Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-03-29
tlEMPMS APPEAL
THURSDAY. MARCH 20. 1883
TEMPEST IL A TEAPOT.


Rhode Island elects a governor on Wednes-
day next, and although the chief executive
OF the State can look out at the window Of
his mansion and survey the entire dominion
over which be prtsides, the candidates and
the people are profoundly exercised over the
impending contest. In every part OF the
State the public speakers have oiled the
JOINTS OF their eloquent jaws, and for nearly
week the little State will reverberate with
the thunders OF appeals-not TO the people,
for only the select few are invested with the
right OF suffrage. Nobody can vote in Rhode
island unless he owns 30 much property,
which disfranchises large number Of the
best citizens-men WHO have been
manned in fighting the battles Of
their nanntry. Tho government Of the State
is ruled by men Of wealth. Intelligence and
patriotism are often banished from the
bsllot-box. Some OF the Southern States
have been accused Of making suffrage quail
itcatiens, discriminating against the negro,
and even the Republican oligarchy of Rhode
Island in every presidential election de-
msnt in Rhode Island is regarded,ss all right,
because it sfects only foreigners and poor
white trash. Under the constitution OF
Rhode Island the property qualifications and
exclusion of foreigners operates TO the dis
reimbursement of very large msjority Of
its adult population. Six months residence
and ownership OF real estate 10 the value Of
SISF over all Iucuurbr asse-, or which shaft
rent for 81 year over any rent reserved or
the interest OF any iocumbrance Mt, being
an estate in fee slmpe or on estate in rever-
zion or remainder, are the requisites there
of the voter. But, 10 addition, the registry
must be made in December and 81 tax be
paid then, go that the "effect of these regula-
tions is 10 exclude from the suffrage a large
number of persons who are intelligent, but
who are employed as operatives, sustain
large families, and cannot accumulate real
property to the amount required 10 quslify
them as voters" Instead of permitting one
in every five of the population TO vote, as in
the Stale of New York and Pennsylvania,
the constitution OF Rhode Island allows only
one voter to every seventeen of the popula-
ton. The Republicans opposed any change,
knowing that if the honest laboring masses
are invested with The right of suffrage the
Democrats will ascend 10 power. Wm.
Sprague is the opposition candidate
for governor, but there is little hope
of his election, as he cannot command
the confidence or support of the solid DEMO-
cratic party: Loss of property has brought
him more in sympathy with the people.
But he is not the man to enfranchiae them.
He announces himself as general reformer
and is hostile to the bosses, but is not the
man 10 remove the restrictions upon suffrage,
having always favored the present constitu-
ton, which disfranchises foreigners and
makes poverty crime. This restriction ia
not in keeping with the spirit of American
equality. An attempt was made a few years
ago to extend the franchise, but il was
defeated, the Republicans, who pirate so
loudly about bulldozing and disfranchise-
ment in the South, voting solid for the old
rule, 10 which they are indebted for their
supremacy. The people who have the
right to vote are indisposed 10
extend it to others. and those who have not
are not consulted about it. The matter has
been the subject of much criticism outside
the State, and has been investigated by con-
gressional committees in recent years. But
it was reported that no distinction among
citizsns waa made coming within the pur-
view of the provisions of the constitution OF
the United StaIeF, and that the question of
suffrage was entirely within The control of
the people of Rhode Island.