New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-15
POLITICS IN RHODE ISLAND.
SCHEME TO AMEND THE cONsTITUTION-lhH
M'KINLEY TIDE STRONG-TRANsFERs
In PROVIDENCE

Providence r. L. March Il (SpeciaD.-The Repub-
lican Convention passed off according to pro-
gramme. and, although there were no counter
nominations contests Of any nature IL was
more than ordinarily Interesting cohVehlo"'
The most important local feature OF the Rcpupncan
platform was the attitude taken on the question vi
the revision of the Constitution. The present Sta'e
Constitution was adopted In 1873, and. while II mas
been amended in various particulars al dhle'e"'
times there are still many changes needed TO priEs
the instrument entirely In line with the eonu
tons under which the State is now existing. Inc
Democracy have for years made the revision Oh
the Constitution their leading battle-cry. but IL mas
been Intellectual slogan because they assert 'hat
the people have the right to meet In convention anu
formulate a constitution which shall be put OUT ~
the voters for adoption or rejection Inc supreme
Court of the State has decided that the only way
tho Constitution be changed Is by amendments
and that n general revision after the Democratic
idea is impossible. owing to the lack OF proVlSlo"
for such a revision in the Constitution Itself ne
Republicans in their platform set forth the po'u
doctrine that the present General Assembly shou''
appoint a bipartisan commission TO revise the 'o
sti,ution and bring in their revision as an amehd-
ment TO the present Constitution which should pe
put out to the people and adopted or reJec'ed J"
the same manner that any OF the past amendments
have been put out and voted upon AS the hePuo
llcan way a revision IL practical way
and the Democratic method is both impractical ana
Illegal. the Democracy are really left without
local issue for their campaign.
Under the Australian ballot system the Democ-
racy have lost their right to a place upon Inc
official ballot for their Senate and Representative
candidates in ten towns. owing to the iact tha'
they made no nomina tons last year. These to"HS
are Exeter, North Providence. East Greenwich
Foster. Little Compton. jamestown Middletown.
Portsmouth, Smi,hheld and Johnston. Therefore
the Republican candidates for the General Assem-
by In these places are already as good as elected
ont r
hard work this year. - far as local matters are
concerned they intend make a good nght ard
carry on a speaking campaign for the sake OF the
enec; of the election UPON National politics.
Conventions are 10 be held FOR the election Of
delegates to ST. Louis and Chicago at some dates
Yet to be determined Ii IS generally understood
that the Rhode Island delegates are expected TO
vote for Thomas B. Reed upon the first ballot at
all events The sentiment Of the rank and file,
however, seems to be largely for Governor Me-
Kinley. The Mckinley sentiment Is rising 80
rapidly that the plans OF the politicians VINO are
trying hold the state together for Mr. Reed may
be shattered AT the convention.
signatures OF 5l5 legal voters IN the city o Irovi-
dence incorporate the question OF license or no
license in the Official ballot inc spsah'ns pot,.Dn
OF the campaign VIII begin at Music Hall next Mon
day evening. when the Rev Or r. H. tapen, pros,
dent Of Tufts College. viii deliver the p'ihepii
address ,,..,.. so,
week In the interests OF harbor improvements
Senator Aldrich will Introduce resolution In inc
Senate on his return 10 Washington. calling LOT
new survey OF the channel one plan Is To cut
nvav the sandl,ar at FIeiI's Point The CITY En-
gneer believes that the Point IL responsible Tor me
currents which make the channel bclo" that point
narrow and dangerously near the rocky eastern
shore
The long tight transfer tickets on tho s'ree'
railway seems be rearing the end senator Al
drich president OF the Union Railway 'om-
pany declares that the company WIZ hot opp.S,,
a transfer system. provided II can be compen-at,ei
In some manner for doing senator AIhrlcn
favors the erection Of transfer station AT Matke'
Square which will cost the company about HoVo
NJ Aiirich says that the transfers Will cost the
compsny something Ike $500 year. .
snecIal ioint committee OF the city Council IL
considerng the matter OF the erection OF public
market and public hearing on the subject WIZ
he given next week IL Is proposed 10 erect n
municipal building the new railway station
and not far from the present city Hall ana IN inc
| the stalls or booths OF which Will be leased 10
| licensed market men and produce dealers