The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-07-12
HAVE NOT THE NERVE TO
RUN AGAINST HIGGINS

Possible candidates for the Republican
gubernatorial nomination are exceedingly
scarce.
Men whose names are merely mentioned
In connection Herewith appear to be flee
ing as from the breath of a pestilence.
They don't want TO make the fight
against the popular governor OF Rhode
Island, James II. Higgins. and they don't
want to lead forlorn hope anyway un-
der the peculiar conditions which must
be met and explained this year.
When Gen. William Ames, whose name
has been mentioned. as 1t has been for
years, was asked whether he was con-
sidering the subject the general said he
was not I'VE understood. general" ne
was told, that you were OF studious.
retiring disposition, and while the promo
ton of the states welfare was your earn
est desire you preferred the quietude or
your study TO the turmoil OF politics"
THAT hit the nail right on the head"
said the general, who would be admitted
ly one OF the most popular candidates the
Republicans could select. "I am not in
politics. 1 am something OF a plain, un-
ambitious Rhode Island farmer"
UTTER AS A SACRIFICE.
Some friends of ex-Gov. George II. Ut
ter do not take kindly to the desire mani
tested in some quarters to offer him up
on the altar OF sacrifice next fall as the
gubernatorial nominee for a fourth time.
HE has been governor twice and defeat
ed once" said one Wetmore man today.
"Why should we even UP his defeats by
naming him again, especially when few
members OF the Down and out club ever
come back. That is as true of politics
as IL is OF pugilism, politics being merely
another kind of lighting game.
Those who talk OF Utter for another
term would do we'll to consult the ex-gov-
ernor first. He Is In retirement at Wester-
ly and paying some attention to his news
paper. do not believe that he is banker
ing for the task OF going against that
young political cyclone Higgins again."
JOE" BURLINGAME.
The name OF Hon. Joseph Z. Burlin-
game, chairman of the Republican league
of Rhode Island. manager OF the Wet
more campaign since the general assem-
bly, ended its labors and state railroad
commissioner, has been heard as pos
sible nominee. but friends OF the former
speaker OF the house of representatives
say It would not be wise for him TO run
this year. at least
Perhaps, they believe the wounds
caused by the Wetmore-Colt contest have
not sufficiently healed 10 rebound to the
benefit of the man who did so much to
cause wetmore's selection by the Repub-
lican state central committee two weeks
ago Others say that the ex-speaker's busl-
ness interests would not permit him to
undertake the campaign without having
to make a large sacrifice.
Joseph +. Burlingame is pretty
level headed chap" said well-known
Democrat today, when his attention
was called 20 the rumor He has
zeal for the Wetmore cause and he has
also an eye for the main chance.
Doubtless nothing would please him
better personally than 10 force the
orders of the boss when he was
speaker a few years ago, to make him
this year the cornerstone OF its crumb-
ling political edihce. but the very fact
that that edifice IS crumbling must be
az manifest TO the aforesaid Honor
able Joseph as it is TO the rest OF the
politically wise who are taking TO the
honor. and he isn't likely to permit any
gubernatorial bee TO sting him, at least
NEW MAN FAVORED.
There Is pronounced disposition In
some quarters that are likely 10 WELD n
considerable Influence at tho Republican
state convention TO try out n new man,
one unskilled i'm political chicanory, and
therefore unknown 10 the people. The
belief seems 20 be that such n man would
stand better chance Of winning than
would any OF the eminent statesmen
whose names have been used To conjure
with for years, but seem to have lost
their power I'm proportion as the people
got acquainted with them.
II believe" said ex-Cov. Charles Dean
KimbaA today, that II would not be q