Rhode-Island constitutionalist. [volume] (Providence [R.I.]) 1834-1834, 1834-04-07

arbitrary form Of government" Th. the language of
foreign writer, the subject VI monarehiea government. II
be sound and just in rs application TO such government
We that may be eiviiy free and politically
slave. An absolute despot may dispense wise laws to his
subjects, and maintain them with imParaliy e.peei-
addition to the national wealth adds TO his and
to the strength and spendor Of his government But there
Is security for the continuance OF this proection and
is in the power Of despotc to overiurn all prev
ousy established laws, stop the general transfer Of prop
ery, and to constitute HIMSELF the present sovereign Of
Egypt has DONE the sole merchant in his domnions.
VI course do not 10 intimate that similar
abuse oPower has been perpernied In this State but,
before leaving part Of subject would par
tcular question: namely, whether there has been any
10 suspect In Legislature, chosen II Is, any ten
deney to lean toward this or that interest in the State at the
But not only Is our present restrictive system oppos
ed TO the fundamental principles of Republican Gov
ernment, but Is In violation OF the real intentions Of
those who founded State, and procured the Charter
Of Charles III. IL declared at the first session ofthe
General Assembly, In the year 647, that the Govern
say RULE of the People That Rule was perfectly
consistent at the foundation OF the state and long at
ter. with a landed qualification. IL was then In this
State, II Is In newly settled western States
he who did not own land, owned nothing. man
who goes TO settle In Missouri purchaser OF land as
matter OF course. Ifhe be mechanic, he must, new
ertheIess, before he exercises his tTade make clear
ing and set his log hut. few dollars, for the pay
ment Of hich he has credit perhaps, will purchase
considerable estate lfa landed quaiincalon were IN,
not much diminish the number OF voters, VINO now
| vote upon more extended plan. II was very much
the same In the early days OF Rhode Island. LANDED
property was not only principal property Of the cit
lzens but easily attainable that landed qua
cation for voters excluded only small portion OF the
people from political power. But the condition OF
| things has changed the towns have changed. New
interests have sprung up and there are now great
numbers Of our most honest Industrious and useful
citizens, who land but who contribute by their
occupations and by the payment OF taxes to the ex
tent of their their proportonate measure TO the
public welfare. Yet these men have no voice In tho
government which they contribute TO support being
excluded upon the false notion, that landed property 10
the only kind that Is decisive Of mans intelligence
and honesty. Look ut the hardship Of the case OF a
| mechanic, for instance. He has received common
education he has served rs journey man, and Is now
about to commence business for himself, with somo
small earnings Of his own His savings are only suf
fcient to procure the implements OF his tnde. Amer
fairly starting In life on his own account he becomes
| anxious TO provide for himself home. He marres
he hires tenement In the course fiime, he acquires
more money, which his interest demands should be in-
vested In the stock Of his trade lie Is fully able to
purchase hundred and thirty -four dollars worth or
land hut is In most cases. against his interest to do
So until he can purchase great deal more. In tho
mean time, he Is debarred from the polls ana u no
ask why the be, that the non ireeholders
are too ignorant dishonest TO be uused In so mpor
| tant n matter as voting. This we believe is fair
statement of the of hundreds Of mechanics In this
State exactly how many hundreds, we are not now
able to say, but hope TO lay this information before
you at future time The people Of this State can
not be Of the real operation OF the present sys
TEN, or they would long since have applied correc-
| tive. Take some examples Of the way In which this
| system works.
"In 1890 there were, In the town Of North Provi-
dence 779 male inhabitants 9l years Of nge of
whom 200 were frsehoders, leaving $40 non reehOid
srs In 1892 6e Of the nfreehoders were taxed for
| taxes was S!40. This tax was levied those only
who kept sioIes, or who known To have property;
while there were probably three times that number,
whose bank stock and other property amounted to as
much more, unknown 10 the assessors. There are re-
siding In Pawtucket, five patriots Of the revolution
who have no voice In any ofthe affairs OF the town
| State"
ain Providence 65 non freeholders alone have lately
paid a tax Of 1918 dollars and 36I, including the 65,
tax Of 1910 dolla."(Some eldest sons are included
| In this list.)
"ln Cumberland there are 2lO tax payers whe have
vote. $50 persons voted ut the last election In that
| town."
"In Warren there are 1856 feeholdes, natives Of
this State, and 49 resident reeholdes, natives OF 9TH
% ,ss Sa; ss In 1885, '"o"''oeno''e'' "e'' A''''''"