New-York tribune., 1894-02-28
RHODE ISLAND TO VOTE NEXT.
HOPE TO SEE THE PENN
sYLvANIA CAMPAIGN REPEATED.
THD RESULT WILL BE WATCHED FOR EAGERLY
AS AN EXPRESSION or OPINION FROM
MANUFACTURING STATE on THE
far TELEGRAPH TO rnE rRIsusK.l

far TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuSE.I
Washington. Feb. 27-Heretofore candidates for
Office in Rhode Island have been required to poll
a majority OF all the votes cast at an lection In
order to be duly elected. At an election in Noveni-
Der last this provision Of the State Constitution was
abrogated. and an amendment adopted under which
candidates receiving the largest number Of votes
cast are declared elected The first election under
this new amendment OF the Constitution VIII take
place April T. State officers and members OF the
Legislature elected annually in Rhode Island
The ticket therefore to be voted for in April will
include nominees for Governor Lieutenant-Gov-
ernor. Secretary OF State. Attorney-General Gen.
eral Treasurer and seventy-two members OF the
House
There is much interest in Washington over these
coming elections in view not only Of the National
issues involved but also Of the complications which
attended the meeting OF the last Legislature, that
of 1895 The prolonged series Of by-electons IN tne
towns had brought the Legislature OF 1873 TO the
May session composed as follows: -
Democrats: House. thrty-two Republicans and
forty Democrats. On joint ballot therefore hf,y-
pubcans. To overcome this majority of one on
JOINT oallot the Democratic House unseated one
Republican and left vacancy, and unseated
another Republican and seated a Democrat making
tee" the two houses In Joint session are called.
hfty-fve Democrats and ifty-three Republicans. As
the change in the representation was made IN both
instances In defiance Of recent rulings OF the Su-
pEcWe OOuTl lne senate TeIuSeu JOIN tne ttouSc
in Grand Committee to count the votes and elect
officers. deadlock OF three days duration ensued
and then the Senate officially Informed the Gov
ernor that disagreement existed between the
two houses. In accordance with his constitutional
powers. the Governor adjourned both houses until
the last Thursday In January, 1894 The Democrats
OF the lower house refused recognize this action
and sent certain questions to the Supreme Court
TO their prerogatves. the answers 10 which we're
adverse to their contention.
IL is with this record OF bafied usurpation that the
Democratic party in Rhode Island will 90 before
the people in April The action Of Governor Brown.
however. clearly "A 10 b.
sequenty was. by the decision of the Supreme
Court-that any attempt the part of the Demo
Gratis to make this an issue will almost certainly
rail- Ths, at least, IS the opinion of Senator AL
drich. He thinks on the other hand. that the cam
paign will be fought National issues-on the
question Of Protection and Free Trade.
ON that issue, said he to-day, the result In my
opinion can be only one overwhelming Republican
victory. STILL It will not do for be over-conf
dent. We must in the first place nominate good
ticket. This the convention, which will probably
meet in the middle OF March. may be trusted 10
10. In the second place. must conduct aggres
sive campaign from start to finish our voters must
be mustered and brought out. They must be made |
10 understand the importance attached to this |
years election. II Is not merely that elect Re
publican State officials and Republican Legisa- |
ture which Will be called upon to choose successor
to my colleague in the United States Senate, Mr.. !
Dixon. but that we show by the vote polled what |
the State of Rhode Island thinks OF the Free Trade
proposes submit its industries. II the Republl- |
cans of Rhode Island do their duty the result will
be no unworthy echo Of the splendid victory in |
PENNSYLVANIA