The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1885-04-16
ToMAKE RHODE ISLAND REPUB III,
CAN.

The Democrats of Rhode Island, In
their recent State Convention, resolved
thus:
the people OF Rhode Island are entla
tied TO q republican form OF government,
In accordance with the true spirit OF
American civilization and constitution.
al government, and we pledge our earn
est support In all legal measures TO
secure such q legal government f1r
Rhode Island" :
Our highly respectable Republican
contemporary, the Providence Journal.
an organ Of The Rhode Island Oligarchy,
smugly remarks that Rn0ie Island has
long and happily enjoyed a republican
form OF government and doubtless IL
thinks 30. But the fact is that Rhode
| IIiand has not had, since II entered the
Union, q really and thoroughly repre-
sentative republican form OF govern
ment. The Democrats OF the State are
true 10 Democratic principles In demand
Inc that she shall have one,
| Under the Confederation and the Con
stilution alike, the little State has al
ways been stronghold Of HnnkeTlsm,
OF narrow conservatism, and hideb0nnd
prejudices, For more than Afty years
OF her life 10 member OF great dem
. lie republic she clung 10 her colon
ial charter nor would che adapt herself
10 the new aud modern republican con-
ditions until she was forced 10 do 30 by
the irrepressible dlscontenls OF her chill
dTpn.
DORIS sO-called rebellion resulted In
the present Constitution, adopted forty
three years ago, is now ns inadequate 10
the wants OF the dense, stirring, Indus
trial population which has grown up In
Rhode Island In the mean time, q pOpu-
lation composed largely OF day workers.
aud having no uncomfortable mixture
Of foreigners, as the colonial charter
was inadequate TO the wants Of the
Rhode Island OF half century ago. One
Of the chief objections TO the present
Constitution IN ita jnst discrimination
against citizens OF foreign birth, II II
had been adopted In the maddest days
OF the Know Nothing manic, II could
hardly have been worse In this respect
A foreign.born citizen Of the United
States who has acquired voting resi-
, ence In Rh0ie Island Ia graclously al
lowed to vote II he rs really aud truly
possessed In his own right OF real es,
, tate" IN the place where he lives, "vi
the value Of one hundred and thirty tonr
dollars over and above all encnmhranee'
, or which shall rent for seven dollars per
, annum over and above any rent res eryed
/ or the interest OF any encumhfances
, thereon" A native citizen In allowed
10 vote II he has acquired Il voting real
dence, has been registl rcd and has paid
u tax TO the amount OF one dOllor, B1l
a 10 "y0te In the election Of the City
Council OF the city OF Providence, OF
upon any proposition TO Impose tax, ol
!, for the expenditure OF money In an!
= town or city, man must have pale
= within the year next preceding q tal
upon property valued NJ least ~ on,
/, hundred aud thirty four dollars" Cal
I you this republican form OF govern
y mentY
constitutional amendment TO abolisl
!, the registry tax has been under c0naid
\ Grafton In the General Assembly. Tha
4 body passed last week n resolution I,
> amend the State Constitution by glvInJ
:, the rights OF citizenship to honOraOl
;. discharged soldiers ana sailors OF thI
~ late war. Of foreign birth, from RhOd
- Island. The honOrably discharged sol
- dier or sailor working In Rhode ISLAM
y who didn't enlist from Rhode lslanC
will not be allowed TO have voice Il
the direction Of that tight little coTp)T
20 alton, even II tina proposed amenhmen
l. IL adopted by tho people next month
q Aud the other ctlgens OF the Unite
u States Of foreign birth who are unfortu
9 nate enough 10 live In Rho'o Island
u viii have to watt til the State has
;, genuinely republican form of govern
u ment.
v Butall liberalization against a man
y birth or his poverty will have To be- swcp
" away, The tiforla male year after yea
y 10 give RhOdN Island form Of govern
| ment "in accordance with tho true splri
x Of American civilization and cons,tlon
y nj government must bear fruit. IN. y