The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-10-30
WETMORE HAS
DONE NOTHING
FOR NEWPORT
Only a Short Time Ago he Discouraged the Building
of Hotel for the Common People Because 1t
Would Interfere With the Exclusive Set.

4, busy days In pushing forward projects
started and fostered by people. who be-
cause they live In the city from Jan. 10
Jan. 1, are called the year round folks.
lie does not approve OF their unrest and
desire to Increase their opportunities for
profit. He thinks they should be salts
| fed with what they have. Catering to
himself and his neighbors should be
| enough. Humbly accepting the crumbs
that drop from his table. loaded with lux
uries, should be quite sufficient To want
more shows the acme of ingratitude.
Some years ago hotel project was
launched auspiciously by few earnest
men, who. because Mr.. Wetmore had al
ways been generous in his contributions
sent a representative who waited upon
him with confidence and the plans of the
few earnest men were laid before him. A
hotel was to be built upon the avenue. It's
management to cater TO the thousands
who would delight in brief stay at this
resort and become acquainted with this
city and its beauties. Real estate values
would be increased and the foundations
laid for comfortable fortunes for owners
OF land which previously had been but
pastures. Houses were to be built. in the
creation OF which, carpenters and paint
ers, plumbers. bricklayers and masons,
would find ready employment at good
wages. In enthusiastic terms, the repre-
sentative OF Newports ambitious men,
laid before the then senator, the findings
OF his constituents. expecting encourage
ment, financial assistance. and an exer-
tion of influence among those who had
the money and with whom he was known
to be intimate. Even though money was
not forthcoming influence would have
been valuable.
HOW HE LOOKED AT 1T.
What was the surprise of the expectant
one. when his story had been told, to hear
this man. who had done so much CD for
In,
those expressed by the Newporter: Il do
not approve of hotel for Newport. /
think IL would be a bad investment. not
that 1t would not be profitable perhaps to
the stockholders, but IL would be against
the interest of the summer colony, who
make Newport their home because OF the
lack of just such institutions. Dwellers
on the hill in the summertime, desire just
the exclusiveness that present conditions
afford. 1t would be better for Newporters,
did they spend their time in catering TO
these people, who mean so much for the
city. instead Of going off at a tangent. The |
merchants would do better IL they spent |
their energy in the breaking up OF tho
abominable system of tipping, which is
driving purchasers OF supplies TO New |
York and Boston"
But" said the interviewer, what are |
the city's tradesmen TO do: they appre- |
ious to overcome them as you can possi- |
bly, be. They see their business drifting |
away from them. Profits because OF the |
division of business, due TO the increase !
in the number OF merchants, have dwin-
died at an alarming rate until they have
realized the necessity of doing something /
that Will make for the increase of bust ,
ness. They have shown that they are In |
earnest in this work, for among them |
they have subscribed upwards of $4,000, |
which is certainly a large sum for city |
of 250oo people TO raise. If they are not /
right in their ideas what would you sug-
gest as a solution Of the problem7"
This wise man quickly replied In words |
that certainly would not inspire one with |
hope for Newport's future IL It's destiny |
were placed in his hands: The trouble
lies in the fact that there are too many
stores. too many business houses here.
and II is no wonder that they suffer in
the struggle for existence"
WOULD ADVANCE BACKWARD
A sad thought. indeed. the only way 10
advance is TO 60 backward. The only
possible method to secure life for few
s TO kill of the many. This IL the sys-
tenn that has been adopted by the So
called trust companies OF the country.
who have followed out this thought TO
a logical conclusion. the bigger fry eating
up the smaller fish.
TO pin their faith to this man. who seems
so little capable of understanding the
needs OF the citizens OF his city, yet after
sober thought they come TO the conclu-
sion that more could not be expected
from a man whose life has been spent
so far away from the common people A
man brought up in luxury. with practi-
cally no responsibilities from a pecuniary
point OF view. man who has never been
obliged TO labor with brain or physical
force TO earn his daily bread. cannot be
expected TO cherish or possess sympathy
for his fellow man, who thinks himself
less fortunate. but who. after ALL lives a
life which holds more Of satisfaction and
Is more worthy OF commentator.
The question remains unanswered: |
What has George Peabody Wetmore
done for Newport I
III he holds such ideas regarding New
ports efforts 10 better its own condi-
lion. as those expressed above. what can
Ihe state hope from another term for him
IN Washington
Citizens OF the state have decided. and
residents OF Newport are thinking too
ntellgently TO favor the peace Of mind
of this wealthy aspirant "