The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-02-23
DEMOCRATS
AT A'BANQUE1.
Annual Dinner Of the Young
Mems Club Of This City.
CONSTITUTION AND EXPANSION
Were the Topics Discussed by tho Several
Speakers After The Dinner.
EX.U. S. DISTRICT ATTORNEY G0RMAN
Favored Revised Constitution Mayor Greene Of
Woonsockei and Mr.. Oven Advocated a Con-
vsniion Congressman Juhnsons Speech

The dinner OF the Young Mems Dem
ocratic club held last evening in the
banquet hall of the Providence Ath-
letic club was a fine one. The menu
was choice and there We're differences
OF opinion expressed on the important
topic OF constitutional reform. These
differences OF opinion made the atmos-
phore a trihe warm, but everyone kept
good natured. Former Congressman
Tom l.. Johnson Of Cleveland, Ohio,
was the only out of town speaker, but
he proved a host i'm himself. He was
good at a story, good in humor and
very logical when serious. He is the
guest of DR.. Garvin of Cumberland.
Among the prominent state Demo-
Gratis present We're eX-Congressman
Lapham, Franklin II. owen. chairman
OF the Democratic state committee;
Representative DIR. l.. &. GarVin. for
mer l.. :. District Attorney DR.. Charles
+. German. Mayor George w. Greene
of Woonsocket Alderman Dennis i.
Mccarthy, Hon. Richard r. Comstock
and Mayor Baker.
President Bullock, after a good deal
OF time had been devoted to dining,
made a few remarks and in them was
no indication of favorng an expansion
policy. He quietly but emphatlcally
referred to the necessity at this time of
considering what Washington said and
did i'm order to obtain wisdom TO deal
not only with the affairs of the nation
but also Of the state.
Secretary w. II. Shaw read letters OF
regret from Hon. j. q. Carlisle, Hon.
William l.. Wilson, Congressman, Con-
gressman-elect John II. Thayer of Wor-
cester. All contained strong pleas
against the returning of the Philip
pines.
Mayor w. c. Baker was introduced
by President Bullock as a man whom
the Democrats liked TO elect and whom
the people of this city irrespective of
party delighted to honor. The mayor
spoke briefly and gave warm wei
come to the visitors, i'm behalf of the
city.
Hon. Charles l.. German said what
ever might be said OF his politics IL
could never he said he lacked enthus-
iasm. He admitted he accepted the in
vitation with tremor after his being
put out of the party. but he was al
ways more devoted 10 Democratic prin-
ciples than to the party. Mr.. German
then spoke at some length of his polti-
cal history. Speaking of the constitu-
tiopal agitation, he said truth had its
divisions. and he had never been able
TO learn from history that all the re-
forms sought were obtained at once,
| except by revolution. The Charter OF
King Charles. the speaker said, had one
| fault. one only; 1t was not flexible,
| there could be no extension. The speak
| er dwelt on the beauties of this char
ter. and said the Democratic party left
| him and not he the party. He believed
! the constitutional commission was su-
IN
! perior method OF making constltu-
| ton.
MIR. German asked if he was using too
| much time. and when Mr.. Bullock said
| no Mr.. German referred TO n constitu-
| tional convention. There were loud
| cheers for the convention. and Mr..
| German said twenty-eight years ago he
| introduced a measure for constitu-
| tlonal convention, and of the Demo-
| Gratis i'm the Legislature he was the only
| one who voted FOR II.
! II became evident at this point that
! some Democrats present were in faVOr
| OF the sneakers views and some op-
! posed. but the speech was given gem
| eral attention and fair greeting.
| Mayor Green made a brief and hap
ny speeech. i'm which he said that the
! Democrats were glad TO welcome back
! 10 the party Mr.. German, and then pro-
| ceeded to argue briefly but with telling
| effect i'm favor of constitutional con-
| vention.
| Chairman Owens Of the Democratic
| state central committee, said the ques-
J tIon was: Could the people OF Rhode
! Island be trusted TO make a constitu-
! tion for themselves. or must they sub
nit TO the work of q commission that
| was selected by the chief mogul OF the
| Republican party I'm this tate. 1t the
PEOPLE had not. unbeknown To him,
! greatly deteriorated. he believed they
! could be trusted Mr.. owens also spoke
\ against expansion.
! Dr. Carvin thought the Democrats
could get q new convention this year.
! and urged putting aside national issues
| this year and dealing only with state is
! sues
| Richard u. Comstock said he was n
| practical Democrat, ana believed the
! constitutional convention was an issue
| tho Democrats could win on. \ con-
| vcntion of delegates elected by the peo-
| plc WAS the greatest question that could
! he pprspnted To- the people. Mr.. Com
J stock said he voted for the constitution
| recently submitted to the people. but
| he had changed his mind and believed
! no,v only i'm constitution made by a
! convention.
! Former Congressman Tom J.. John
| son. OF Cleveland. Ohio. was aptly in-
| troduccd by President Bullock. lie
] was given the warmcst kind of a Rhode
( Island Democratic welcome. Congress
/ man Johnson made "a most happy al
! dress. aud referred to the impassioncd
I oratury he had heard ON the constitu-
I tional question i'm a pleasant manner
i The sneaker. without taking sides M
I tho debate. told a story that clearly
I nointed his idea OF Il. Next he devoted
| his remarks to taNati0n-making q
| strong plea for ,he Henry George the
orv. Speaking OF the taxing OF personal
propcrty he pronounced such taxation
I unjust. Leave the tax Oft the improve
ment. and put it ON the land. the speak
I