The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-05-23

The New York Sun today published u
very lengthy and exhaustive review Of
political conditions In this state. In which
Il told plain facts I'm very plain way.
Much that was given is thoroughly fa-
miliar To the people OF this state. and as
q review OF past and present conditions
Is Therefore. OF interest chiefly TO those
who live outside.
In some matters OF detail and some
views taken OF what has been and what
&c. the Sun writer VIII hardly be conced-
ed TO have presented a strictly accurate
picture but as a whole his statements
vii lcommend themselves 10 all who are
aware OF what has been going on and
what is now under way In the politics ot
Rhode Island
Among the more interesting portions oi
The Sun article is the following:
'sOne block east OF the Industrial Trust
company's home on Westminster street.
that narrow. busy and congested artery
OF commerce where banks are as numer-
GUS as saloons In an ordinary town,
stands the big granite building or the
Rhode Island Hospital Trust company
uhe third largest financial institution In
New England)--the second Is conceded 20
Boston--rated for it's conservatism as OPP
posed to the speculative enterprise OF
modern finance. and controlled by the
Goddards.
The rivalry between the two is deep and
bitter and the head OF the Industrial
Trust company will never go 10 the senate
n the Rhode Island Hospital Trust COM
pany can prevent II.
Two blocks west. on the opposite side OF
wsbtminster street, is the modern sky
tc/aper OF the Union Trust company.
Whether IL Is the fourth or fifth largest
financial institution Is not material The
important fact, so far as IL relates 10 poll
ties and the public affairs OF the state. is
that Its president Is Marsden j. Perry,
once a pawnbroker and candy merchant
on North Main street: today the man who
owns Rhode Island.
On the top floor OF the bank building.
a. ornate and expensive In its Interior
decorations as any In this country. where
q window glance practically sweeps the
state. Mr.. Perry sits every day with his
fingers on the wires that control the ac-
tivities OF the state-Boss Brayton, the
general assembly, the municipal council,
the public utility corporations. and, so far
as II r. not affected by the opposition Of
the Industrial Trust. the Rhode Island
Hospital Trust and the few other finan-
cial concerns that venture TO show their
heads, the entire business life Of the city.
His domination In nearly all di-
rections. although he keeps modestly
out OF sight. is measurably complete,
and he issued his orders with an au-
dacity that is almost brutal
Mr.. Perry.s political and financial
affiliations are with the Aldrich Colt
interests. and his influence will, OF
course, be thrown 10 the Colt candi-
dacy--at least In Its preliminary
stages. There are those who believe
that X Wetmore. Colt and Goddard
kill of each other, Perry would not
object to stepping up and taking the
senatorship for himself
NJ In
the community Is negative quantity.
His social ambitions he has not been
able to crafty. Although man or
good address, correct habits, appar-
emily. wide reading, artistic culture
and refined tastes. he can make no
headway toward the goal OF the am
bition OF his later life.
He had sufficient power TO get an
act by the general assembly to ad
Just a matter concerning his purely
private and personal comfort, an act
30 In violation to public sentiment that
II was soon afterward repealed He
cannot get social recognition from
the Browns. Goddards, Gammells and
other old and established families who
pose as, and probably are, the best
element.
He lives In one OF the oldest and
finest OF the charming mansions. built
q century ago, and has what is said
valuable collection OF Shakesperiana
extant, but he cannot become mem
ber OF the Hope or Akawam Hunt the
two fashionable clubs OF this city, and
he cannot get even a nod of recogni-
tion from certain men whose homes
and Offices are within a stones throw
OF his own.
He owns railroads and private cars
and, I'm a way, Is a public spirited and
liberal in his contributions TO worthy
objects, public and private. but the
doors at which he most persistently
knocks are as persistently closed In
his face. Newport is no less adamant
in this respect than Providence, OF
which II is a suburb
Still all the senatorial candidates Will
have TO reckon with Marsden j.. Perry
before the campaign r. over. The God
cards will not do so In the first person,
Of course, but that will be their loss, not
his.
The oligarchy that has ruled so long
will some day be destroyed IL cannot
continue under the pressure Of modern
progress In governmental reform-na-
tionaL state and municipal There must
be a change soon or lote-the time will
be determined by circumstances
ITO pass or defeat a bill in the general
assembly II II necessary only 10 see 'Bos'
Trayton; TO enact municial ordinance it
is only necessary that II should have
Perry's endorsement That Is this has
been so Braytons bosses. however,
are already preparing TO unload him IN
the fact OF outraged public opinion. and
only a few weeks ago In public gave
Perry a lesson the limitations OF the