The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-08-24
FRIDAY, AUGUST "a, 1906.
AS OTHERS SEE US.

1t is by no means an exaggerated view OF the
political situation in Rhode Island the repre-
sentative of the Philadelphia North American has
given his newspaper. He able during his
sojourn in the state 10 discover the evil of existing
conditions and the causes which have led the decent
citizenship, without regard TO political affiliations
TO unite in supreme effort to restore honest repre-
sentative government, which cunning and corrupt
Braytonism has so long suppressed.
In the course OF his article the North American
representative says WAR against corruption has
been declared, and because Rhode Island is prob
ably more corrupt politically than any other state
in the Union this declaration means war upon the
men who dominate the Republican party i'll the
state and manipulate legislation in the interest OF
the corporations they control"
This is not pleasant reading for the loyal
Rhode Islander, Jealous of the good name of the
state and its reputation arong sister common
weaths. The pity of it is that it is true. 1t cannot
be denied that political corruption is more open,
more brazen and more powerful here than else
where throughout the Union.
But il is not the people as a whole who are
corrupt Indeed, no considerable part of the cleo
torate is susceptible TO corruption. The corrupt
element is Braytonsm, and the venal minority that
Braytonsm controls and manipuates for the main
tenance of its malgn domination over the govern
ing and law-making branches of the government.
Colonel Goddard in his letter accepting the
nomination OF the peoples convention for the
United States senatorship stated the case exactly
when he declared: 1T is base caumny to say that
corruption is general among the people OF Rhode
Island The governing political machine is GER
tainly corrupt; and the people have submitted
tamey so long to its arrogant DEGREES that they
have become unjusty involved i'll the general
charges OF corruption made against the state
The unenvable reputation for political in
quity fastened upon the state, is due wholly TO
the open and impudent manner i'll which Brayton-
ism operates. This agency of political michef and
malevolence makes secret of its methods, and
with shamelessness that astounds the decent inn
pudently pumes itself achievements accom-
plished by corruption.
Braytonisms nfamies are not chargeable 20
the people as whole. They exist not because the
people countenanced or had part in the perpetra-
ton, but because the people in the past too
complacent to realize that Braytonism was forging
the fetters that would bind them in political
slavery.
Whatever corruption there exists among the
people of this state is to be found wholly in that
eight and one-half per cent of the population which
Dy Supllc SlODlC SuDSSINlSlSC W lNS ulSldthph
makes Braytonism possible and powerful The
great body of the Republican party is not corrupt
but it suffers under the stigma of corruption because
it has permitted Braytonism to continue the prac-
tce OF the most repeent corruption in its name
But primary responsibility for the evils and
iniquities that sorely affct the body polite rests
on an archaic and un-American constitution which
allows an insignificant minority to override and
govern the great majority.
Under an organic law that would permit no in
fringement OF the right OF the majority rule that
would give just representation to all the people
and guarantee equal rights to the entire electorate
Braytonism would never have been able to seize
the reins OF government, nor would its political
knavery have brought odum upon the common
wealth.
Braytonism could never dominate the whole
electorate 1t could gain ascendancy no con
siderable part OF it; but under the ancient and
inadequate constitution il has secured dictatorship
over fraction of eight and one-haf per cent OF
the population and this fraction is in the country
towns.
In these towns Braytonism has its strength
In these towns also is TO be found whatever cor
cupton there is among the people of Rhode Island.
This is the actual situation and the forces oi
reform realize fully that adequate remedy can be
found short OF the adoption OF a organic law.
The constitution Of Rhode Island nust be rewritten