The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-10-24
TELLS
WHY HONEST MEN
QUIT THE CO. P.


ing for two years. nominated me for men,
bership TO the legislature. and declined
the nomination in an open letter, I'm which
j said that / did so because / was not In
sympathy with the party purposes, the
party management, and with the other
nominees upon the ticket. was sthen
nominated for the same place by the
Democrats and Independents and was
elected
During the session, while sitting in my
seat in the house, / saw Gen. Brayton,
evidently under the influence of liquor.
stand in the entrance TO the house and
shout out, You lie TO a member OF the
house who was addressing II. I stood in
the cloak room and heard him tell the
country members how he intended to re-
ward them for their attendance and their
votes, i'm language which / have not the
hardlhood to repeat.
1.-THE next year Brayton, by his threats
to the liquor dealers, defeated my renom-
ination. and the denomination OF William
c. Baker Cyrus NJ Van Slyck. Samuel
Arnes and George r. McAuslan, by the
Democrats. l became more and more con-
vinced that action outside OF party for
the creation of public opinion was the
only remedy for the frightful evils. Pub
lie opinion began to crystalline, and Bish-
op McVickar became leader In its crea-
ton. His honesty OF purpose and his high
minded disinterestedness no one could
question. Just one man could be found
in the state who was so base as TO de-
fame him. That man was George Peabody
Wetmore. He held him up TO public ridi-
cule as a 'credulous priest who had per-
mitted himself to be deceived by men
whom he ought to have known better
than to have trusted.
Public opinion grew The New York
Post articles were printed and circulated.
The Rhode Island Citizens union was
formed.
I'm 1905 the Democratic party in this
city, and to some extent throughout the
state. placed in nomination for legisla-
ture Independents and reformers, myself
among the number. and they were defeat
ed.
THEN CAME GODDARD.
Last year our opportunity came. The
United States senator was to be elected.
The one man in the state who perhaps
more than any other possessed the su-
preme confidence and respect of the peo-
pie, a lifelong Republican, consented to
become our leader. and accepted the NOM
nation of the Democratic party for that
office. The Democratic party rose TO the
occasion. II did reform itself from within
and is doing so today. 1t placed In noml-
nation fer governor young man VINO
up TO the standard of our leader.
and who in behalf OF a great cause rose
above partisanship as truly as did he.
The Democrats Republicans and reform
ers became simply patriotic Rhode Island
ers, and as such won "A victory the effect
Of which can never be wholly lost.
THE fight is still on and ] thank God
that / am in it,
II make no apology for fighting the Re-
publican machine of this state, and for
allying myself for that purpose with the
Democrats. / make no apology for oppos-
ng the election to the United States SEN
ate OF a man who l believe to be the
chief supporter of corruption in Rhode Is
and, an enemy of good government, and
incompetent to discharge
pr even TO comprehend the duties OF that
II am willing to compare my pres
ent attitude with that of the gen.
.leman who accuses me. Mr.. Muir
dock stands where ] stood more
than "A dozen years ago, with more
knowledge than i had, and L sub
NIT. with less courage. He is a
lawyer OF excellent capacity. but
his rapid rise TO prominence at the
bar is due not to his capacity only.
He has influential friends TO whose
good offices, / take it, he will admit
his employment as special counsel
for the New York, New Haven and
Hartford Railroad company. as well
as by other prominent clients, Is
due These men are intensely in
terested In the maintenance of Re-
publican supremacy in state and
Union, and with the present dearth
OF young lawyers in the Republican
party they need his services and
support for the organization. He
L off oil nf he
ness of existing conditions. He
does not hesitate to admit 1t in
private conversation, but he de-
votes his undoubted ability to the
maintenance of a system which he
in his heart condemns, 10 please
The friends 70 whom have refer
red
He is b. no means a solitary
exception.
JACKSON A PLAYTHING.
II deny that have doubted Mr.. Jack
sons sincerity or motives. But for the
,ast three years he has manifested less
,ower TO discover what is going on than
my man who eve: stepped inside the
itate house Elec. him governor and he
VII never discover anything either. He
will be the merest plaything and the
ootball OF the men who hold the power
"Will Frederick II. Jackson point out
. NE Nntu duO NHeIc, III any PUBIC
itterance previous 10 last May, he ever
aid he believed In the overthrow OF po-
itical dictatorship. the comforting Of the
'eto power upon the governor or any
Il the other reforms he now stands for?
Does lie know, is he able to comprehend.
What larger powers for the governor
means? What the governor ought to have
5 an executive power. The man who Is
elected by 5000 votes Is overruled. in
xecutive matters even. by 20 senator's
Who poll an aggregate Of a few over 1000
'otes.
mir. Jackson also tells OF the proposed
mendments TO the constitution which
he Democrats defeated In 1898. Those
Imen1ments proposed were put out 10
he people and devised TO be beaten. so
hat the Republicans could argue that
hey had, done something. IL was never
Intended by the Republicans themselves
hat they should pass. There is not the
l'ghtest evidence that the Republican
.arty has ever intended TO give the peo-
We genuine constitutional reform.
"As to the removal of Gen. Brayton
rom the state house, Mr.. jackson him
elf Will not say that he ever took the
irst step in this matter until Gov. Hig-
iins created a public sentiment that no
'olltician could resist. His motives may