The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-06-07
A WETMoRE MOVEMENT.

A WETMORE MOVEMENT.
When the supporters OF former Senator Wet
more announce they have banded together and or
ganized Republican League for the purpose
OF purifying political methods in Rhode lsland and
overthrowing Braytonism there is certainly reason
for amazement and amusement among the honest
citizenship. If this is not one of Satan re-
buking SIM then there never has been such a case
in the entire political history of this commonwealth
The obvious purpose of this new organization
Is to secure the reelection of George Peabody Wet
more the United States senate If it intends any
thing in the line of purihcaton it is of the sort
that will remove obstacles from the pathway OF
that persistent ofice-seeker and office-holder
If the movement showed any indication OF
having its inspiration in desire to end the evils
and abuses that affct the state grievousy there
might be some trust in its sincerity, but it has no
such inspiration and therefore there can be no con-
fdence in it.
Everything about this latest reform" crusade
Is personal and really petty 1t is an endeavor to
promote the ambition of one man already honored
far beyond the measure of his capacity as public
servant by the people of Rhode Island, and to give
the seeming of disinterestedncss to candidacy that
Is hopeessly and unalterably selfish.
One of the planks in the leagues platform de-
clares: Statements have been made that some of
the methods which have prevailed in recent years
have alienated considerable and growing body
of Republicans therefore, believe that the time
has come when a change and improvement
imperative if our Republican organization is to
retain the confidence and support of Republican
voters"
The intention in this declaration is, of course,
to disavow the Republican boss and his practices,
yet il is disclosed in such indirect way to in
dicate arrant cowardice on the part OF the Wet
moreites.r
If they are, as they would have it understood.
honestly opposed to the boss and his methods, why
do they not say so in straightforward and manly
fashion? Why do they not announce that they re-
pudate the boss and will battle against his further
influence in the councils and in the direction OF the
Republican party?
They do nothing of the kind. They seek rather
to create the impression OF hostility TO boss rule,
but lack the courage to make definite and un-
equivocal declaration. Indeed, the average citizen
is likely to regard the pronouncement as a cheap
device designed TO fool the public into the belief
that Wetmore and not Colonel Robert H. ]. God
dard is the leader in the movement for the political
regeneration of the state.
II need not be pointed out at this late day that
Colonel Goddard and the forces behind him are
battling for honest reform and that they have never
failed TO declare that prerequisite to that reform
is the destruction of Braytonisnl. Against Bray
tonsm they began their battle year ago and it is
against that sinister influence they are wagng
their present campaign. There is nothing dubious
or indefinite about their crusade. Concerning the
Wetmore leagues proposed assault on entrenched
political vice there is nothing that appears honest
or sincere.
And this will be the view of every citizen who
Is at all acquainted with the political history of the
state for the last two decades. George Peabody
Wetmore in whose behalf this Republican political
purity league has been organized is oneof the most
Rlarng examples OF the potency OF boss rule.
mere summer sojourner in the state, Wet
more secured the active and jealous services OF the
Republican boss, which were potent enough to
make him twice governor of the state and twice
representative Of the state in the United States
senate.
How this was accomplished the familiar phrase
"Wetmores money and Braytons management
sufficiently indicates. Yet now the man with the
money proposes TO repudiate the man whose man
agement put him in and kept him in high public
Office for fifteen years or more, and TO seek re-
election on purity" platform.
Such proceeding is deceitful and only politi-
@. device 1t will hoodwink no intelligent citizen
OF Rhode Island who knows that Wetmore always
mas represented machine methods of the most mis-
chevous kind and who, more than any other man
In the commonwealth, has prohted by the activities
of boss whose methods he now processes TO con-
denim.
There is real reform movement here and
one that is destined 10 succeed next November. 1t
Is led by Colonel Goddard and Governor Higgins
who are not afraid TO declare openly that Brayton-
ism must be destroyed and that representative gov
ernment must be restored to the people.
THE BOOM FOR KNOX
The presidential boom of former Attorney
General Philander Chace Knox, spectacularly