Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-04-19
money, than y exhausted by supporting our

money, than - exhausted by sPror,iag our
present municipal system.
All tho principal places Of the country,
and some Of the minor ones. have adopted the
city form Of government; and experience has
convinced them Of the utility Of the changs;-
and If we ara willing to take their condition
for examples, we must be lod to tho contom-
plated change. under perfect assurance, that
the end, will tend TO the promotion Of odr united
interest.
Whilst we are engaged in the good work Of
reformation, and are changing the form Of or
Municipal government, we cannot but hope,
that the town, will consider tho sxpediency,
of so amending our domestic right of suffrage,
as to extend the right Of it, to every citizen,
who pays taxos. does military duty and has
resided with US The term required by the exist
ing laws Of Rhode Island. We wish 10 be
distinctly understood, when We say, that il is
proposed, that such citizens shall enjoy tho
right of suffrage, SO far as our town or city ai-
fairs are concerned. and no further - indeed
farther than this We could not go. even if we
were 80 inclined. Under tho existing state OF
things, hundreds Of our most worthy citizens,
experience great injustice; for whilst they pay
n tax on ten thousand dollars, and perform
military duty because they do notipossess one
hundred and thirty four dollars worth Of real
estate, ihcy are denied the privilege Of voting
for their rulers, and even for their municipal
officers. This is grossly unjust, and should be
rosaedIed; and it is our undivided opinion, that
personal property should be represented, par
ticularly when it is taxed, and the owners of
il are required toight tho battles of the coun-
try. The people Of Providence, most assured
~ possess the power of extending the right of
suffrage, so far as this, and wo cannot prevail
upon ourselves to believe, that there is a man
in this community. who is so Liberal, as TO
deny his nciglbor the right Of voting, when
that neighbor actually contributes to the troa-
sury of the town, and is compelled to bear his
proportion of tho public burthens
We have thrown out these incidental re-
marks, in relation to n subject of infinite i'm
portance, and if they should meet the appro-
baton Of tho people, We shall be gratiiied !;
but if on tho contrary they should not be
deemed correct and fe nsable, we shall nV ex-
porience tho least modification, since we have
dono no more, than to express our own senti-
ments, as we have right to do, without at
tempting TO offer the least dictation. The
subject. will, however, be amply and ably can
vassed by our citizens, and to their wise con-
sidcration we now submit it with the single
remark, that We shall be satisfied with their
decision. he il favorable or unfavorable to our
views, and that we do most sincerely hope
that a city form Of government will be estab-
lished. AS it is most likely, that the question
will give rise to much and very free discussion, +,
We beg leave to remark, that our columns will
be open to the speculations Of those who may
be pleased to consider it.
We would in conclusion, suggest to the COM
mittee appointed TO act on this subject, the
expediency of publishisbing their report some
days previous to the town meeting, to be
held in June, for the purpose Of giving the
citizens sufficient time to examine it fully, and
thus prepare themselves to decide on ito merits.