The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-08
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1906.
PROGRESS OF THE REFORM BATTLE

Island is moving forward with force and certainty
that given cheering assurance of complete victory
The convention held in May last by which Colonel
Robert II. /. Goddard was made the unanimous
choice of the forces OF reform for the Office OF
United States senator marked new and tremen-
ldously important change in political procedure in
this state.
Up to that time the electorate had little
knowledge OF the men who sought their support
at the polls Conventions were held only two or
three weeks in advance of the election and the inter
vening time not sufficient to permit either
proper scrutiny of the character and fitness of
ldidates careful consideration of the principles
they maintained
All this has been changed so far as the Demo
Drratc and Lnconite parties are concerned and as
these parties represent today the honest and reput
able citizenship of the commonwealth, they speak
and act for the vast majority of the people.
Pursuing this policy OF giving the electors
ample time for thoughtful examination of issues
and men the Democratic state central committee
at its session yesterday decided to issue call for
state and congressional conventions to be held in
this city on "Wednesday, Oct. 3.
AS the election will occur on Nov. 9, the fixing
OF this date gives little more than month"; during
which the people of Rhode Island may thoroughly
satisfy themselves concerning the character and
calibre of the candidates named by the parties OF
reform and the wisdom and desirability of the
issues upon which they ask preferment
The significance OF this movement is obvious
1t shows that the parties of reform, Democrats and
Lincolnites court the most searching investigation
into the character and qualifications of the
they would entrust with the governing and law
making functions, and the most thoughtful
animation of the principles which they would
tabsh as the public policy of the state.
Conviction of the worthiness of their candi-
dates and the justice and righteousness of their
cause has prompted the forces of reform to this
radical departure from political methods that have
heretofore obtained in Rhode Island.
In significant contrast is this frank and fear
less procedure with the secret and sinister man
ipulatons of discredited Braytonisn. The Repub-
lican party burdened and dominated by that maehc
influence, can neither its candidates, frame
its platform give the people opportunity to
scrutinize either.
The people of the entire state have had before
them nearly three months the senatorial candidate
of the parties of reform, and have during that time
been considering the principles he maintains
nounced in his letter of acceptance. The rank and
file of the Republican party does not know today
whether Senator Wetmore will be named to oppose
SOlOncl GOuud1u, OF whether SOlOnel Samuel l..
Colt will displace the Newport man as the Republi-
can nominee.
Nor is it at all certain they will have any more
definite knowledge when they go to the polls on
November next. Braytonism is playing crafty
and despcable game with the senatorial nomination
Secretly it has decfeed the ousting of Wetmore
in favor of Colt, but, with characteristic duplicty
it denies its netherworld conspiracy against the
present junior senator.
Braytonism, selfish and constituencies intends
TO secure the financial assistance of Wetmore and
the voting strength OF Wetmore's friends at the
election. After the votes are counted it will have
compunction in louting both and naming Colt
for the United States senatorship
In its anxiety to avoid forcing of its hand
Braytonism will delay the calling OF the Repub-
can conventions until as late date as deoency will
permit That is its usual method Ii shuns public
discussion OF candidates issues even in the party
it rules so despotically and mchievously.
But its familiar chicane and trickery will not
avail in this campaign. 1t is by a united and mil
tant people battling TO their stolen rights
Braytonism is confronted, not by single party
lacking in the means and machinery of successful
political warfare. SO large is written the doom OF
Braytonism that only the blind cannot read IT,