The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-06-29

With the meeting of the Republican
state central committee 10 select a condi-
date for United States senator less than
As hours away, the two factions into
which Brayton's mismanagement has
divided the Republican party. are about
as hopelessly at sea as they were when
the legislature adjourned last April,
though Wetmore men are claiming to con-
troll the committee.
On the one side are solidly arrayed the
George Peabody Wetmore adherents, firm
In their determination to give the New
York-Newport man another term In the
Millionaires' club at Washington, despite
his protestations OF party loyalty few
months ago, when he was only too willing
to withdraw in favor OF a compromise
candidate, provided only that Samuel
Pomeroy Colt withdrew likewise. Doubt
less both candidates contributed hand
somely to the state committees campaign
fund, and both deserved we'll OF the party
organization, from the organization
standpoint, but neither, apparently, was
acceptable to the great mass of the peo-
pe who voted for candidates pladged to
Col. Revert Hale Ives Goddard. and
neither, 1t would appear. can unite the
party at this time, whatever may be said
TO the advantage of the many candidates
whose names are being urged as possible
political solvents.
TIED TO wETMORE.
The Wetmore men pretend to be in
favor of some candidate who will be able
to unite the Republicans of the state"
said one prominent Republican who will
take part In Mondays conference, but
they are actually tied so closely TO the
ex-senator that they can see no other
candidate. and appear not to want to see
anybody else. though the claims of sew
eral eminently well qualified men have
been presented to them.
I'VE believe that the ex-senator's course
during the voting for United States sena-
tor by the last legislature has irrevocably
alienated so many good Republicans who
believe in party loyalty that they would
not vote for assembly candidates who
may be pledged to Wetmore under any
circumstances. We believe that the with
drawal OF Col. Samuel Pomeroy Colt with
out any conditions whatever, was an ex-
ample in the interest OF harmony which
the ex-senator who has been so long hon
ored by his party should not hesitate to
follow, even though IL might wound his
self-esteem to withdraw at this late date
and see another grasp the seat In which
he seems to believe he has acquired
kind OF vested interest.
COMPROMISE WANTED.
with Wetmore out of the race the field
would be clear for the Republicans Of the
state at large TO get together and agree
upon a representative citizen OF wide pop
ularity who could unite the two factions
into which the party is now unfortunately
divided and could probably be elected.
with such a candidate there would be
no knifina no fishing parties, no serious
defections Of any kind. Without such
candidate and with only Wetmore as the
party candidate against Col. Goddard the
result, 1t would appear. would be a fore
gone conclusion I'm favor OF the Demo-
cratic-Independent nominee.
where the Wetmore men got the logic
of their claim that the candidacy of Col,
Colt would ruin the Republican party and
the candidacy OF wetmoSs will save IL L
fail to see I'm view of Wetmore's contu-
r~acious refusal to abide by the decision
OF a majority OF his party's representa-
tives I'm each branch OF the legislature.
Does he expect the men who voted against
him then to stulify themselves by Young
in his favor next year. or does he bo-
leve that he can succeed in sidetrackng
them without a bitter and costly strig-
gle at the fail caucuses, and naming men
who will view with more favor MS pre-
| tensions to the senatorial seat?
such a struggle would necessarily
| mean reaction against the entire
party and would prove dear In the loss
OF assembly seats-of which we did I no'
ture A change OF only one town,
Warwick. would give the Democrats
control OF the house. reversal OF 40
general assembly. The Republican ma
| iority I'm several towns was so small
| last year that a detection OF per
cent of the Republican vote would
| mean Democratic control. Can we
afford TO risk this loss with wetmore
as the senatorial candidate2
| POSSIBLE CANDIDATES.
| NOW there is Gen. William Ames
/ n fine man. a Wetmore supporter, who
would make an acceptable candidate
/ FOR those who believe i'm party har-
mony. The Colt men would not hesi-
| tate TO support him. There is Judge
| IeBaron H. Colt. who Is not n
| politician. but Is eminently well auali-
/ fed for the position. and would prob
| ably be able TO command the support
his brother, the colonel, and could not