The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-27

elected by the people.
The Democrats claim that Governor
Brown and the Senate illegally acted,
and that by the hold-over OF State
officers the Democratic candidates were
illegally deprived OF positions rightly
belonging to them.
Briefly stated this is the contention OF
10th parties. Now to examine the case.
The decision of the Supreme Court OF
the State certainly sustains the Repub-
lican position. The Democrats ousted
the Republican mem bers from Westerly
and Jamestown in order to create va
canciss which they proposed to fill, ana
they actually did fiji one OF the vacan-
cies SO created with Democrat. thus
changing the character OF the Grand
Committee. Upon the first Of these two
points the Supreme Court says:
Each town is entitled TO the full rep
resentation which the constitution con-
templates, and this principle is equally
violated, though not TO the same extent,
if one town is illegally deprived OF Its
full representation. la such cases the
Assembly may properly adjourn until
the vacancies can be filed"
There isn't the slightest question that
there was one town which had not the
full representation which the constitu-
ton contemplates, aud that this was
due to the action taken by the Democ-
racy.
On the second point the Supreme
Court says:
"Other emergent causes sufficient to
justify an adjournment, may arse, such
as a palpable violation OF the constitu-
tion by the expulsion of members con-
trary to its provisions, whereby the
character Of the Grand Committee is
changed"
There isn't room for any question that
by changing the complexion of the
House before going into Grand Commit
tee, in order to secure control OF the
Grand Committee and thus elect officers
whom the people of the State had refused
to elect according to the constitution,
the Democrats began illegal and revo-
lutionary proceedings sufficient to war
rant the Governor and Senate in refus-
ing to be parties to such political crime.
Upon this third point the Supreme
Court rules:
" Notwithslandin the fact that each
10 N ho a n.
cations of its own members, a decent
self-respect would entitle the other
branch TO refuse to be party TO such
illegal constitution of the Grand Com
mittee and to base its action thereon.
In according to this decision and in
obedience to the command Of the consti-
tuition the Governor prorogued the
General Assembly, the Senate certifying
to an irreconcilable disagreement be-
tween the two Houses.
Those who drafted the constitution Of
the State made in their wisdom such
provision, which became at time
like that which confronted the Governor
last summer a command, and in accord
ance with constitutional provisions the
State officers held over.
The House refused to obey and insti-
tuted a Rump body, but as proof that
the Democrats knew they were in the
wrong, the alleged House generally con-
tanned but four or five members and
never exceeded a dozen members during
its entire sessions.
Its members have never even asked
for their pay and it frequently violated
the provisions of the constitution by ad-
journing for more than two legislative
days without the consent OF the Senate.
All manner Of abuse has been heaped
upon Governor Brown by his political
opponents, but he has firmly stood
against their assaults, conscious that
when the heat of prejudice has passed
away he will receive the thanks Of even
the Democrats in preserving the State
from the control Of revolutionists.
This is the "local issue" that the
Democracy wants discussed. Well, the
people of the State have been discussing
it for nearly year, and the Republican
party is prepared to await their verdict
trusting In the justice of its cause.
The voters of Rhode Island are not
fools nor blockheads, and they can be
depended upon to give a right verdict
April 4, and that verdict will unques-
tonably be in accordance with the ver-
dict of the Supreme Court. Rhode Is
land citizens are law-abiding citizens
and will have no patience with those
who urge, from personal motives, def
ance of the laws Of the State.