The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-10-31


embarrassing questions were aimed. sena-
tor Gardner took up. issue by issue. the
various points upon which, he declared, the
people OF the state demanded an expla-
nation from Mr.. Wetmore.
"I ask him 10 tell us whether there Is
any single year since 1896 in which he has
not paid money to Mr.. Brayton," said the
senator 81 will ask him, IL he Is willing
: TO do so, the amount OF these payments,
and / will leave the people To judge
4 whether they have not been really large
| too large even for the legitimate ex-
penses of a campaign. ] will ask Mr..
Wetmore to state further whether In
making these appropriations he has taken
! any means to assure himself that they
were not To be used in the outright pur-
chase of votes"
Gov. Higgins repeated the pointed ques-
tions which he had raised on the public
platform during the campaign as to
whether Mr.. Wetmore will allow an In
vestigation of his books in order to show
that there have been no payments to
| Brayton.
| The speakers were introduced by Pat
rick ]. Boyle, former mayor of the city.
Rathbone Gardner.
Rathbone Gardner. the first speaker,
| said in part: when 1 was first assign
ed to speak In Newport this evening
deed, / have almost doubted the wisdom
of holding any meeting at all In this
city, and for this reason:
During the last two campaigns We
have sent to Newport the best men we
had our meetings have been largely at
tended and we have received every mani
festation of interest and approval, and
on both occasions we have been bitterly
disappointed But / believe that condi-
tions have changed. y
Success in Newport would mean to our
cause more than success anywhere else.
because Newport has so long held aloof
from IL. We believe that you can ana
will succeed. and no EFFORT on our par.
to contribute to that success VIII be with
held. Nevertheless, / believe that the
man who sincerely desired to help you
must tell you some disagreeable truths
and warn you bluntly of the peril TO the
reputation of your city which would be
involved in a continuance OF the policy
In accordance with which you have acted
OF late years.
.'The political standards Of the people
OF this city have seemed to be different
from those of any other community In
the state. Your action has apparently
been determined almost exclusively by
your feeling with reference to the candi-
dacy of one man. Our opponents nave
insisted that this Is the only question
deem II. we must consider IT.
THAT the Republicans. at least OF this
city. do believe the election OF Mr.. Wet
more TO the senate to be the sole issue
was made strikingly evident at the meet
ing which they held here last week. The
, remarks OF every speaker were devoted
almost exclusively to the claims OF that
gentleman upon the people OF Newport.
They told what he had done for the city
and it's citizens in various ways They
spoke of his generosity to the people.
They dwelt upon his personal qualities
They appealed TO local pride and seemed
to consider that the fact that he was a
citizen Of Newport was an all-sufficient
treason why the voters OF this city should
support him, irrespective OF any other
issue involved in the campaign.
THE MAIN ISSUE.
eff this Is for the people of Newport
the main issue today, then. to be per-
fectly frank. IL must be said that your
city exhibits an appearance or narrow
ness and provincialism which does not
commend II to other citizens OF the state.
II isolates you and sets you apart, as II
your interests were not common 10 the
interests OF your fellows.
But let me meet the gentlemen who
spoke the other evening. and especially
Mr. Wetmore, whose sentiments the other
speakers echoed, upon the issue which
| they have seen 1T to make. Mr.. Wet
more's speech was disappointing to those
who find tonight their only opportunity
to answer him from the same platform.
in that ne postponed to a future occa-
sion. namely. the meeting next Friday
evening, the greater part OF what he had
! to saw He stated that at that time hs
, would blow his own trumpet. he would
tell the people what he had done as Unit
ed states senator, he would accord. to use
| L. tn IL
statements made concerning me by the
Democrats and Lincoln Union platforms.
and that he would further prove at thai
| time that his career had not been char
acterized by a colorless medocrity.
"If this program Is carried out and thi.
speech is made, II will disclose to th'
people OF Rhode Island more news thar
| they have received In a decade and ex
ceed in interest any political address
| that has been delivered In the state with
| in that period IL is most unfortunat,
| that Il comes so late in the campaign
when, as have said. there is no oppor
tunity TO reply 10 IL In Newport. but al
dresses will be made elsewhere. both or
Saturday and Monday, which we hope
will be fully reported and which the peo'
pie of Newport should take occasion 70
read.
wETMoRE'S DEMALS.
But enough was said by Mr.. Wetmore
at the meeting already held TO justify
extended comment. To group his state
Iments. they amount to this:
THAT the Republican League has not
raised a large corruption fund
"That Mr.. wetmore did not attempt 10
secure the United states senatorshlp
through Mr.. Brayton. and was not during
he contest OF last winter acting under
| Mr. Brayton's advice.
THAT his wealth has not been used for
Il 90. a
| Braytonism.
''That his actual interests are within
he state OF Rhode Island and not beyond
| - borders.
| THAT II is a matter OF Indifference 10
| rim whether he has made any impression
| ipon the senate or the country or has
,nunciated any views OF the government
| 40 long as he has been OF use TO his
| state and his constituents.
1 "Ali these statements 4 desire 20 con-