The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-06-21
BAMBOOzLE GAME
ON WETMOREITES
CONTINUED from Page one.

continued from Page One)
AT the same time all sorts OF ready
made yarns that do not get into print are
being put out in various directions-nota-
bly, some for consumption in and about
Newport-according 10 the requirements
that are met.
There are denials where they are likely
to do the most good. fairy tales where
they seem likely TO quiet misgivings. di-
rect assertions where only they can still
the turbulence OF the soul consumed by
wrath. and so on.
But all the time. the one purpose is
perSistently adhered to-that of not only
keeping the rank and file, and even most
OF the leaders. in blissful ignorance of the
plans OF Gen. Brayton. but particularly of
bamboozling the Wetmore men into
hypnotic state In which the shade of Col.
Colt shall not disturb the spirit OF their
dreams.
If the Wetmore men can only be de-
luded into an idea that Col Colt really
has not yet gotten into the game and
doesn't yet know that he will. while in
the meantime under the surface plans are
being perfected TO secure majority, for
him In the assembly. all will be well.
That's the game; and IL Is being played
with the cards all stacked long ago. and
with depth Of trickery and dissmulation
SURPRISING any previous sport OF the kind
these plantations previously have seen.
"In the meantime, there is such an
amount OF grumbling and growing in the
ranks. such growing spirit of unrest
bitter suspicion among the Wetmore men
as you never saw before among Repub-
licans in this state.
Gen. Brayton thus not only is up
against the toughest Job he has ever tack
led. but he is considerably wrought up
over IL.
tempted 10 be funny over The Goddard
letter betrayed him badly; ana even those
next to him are saying things about IL
that they don't dare TO tell him 10 his
"It IS rapidly getting, too. so that about
every leader is suspicious or every other
one, the common members OF the party
are suspicious of the leaders, and all are
suspicious OF the general
He, too. thinks some men have been
and are doing too much talking. and has
the eye OF very ugly suspicion on some
OF them.
"To add to all the turmoil and trouble.
the existence of a lively Democratic news
paper. which evidently has some very
very annoying thorn I'm the side.
And now. on top OF II all. comes the
Unexpectedly almost universal denuncia-
tion-even among men right up close To
lame and impotent course OF Mr.. Pierce
and Col. Gross Of the police commission.
one in declaring Matthews a sweet young
innocent. and the other, the chairman of
the state committee. In practically forcing
Luther either TO agree to let the guilty
chief out with reprimand or to take the
chance OF standing alone while the other
two whitewashed Matthews altogether.
This ia now seen to have been griev-
! ously fatal blunder. destined TO work
| more political havoc TO the party than
would have the firing of the chief, for
| about everybody is on and it's hard 20
| see Just how the thing is going to be
counteracted II the Democrats seize the
| opportunity to work Il for all It's worth
| ''Troubles never come singly, you know
| and it does seem as II the poor old gen
eral is having more than his share OF
| them.
| 81 haven't word TO say against him
! myself, though a good many who owe hin
| more than do are knocking him prettS
hard-and | might say ungratefully: bu
| Il really does seem IL he isn't the same
grand old man as a few years ago, no
really so adroit or so discreet In his cum
| ming and as II he Is fast losing his grip.