will he no senatorial caucus, !
80 far as the Republicans are concerned.
and the Democrats do not need TO hold |
enc. since they are committed I'm advance |
to Col Goddard
Moreover. party caucuses on such |
nUestion have almost never been held, he |
cause It has not been necessary About II |
years ago. IN April. 1889, 10 he exact. when |
Wetmore was defeated by Nathan +. |
Dixon Of Westcrly-don't forget the town |
there was a rather close contest, Wet
more having n Of the rs votes east on the |
eighth ballot believe. and Dixon get !
ting 81,
History may repeat itself So bitter
has the contest grown that there IL not
the slightest doubt that either faction
would vote for GOV. utter rather than see
the candidate of the other faction |
triumph. Such a result would allow the
section of the state TO retain
q seat in congress. and IL might not be
wholly unwelcome To the people OF the
state
"In the senatorial fight Of Il years ago
Judge LeBaron h, Colt. received two votes
probably without his knowledge OF con-
sent. The Judge might permit the use OF
his name this time though why he should
care TO give up his present life position
for six-year job as senator do not |
Another well-informed member-elect OF |
the assembly said: Utter isn't i'm Il for =
and won't he. Don't give yourself |
any uneasiness over that"