The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-18
THE INDEPENDENT VOTE.

Governor Utter, in yesterday S issue OF HIS
newspaper the Westerly Sun, has very interest
;no and pointed editorial article on "The indie
pendent Voter" The governor explains that IN his
view the real Independent voter is one VINO IS
influenced in his action at the polls by the issues
presented and the candidates named, and, he adds :
"There is doubt but that KIND OF voter Is III
creasing in numbers.
After pointing out that party leaders under
stand this fact, though they may be slow to act IN
accord with it, Governor Utter goes on to say:
at is difficult for them to appreciate that the
simple naming of candidate is not enough to IN
sure full party support. But the fact is that the
personality of candidate is much considered now
a-davs Men who are VIGOROUSLY unfit Tor pubic
trust or those whose personal life is not such as 20
meet with popular approval, are seriously handi-
canned in contest for Office and this fact is appre-
ciated by the leaders generally. The growing
strength of the independent voter is a good sign
ior the state. 1t means greater care III the cholce
of candidates, and greater watchiulness that the
office seeks the man rather than the man the office
All this is unquestionably true, but it does not
account for the large and increasing number CT
independent voters in Rhode Island, because 1t does
not go far enough Undoubtedly the naming LOT
publc office of men who, if not positively unht nave
little else to recommend them than partisan service
has had some influence in charging the independent
vote. -.
affiliations, which it cannot be denied has been
confined almost wholly to men originally protesting
claim of the unworthiness OF candidates put ;or-
ward as representatives OF the party.
The cause of the severance OF party ties lies
much deeper and is far more sinister than the ques-
ton OF the character or capabity OF candidates
II is TO be found in the malevolent operation OF
political machine corrupt itself and corruptive OF all
who come within its evil influence machine that
has secured male6c control of the governing and
law making functions, and is known to the people
within and without the state as Braytonism
It ,c
puppets Braytonism has put into office, that has
driven decent and self-respecting members out
of the Republican party by thousands, and caused
them TO rally under the banner OF independence
These men are not false TO their political faith
they are not mercenaries, but possess active and
sensitive civic conscience that revolts at the out
RACES and infames perpetrated by Braytonsm III
the name of Republicanisn They have seen their
party made the instrument by which selfSeek
ing and malign oligarchy has entrenched itself at
the state house and established political dictator
ship that has suppressed popular rights and brought
pdium on the state
They have seen representative government
thrust out and government by corrupt machine
set up in its place; they have seen supine legsla-
ture pass laws at the dictation OF Braytonsm and
for which Braytonism demanded and collected pay {;
they have seen wise measures designed ior the
promotion of the public welfare deliberately
straneled at Braytonisms command, and they nave
seen municipalities within the state wantonly
despoed OF the right OF local self-government in
order that Braytonism might strengthen and maia-
tain its mischievous power.
Infames such as these have forced
reputable Republicans to throw off the bonds OF
party and ally themselves with the forces OF reform
that seek by destroying Braytonism 10 re-estabish
honest, representative government in this com
monwealth.
Governor Utter must be curiously lacking III
the power of observation il he has not discovered
that the militant spirit and the steady growth OF he
independent movement in Rhode Island is the out
come of determination on the part of honest citi-
gems of all parties to cast out Braytonsm.
He must be singularly obtuse II he does not
realize that the one dominant and overshadowing
issue in this campaign in not whether Roosevelts
policies shall be endorsed or disapproved, as Bray
tonsm in its desperate attempt TO divert attention
from its own iniquities, would have the people be-
heve but the flcher of public rights the tratickcr
In legislation. the debaucher OF the electorate
Braytonism.
II he takes the trouble 20 look about him Gov
ernor Utter will be speedily convinced that the
creasing strength Of the independent vote means
much more than greater in the choice OF can
didates and greater watchfuness that the Office
seeks the man rather than the man the Office
He will learn that it means the destruction OF
Braytonism and the reputation of every candidate
himself included, who comes before the electorate
with the endorsement of Braytonism.
THE INSURANCE FIGHT.