The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-10-30
TELLING REFORM BLOWS
DEALT IN BRISTOL COUNTY
COL Goddard Gov Higgins Ratbone Gardner James jerks
and James Williams Speak Big and Enthusiastic Crowds
Warren and Darlington.
YER and wherever It is needed.

ever and wherever II is needed"
Chairman o. s. Anthony introduced
Governor Higgins. who said in part:
GOVERNOR HITS HARD
1T is gratifying TO me TO find persons
who are willing TO cast aside party affili-
ations for the sake of common cause
ut Is not against Brayton alone that
we must work. II Is against his principles.
We must eradicate that system OF pur-
chasing or defeating legislation by the
use OF money. II you ask me II this is
done by actual bribery / would say no.
i do not believe thS majority OF the
assemblymen can be corrupted or pur-
chased in that way. But they are so
much in Brayton's power that their vot-
ing is preJudiced.
II personally know the Republican
candidate for senator from harrington,
John Richmond. He Is OF kindly disposi-
ton and honest. But why does he con-
meet himself with such a system as that
of Brayton? We have. unfortunately
many honest men who will take advan-
tage of corrupt practices TO get political
fame.
The system Of Braytonism began be-
fore the day of Brayton. II he has truly
gone out OF politics in Rhode Island
forever / will forgive his shortcomings,
but his system I will never forgive
II have known one member OF the Re-
publican League who said that the sys-
for the state. They think that II is
good TO be able To buy legislation. In
order TO prevent freak legislation. Can't
every man see the weakness and fallacy
of this system?
"If II were possible for the majority
of people to s1y what they wanted. they
would not lose much time In doing so.
But we in Rhode Island cannot do 50.
The balance OF power Hes in the general
assembly.
There is practically no executive de-
partment in the state OF Rhode Island.
/ believe that the gain which will come
TO the country towns by the abolition of
Braytonism will greatly outweigh the
loss of any power held under the system
CAN'T TRUST REPUBLICANS.
"In last years Republican platform
they promised you bank examiner, but
now you see how we'll they have kept
their word. In their campaign last year
a congressman stated that there was no
boss and yet within five minutes the
Republican governor, from the same
platform, admitted there was one, that
his name was Brayton and that he was
a menace to the state
But now they come before you and
say they admit they were wrong and
that our statements in last years cam
paign were true. Yet they ask you to
reinstate them because they are the real
reformers.
1.-The power of the governor TO name
certain officials, called the appointive
power, Is essentially an executive power.
Here in Rhode Island now, this power
lies almost entirely in the senate. All
the senate has to do to exercise this
power Is to lay the governors nominees
meme upon the table three days. They
are then by law all owed to make their
own selections.
"You In harrington have an excep-
tionally good chance to show your opinion
on this appointive power question. II
you vote for Mr.. Norton for senator and
Mr. Martin for representative. you will
BE- sure they will favor such power, while
on the other hand. the other party's can
didates will oppose ST.
IF the constitution OF the state Is to
be reformed IL should be done by It's
friends. IL should be done by persons
who for years have been trying to re-
form IT,
''There is one more important question.
that OF a United States senator. The Lin
coin Union and Democratic nominees have
declared that they will vote for Robert
II. J. Goddard. IL elected to the grand
committee. The Republican nominees say
they will vote Tor George Peabody Wet
more. 1t is for you to decide which one
you will support
I'VE have challenged and we have ask
ed Mr.. Wetmore certain relevant ques-
tions about his senatorial candidacy, but
he has not answered them.
George Peabody Wetmore has done
more TO promote and maintain Brayton-
ism in this state than any other man In
this state. And he has done II through
his great wealth.
'IIe has paid Brayton innumerable fees
for the purpose OF gaining political power.
and Brayton has used these fees in get
ting or keeping control OF the Republi-
can legislators
SENATOR JENKs
Senator James L. jerks of Pawtucket
spoke upon the issues of the Lincoln
Union, and told how they coincided with
those OF the Democratic party this year.
He explained his connection with the Lin
coin Union, saying that he could not re-
main in n party which had such corrupt
methods as the Republican I'm this state.
RATHBONE GARDNER.
Rathbone Gardner said that he would
not give the address which he wished to
present 10 the voters of Darlington
81 wanted 10 talk TO you for an hour or
So" he said "but cannot do so now, |
will wait until another time. which
trust will be soon.
There are probably several things that
the Democratic and Lincoln parties favor
that you do not approve Of IL I had
time l would take them up and try to
explain them to YOU But you probably
do agree that the governor should have
the veto power. 10 an extent which would
make it OF value to the people through
the governor.
"You also will probably agree that he
should have the appointive power. You
probably want TO see a corrupt practices
act passed. and many other things for
which We are working But you probably
do not agree with me when I say that
the small towns have unjust representa-
tion.
You will find that both parties desire
certain reforms. Will you accomplish
these reforms through that party and
those men who for years have been striv-
ing for them, or through those men who
have up to the present year claimed that