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

The two wings of a sadly divided Republican
party face the most serious crisis that has
been presented since they began the pursuit of the
senatorship. They will attempt to grapple with
and solve the problem presented 10 them at the
meeting of the Republican state committee next
Monday. There have been endless conferences in
the interest of harmony; Col. Samuel Pomeroy
Colt has withdrawn from the senatorial contest,
primarily he states, to the same end and pressure
is being brought from far and near to induce
agreement upon some candidate who can unite the
party even though he may not be able TO win
against the rapid growth of popular sentiment in
favor of the peoples candidate Col. Robert Hale
Ives Goddard.
Ex-senator George Peabody Wetmore, behind
whom has been Charles R. Brayton for nearly 20
years. is endeavoring TO regain the seat in the
"Millionares club which he forced TO relin-
quish few months ago, and his friends have or
ganized purity movement within the Repub-
can ranks Associated with him some very
reputable and very rich Republicans, but against
him is a combination of local statesmen, politicians
and others who believe that, Col Colt having re-
tired and desire having been manifested gener-
ally for Republican harmony, Wetmore should re-
tire also and leave the field clear for agreement
upon some representative Republican not person
ally offensive to either of the two wings-some
man who would be acceptable to that large num-
Der of independents whom Republican misrule and
boss domination have aienated.
The Wetmoreites, however seem irrevocably
cOmn11tteu 10 the man VINO mas SO largely n1ldnCeu
the Republican machines campaigns for years, and
will listen patiently to suggestion that he make
way for some other less offensive individual.
Some of the former opponents of Col Colt who
were temporarily arrayed in the Wetmore camp,
less because they loved Wetmore than that they
were unalterably opposed to Colt believe the time
is ripe for compromise, and say SO. They, and
the Colt men, too, would unite upon Gen. William
Ames or Judge LeBaron b. Colt. Even Adm b.
Capron, the congressional joker, finds favor with
them, rather than to have the party plead that it
cannot get along without the Silent One but the
Wetmore contingent is obdurate, and in this obdur-
acy it is relying upon the belief that the former sup
porters of Colt now that there is only million
airc in the field cannot be held solidly for any
other candidate not millionaire.
Upon the decision of the state comittee next
Monday therefore when it meets to select Re-
publican candidate for the United States senate
an action the Goddard movement has forced and
which is SO unusual that it will establish prece-
dent for Rhode Island Republicans-they must
face the problem presented by the candidacy of COL
Goddard and their manifest and growing
weaknesses. Will Wetmore be as strong
compromise candidate would be in view of the bolt
he engineered and conducted at the last session Of
the general assembly against the majority candi-
date, is question which neither faction is pre-
pared to successfully deny. Can any Republican
senatorial candidate win next fall is another ques
ton about which there is increasing doubt. Yet
some of the Wetmorc men, believing that the mis-
management of the party has been pronounced,
SO disgusting to fairminded Republicans that they
have been driven out and will not return to the fold
this year. warmly advocating the nomination
of Wetmore, which will mean a substantial cam
paign fund, and are prepared to fight it out along
that line.
Whatever the outcome of the committee meet
ing there is little doubt that the prospects of
form as result of the fall election cannot be
materially altered by the committees deliberations,
and that the next general assembly, the house of
representatives, at least, will be Overwhelmingly
Democratic.