The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-24
COLT COMBINE POSES
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.It is now a fight between Republican,
ism on one hand and Bosssm on the
other" said a representative Republican,
an adherent of the Colt faction, as with
a studied appearance of being confidential
he professed TO sum up the situation in
Rhode Island today.
II don't take any stock In the oft ex-
pressed statement that Senator Wetmore
will not be in the race after election,
provided he isn't eliminated at the eau
cuses," he said
THE real battle between Colt and Wet
more will take place I'm the cauctsses; and
after the result Is known one or the other
will probably come out with a statement
withdrawing from the contest. OF course.
It won't be Col Colt. Everybody knows
that.
''You have not the slightest idea of the
feeling that exists among Republicans
generally, not so much because OF this
battle for the United States senatorship.
but rather because OF dissatisfaction with
the attitude of Gen. Brayron.
HE has been and Is yet magnificent
fighter. He has his friends, and has gen.
orally been loyal 10 them.
I'VE have never believed that he was
for Col. Colt, though he has probably not
1ntimated 10 any OF his numerous lieu
tenants just where he does stand: but.
knowing Brayton as we do. and knowing
TO Senator Wetmore, we cannot doubt
that II Jharhas the votes after election
ne will throw them TO the Newport SEN
ator. whoNhas done so much for him.
1T IL probably to be Brayton's last real
struggle for political life. though he prob
ably will not retain the leadership long
II he wins this time.
80 far as l can gather, he intends to
triumph at all hazards, TO show his
strength and to pay some part OF the
debt ne owes to Wetmore.
Then, he may withdraw from further
active participation In politics: but IL he
loses In this forthcoming titanic struggle.
there can be no question that he will be
down and out forever.
The young Republicans TO whom the
general has so patheucally appealed re-
Gently to help him out. are having their
eyes opened to the fact that bossism is
the drag anchor about the necks OF ambi-
Uous young men, who desire TO remain
in the party and TO be loyal to it's prin-
ciples. They will be heard from this fall
''Col. Colt is not young man. nor yet
che Ideal of the young men; but he Is
backed by able and far-sighted Republi-
cans who have the greatest pride in the
state and In what the colonel has done
for them and her.
Whey know he is not n politician and
does not desire the senatorshlp In order
20 Increase his wealth. which has been
gained from industrial ventures that have
largely added to the wealth OF the state
They know also that BraytonN- not
. producer. neither is wetmore: and they
are looking 10 the colonel 10 lead them TO
victory.
mo far-sighted Republican has the
slightest fear OF Goddard IN this cam
paign. Either wetmoro or Colt can de-
feat him. we believe; but. as wctmore
has had two terms and can base his claim
for third term merely and solely upon
I. the ground that he has the political
friendship and aid OF the man who has
been the undisputed boss OF the party for
the past quarter OF a century. and who
has had his campaign largely financed for
yeans by the Newporter. we think II high
time for a change. not only I'm the soma
torship. but also In the method OF de-
tcrmining how IL shall be filled
That is the reason why the caucuses
will be the largest and decidedly the most
Interesting the state has seen In many
years" !"