The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-10-15

the office of governor or the election OF
Charles Sisson as lieutenant. vote for the
latter, because his election means a vote
for Col. r. III. l. Goddard for the United
states senate. while my election would
not add a single vote for Col. Goddard.
HIGGINS ON BRAYTON.
"A year ago this time i declared in the
campaign then on hand that IL elected TO
the governorship ! would do everything
within my power TO drive Charles r.
lBrayton from the halls OF the state
House and TO destroy his influence over
Rhode Island legislation. My statement
was hailed by my opponent as being the
statement OF a demagogue or OF one who
was relying upon the Ignorance of his
hearers
1T is not for me to say whose conten-
ton was correct a THAT time. but de-
sire simply to call your attention to the
public letter OF one Charles r. Brayton.
dated Oct. g. 1907, and published In the
press on Oct IL, 1907. in which he fol-
lowing words are used: And I there
fore assure you that I will not occupy
the office OF the sheriff at the State
House as my headquarters during the
session of the legislature, nor use that
office for the purpose of transacting any
legislative or political business
so far. therefore. as the occupancy
| OF the sheriff's office Is concerned,
am pleased to announce to you in less
than 10 months from Inauguration day
| the boss has abjectly and Internationally
surrendered. So far. gentlemen, as the
further use of room 207 Is concerned
Rhode Island is no longer a state for
| sale
For 30 years this notorious character
has held forth at our capitol in bold
| reliance OF public decency. Republican
governors, year in and year out, have
meekly submitted to his brazen domina-
ton. They have looked on with passive
i ND fnln f..v a.
encouragement, at his daily presence at
the sessions of the legislature.
| In this connection have a word to
say concerning the candidacy of my dis
tnguished opponent and let me say right
here. that In any discussion concerning
| him | wish to affirm my high personal
appreciation OF him as a man. Ny cria-
cisms, therefore. are entirely of his poll
| tical, not his personal. conduct
AS TO JACKSON.
| "Braytons letter announcing his COM
plete surrender was addressed to the
lieutenant governor. The latter has, for
three years, been elected to the office OF
lieutenant governor. and IL 1t is true
that he has now forced Braytons de-
parture from the capitol why I'm the
name OF common sense and common de-
cency did he not do Il three years ago :?
I'm other words, when Brayton's ring
came to him with the nomination for
lieutenant governor In 1904. IL was his
duty then TO have said, as he is alleged to
nave said when the nomination for the
governorship was offered him: We'll, gen.
! uemen, i cannot accept your nomination
unless you eliminate Brayton from the
! capitol Why did he not say so then?
! simply because Brayton's power was so
supreme that he knew that it would be
political inexpediency for him to oppose
| the boss.
There is no logical escape from the
4 10 MI
| pediency above his sacred duty to the
| people or Rhode Island He was elected
| IN 1904 and he sat in the state house
| during the legislative session in 1905.
where he saw Brayton daily at the
! capitol He saw, or should have seen.
the old boss bludgeoning assembymen
into obedience each day: holding up or
! passing every matter of legislation az his
VIII; debating the entire policy of the Re-
publican party in selling laws and offices
with the same nonchalance that the
| wholesale groceryman parcels out his
fruit and vegetables In yonder market
| place
The lieutenant governor knew abso-
/ luteIy everything about all this rotten
| ness and infamy. and yet. not condi-
tfon in his acceptance of the nomination.
not bill ever came from him to prevent
lobbying at the state house. not one
sign so far as the outer world knows.
| that he possessed either a conscience or
a tongue.
! Il want to know, Mr.. Lieutenant Gov
ernor. and / think the people of Rhode
Island want to know. why II Is. II ymIr
are so hostile TO Braytonism now. that
YOU did not act I'm 1905 when you saw
this wretched condition of affairs? We
want to know why II Is you did not act
before somebody else forced the issue
and carried It to a successful termination
without you?
"I'hey cannot eeca IA 4ho ......, -
clusion that your only object at this time
Is DO get aboard the anti-Brayton band
wagon and ride into office on issues and
sentiments proclaimed and fought by
others, but which you neglected to take
adVantage OF when opportunity knocked
so aluringly at your door.
SO far as this question Is concerned.
therefore, ] have only TO say to him. as
sad TO his predecessor that his re-
pentance is an eleventh-hour repentance
/ ann ought to have been made three years
| ago.
WHY SILENT so LONG.
| The governor called attention TO tho
same silence OF the lieutenant governor
on the veto power bank examiner and
i,ncreased IN, representation questions. which
ne had ample time for three years past
added:
Again. gentlemen. If he is sincere in
MS protestations OF anti-bossism, does he
| think he Will satisfy popular sentiment
by merely conditioning against Brayton
himself? Is he against Brayton. but In
| favor Of Praytonlsm2 Is he against
! Brayton and I'm favor of Sheriff White.
who has kept the boss In his office these
many years. We have pledged the peo-
pie OF Rhode Island that II intrusted
| with the power 20 do so will drive
J High She-In White from the state house.
"Will he or his party drive White out
1 IL elected TO office FOR the ensuing ycar2
| Again. gentlemen. he Processes his op-
| position 10 Brayton and yet he stands on
| a platform which indorses Braytons
| leading spokesman and patron. George
! Peabody Wetmoro He knows that SEN
ator Wetmore has been the one great
element IN retaining Braytonism in this
state for the past generation.
can hv sincerely be against the boss.
therefore. and AZ the same time be In
favor OF his almoner? Can he blow hot
and blow cold In one and the Same
breath? Is he sincere and straightfor-
ward in any OF these matters, or II no
Just using them AZ stepping stones to
higher power7'
EDwARp NJ. SULLIVAN