The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-09
JUDGE HARRIS
WILL REMAIN IN
POLITICAL GAME

mo. I am not out OF politics, but
really haven't given the subject three
hours consideration since the general as
sembly adjourned. I don't know wheth-
er. II my constituents desired me to run
again, or my business allowed me to
comply with their wishes. would be
willing 10 do 80 or not. The fact 10 that
have not considered the qcestion." said
.sudge James Harris. RepublicaIs ieader
in the last houre OF representatives. when
politics.
"I had 10 neglect my business. as most
other men do who go 10 the legislature.
he said "I did not even find the time 10
attend to my correspondence and found
such an accumulation OF business hero
in the office when the assembly adjourn
ed that / have not had time TO consider
much else.
"I do not despair OF the success OF the
Republican party in the state or the ma
ton. Whether ! remain in politics, or
get out. I shall always retain deep in
terest In II. The people and the party
have used me we'll ] have no fault 10
lieve that the best interests of the state
require the continued domina tion OF it's
government by the Republican party.
Moreover, / believe that there was
never a more remarkable manifestation
of the fact that this state is still Re-
OF the partys strength. than was given
at the last state election. Then. with
an alliance of all the inharmonious
elements-the ministers. the gamblers,
the Lincolnites and Democrats and
against other things l will not men,
tion-the Republican party triumphed
most signally. electing every candidate
on its state ticket. with the exception
OF governor. by about 5000 plurality
and carrying the general assembly by
2s majority
'T do not believe that such n power
ful coalition can ever again be made
against the Republican party in this
state, or that there was anything IN
the result OF that election which should
discourage any good Republican
'T make no prediction. but under the
circumstances that developed, after
election-t refer TO the division over
the senatorship-I do not believe that
historically any party has ever gone
through such contest long drawn
out deadlock continuing three months
and emerged with less ill-feeling than
was manifested at the time or that
has followed It, still believe that
Col Samuel Pomeroy Colt should have
been elected / do not see how any
party can expect to appeal to the
people IL it does not believe I'm ma
jority rule. II may not be imperative
for individuals TO be so governed, but
parties are always governed in that
way. and as Col. Colt had a majority
of the Republicans. in both branches,
from the start TO the finish OF the
voting. he should have been the party's
nominee as he was the choice OF the
party organization.
whether the Democrats and their al
lies make the senatorship the principal
issue this fall or not will not alter my
conviction, which is the conviction OF
most Republicans who have given the
subject eny consideration. that II is not
their chef issue. Their main object Is
10 bring about a constitutional conven-
tion in order to put the control OF the
state into the hands OF the cities or Prov
idence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, Newport
and Central Falls.
"Hepublicans who don't give the sub
iect much thought have been so long ac-
eustomed TO Republican ascendancy I'm
the state that they take Its continued
control as a matter OF course and II II
Upon their Indifference. or heedlessness,
that the Democrats reckon most largely
In their efforts TO get into power
"'rho Republicans In the last general
assembly were not fooled into lndorsing
any Democratic measures. They never
divided on party measures, however they
divided on their personal preferences for
United States senator. Not a single
breach was made in the Republican ranks
on any purely political issue. and I be-
lieye the Republicans will continue 10
stand together on party questions as
ageinst the common enemy"