The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-02-03
SEVERAL ADDRESSES MADE.
Resolution Adopted Requesting Assembly 10
Submit Question 10 People.
OFFICERS ELECTED UNANIMOUSLY.
Former Congressman Spooner Made Prssidsui-A
Long lisiof vcs Presidents Campaign Com
mlitses 10 Be Appointed Throughout State.

A meeting of the Rhode Island Con-
stitutional league was held in Swarts
lodge hall, Lyceum building. last even
ing, for the purpose OF discussing the
matter OF a constitutional convention.
The meeting was called to order at
S:l5 o'clock by Thomas w. Bicknell,
and at that time there were 16 per-
sons In the hall.
Hon. Henry j. Spooner was elected
chairman and Joseph Mcdonald was
elected secretary.
Mr. Bicknel then read letters from
gentlemen who were unable To be pres
ent, and then as chairman OF the eX-
ecutive committee told what had been
done since the last meeting In the way
OF issuing membership cards and cir
culating petitions TO be presented TO
the General Assembly. He then read
lengthy letter from Amasa Nj. Eaton,
who stated that new constitution
must be had, the vote OF the electors
upon the revised constitution showing
this conclusively. The report or the
executive committee was accepted.
Sydney Sherman said that under the
present constitution the Legislature or
Rhode Island had once submitted TO
the people the question whether they
desired to hold constitutional conven-
tlOn, ana lneN tNDTtSStu a. htSiit III AhN
negative. He believed that having been
done once this action could constitu-
tionally be done again. A convention
was held in 1912, although there was no
provision for so doing in the charter
of Rhode Island.
Mr.. Joseph Mcdonald stated that he
was in favor of constitutional con-
vention because the sovereignty OF the
state rested in the people, and not in
the legislature. The people knew what
they wanted and would insist upon
their rights in legal manner. What
ever was done would have TO be done
through the General Assembly.
Prof. Dealey of Brown university be-
leved that under the fundamental law
prevalent in the United States there
was some power in this state that could
call a constitutional convention. He
personally would not object to a con-
stitution emanating from the Assembly
If IL were a good one, but he would
not support a bad one. He believed
that the only way to succeed was TO
bring public opinion TO bear upon the
General Assembly so as TO convince the
members that the people desire, not a
revision, but a complete constitution.
Col. Daniel II. Ballou said that his
political education had been received
along the lines set down by the SUI
preme Court. but he had. perhaps, not
given the subject under discussion sur
nC1ent tnouPnt. lie DelleNeu lndl lne
subject of a constitution would never
be satisfactorily settled until II is sub
fnitted to the entire people, in order
that an organic law may be framed.
If the people are worthy to exercise
the right of suffrage why should they
not be trusted To construct the
groundwork of q government? Amend
ment does not mean by any legal in
depreciation the framing Of any new
organic law. The whole range OF Amer
lean history has shown that as last
resort the people can always be trusted.
Henry y. Metcalf of Pawtucket said
that he did not believe that the people
Of Rhode Island would ever admit that
1--WE the people have not the right TO
make our laws" and he was followed
by DR.. l.. +. G.. Garvin, who spoke
briefly on his usual lines.
MIR. Bicknell then offered resolu-
ton providing that the General Assem-
bly, should be asked TO submit TO the
people at the next spring election n
referendum of the question: shall
there be a convention of the people to
revise the constitution?' and Ii was
adopted.
Mr.. Bicknell then presented the fol-
lowing list of officers: President, Henry
j. Spooner; vice presidents. Amasa Nj.
Eaton Edward w. Bassett, Daniel r..
Ballou Henry Il. Metcalf, James II.
Chase. John w. Davis, Henry r..
Greene, Charles Is. rockwell, Richard
i. Comstock, James A. Williams, Ed
win G. Pierce. l.. G. &. Garvin, George
8. Greene, William Gottschalk Henry
Ecroyd: secretary, Arthur w. Brown;
treasurer. ID. s. Fraser; executive COM
mlttee. the president, secretary, treas
urer Amasa NJ Eaton, Thomas w.
Bicknell. Samuel Ames William II.
Tillinghast. Charles Sisson, Louis
Kranz. Augustus y. Nerone, Joseph Nc
Donald, j. q. Dealey, Alfred Dawson,
Robert n. Turner. The officers were
unanimously elected. the secretary
casting one vote for the ticket as pre-
sented.
President Spooner made brief adj
dress, i'm which he said he hoped the
members of the league would work to-
gether with the one object of obtain
ing constitutional convention, for
that was the one main purpose that the
organization had I'm view.
Mr.. Bicknell moved that the execu-
tive committee be instructed TO appoint
campaign committees throughout the
state. and the motion was adopted, and
the meeting then adjourned.