The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-10-29

Newport, Oct 29.-In but one city or
community. in the state of Rhode Island,
IS there apparent any sentiment favoring
the return OF George Peabody Wetmore
10 the senate. to represent for another six
years this distinctly commercial corner of
New England. In but one city is this gen.
tleman, whose ambition to shine In Wash
ington, the society centre OF the country
In the winter thus rounding out a COM
plete year of contact and intercourse Eith
the favored few which constitutes the
sef-styled nobility OF the United States.
known except In name.
For IL years Mr.. Wetmore has spent his
summers In Newport and, thanks TO the
power of money and his unquenchable
ambition to retain his membership In the
i"Swellest club in America" his winters
In Washington. With every opportunity
his that lay In the grasp of innumerable
noble men from other states In the coun-
try, to accomplish deeds that have made
other men famous. and have aroused the
pride OF a grateful people. this man has
been content with the gratifying OF per-
'sonal desires and the satisfaction OF win
ming his several contests.
ONCE PROUD OF HIM.
The position that Newport In the past
has taken. has been after all not unnat-
ural one, and its citizens could not have
been blamed for rallying around the Wet
them. for the three months OF the year.
and even though he was but known as a
summer resident, known not perhaps as
we'll as many others who moved into the
city In the spring and seemed all too
quickly 10 go again, still 1t was something
to be proud of, something that a man
claiming that "city by the sea" as his
home should register. on his arrival In the
Capitol City. as a senator from Rhode
Island, residence Newport. We question,
If In those days the voter for a moment
thought of favors at his hands, through
his efforts In the guiding of legislation.
Twelve years ago the citizenship of our
sister city were content In the fact That
they were dwellers or business men In
summer resort city. Catering at all times
10 the few hundred families who nad
builded beautiful residences L.. South
Newport. and spent, foi a few months,
the money necessary To provide them
selves and their servants with rare
viands and drinkables, or covered the
cost OF repairs and the building ficm
time to time of additions and Improve
ments. When they cast their vote, their
individual effort TO mako his election GER
tain, IL was meant as a compliment to
him, a compliment that would have been
paid to any one, of the numerou, members
OF the smart set had another been the
candidate, instead OF the well-groomed
George Peabody Wetmore.
COMMERCIAL SPIRIT GROWS.
In the past IL years, there has been de-
veloping, however, in this summer resort
city down the bay a commercial spirit.
due perhaps in large part, TO the increase
In the number of mercantile establish
ments. Where u years ago there was
one store. today there are five, where IL
years ago all the groceries and small
wares, purchased by the people on the
hill. passed through the hands OF local
merchants.0 the profits from such Sales
making hearts glad and pocketbooks
swell. today large part of this trading
is done In the larger centres, with the re-
suit, that merchants whose investments
are made and who find IL impossible tD
pull UP stakes and HE away to more lu-
crative soil, gee everything as IL was. as
far as life and activity In concerned i'm
the summer. but their sales woefully de-
preciated and their incomes consequently
curtailed. In the olden days of summer
prosperity there was business enough for
all, newcomers were welcomed. and with
the older merchants. they, too. prospered
and were glad. The change came gradu-
ally. Too late to see the breakers ahead.
the business man found himself, when he
awoke obliged 10 stay where he was
even though the position was most un-
comfortable Society leaders had ordain-
cd that there should be no more families
or individuals welcomed TO their chosen
centre. so the doors were. figuratively
speaking. closed and barred. There could
be no more building OF consequence. for