The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-05-26
Keep the Judicial Ermine White.

A vacancy Is about 10 occur upon the
bench OF the supreme court of Rhode
Island. and ii is the current gossip OF
the town that those three individuals
who now direct affairs i'm matters OF
legislation here have directed the Gen.
eral Assembly how to act in the cir
rumstances: and our illustrious morn
ing contemporary has even printed
fac-simile of the incoming incumbent
which fac-simile bears striking re-
semblance TO Mr.. John T. Blodgett,
member Of the lower house for Provi-
t1ence.
On the 18th OF June, 1898, the General
Assembly being in session at Newport.
chapter $50 OF the Public Laws was
enacted. 1t bears this innocent title.
s'An Act Providing a Tax on Street
Railways But under cover of this in
pocent title. the representatives tmay
we say) OF the people, made contract
with street railway in this state, but
existing here under a charter for an
pther state. whereby all Rhode Island
government over this street railway
WAS turned over TO the railway itself
The General Assembly. the supreme
legislative power here. is now poweriess
10 act. This law prepared in New York
city, was brought TO Newport, and
forced through the General Assembly.
never having been printed and given
publicity. Few members of the repre-
Eentatives or the people ever even read
It before their votes made II law. In
\ moment It was presented, and. prac-
tically unread, IT was enacted a law,
which bound us hand and foot, for all
lime to come. The legislative power SO
Ear as street railways are concerned.
had been turned over by the General
Assembly to another and greater pow
or. The step next in process after one
has attained control OF the legislative
power. 10 the making and control of the
judicial power. the courts. Is this court
movement one of these steps? Mr.John
n. Blodgett was a member OF the house
which enacted this awful statute. He
1s not on record In a vote against II.
Where Will he, as judge. stand, as be-
tween this railway and the MANNED VIC
tim OF this company? The first neces-
eity in a court Is the confidence OF the
people in its absolute judicial impair
fiality. Can Mr.. Blodgett, so act un-
der the conditions in which he now
stands?
The constitution OF Rhode Island.
Art. w., Sec. II. reads, The senators
and representatives shall receive the
~,,xo 80 nna lnt1a. fn.. o.-a~x, Iax, 30 o..
tendance the General Assem-
bly, shall regulate the compensation of
the governor and all other officers SUBJ
Sect to the limitations contained In this
constitution" Under this fundamental
law the General Assembly voted to
certain of it's own members. In May.
1899. sums OF money out OF the gem
eral treasury varying in amounts from
s1s5 10 $500 to each individual.
Mr.. John T. Blodgett was then a men,
ber OF the lower House from Providence
and was upon the standing committee
on the judiciary. In that capacity he
voted 10 himself $500 and took the
money from the general treasury. This
present year a like transaction took
place, put possibly the sum was not the
same. II was as rank a violation OF the
fundamental law az II Is possible 10
conceIve-no abstract reasoning upon
points can change II: there stands the
letters Of the law-and every legislator
who took such money. OF voted u 10
others was a conspirator against the
people. Can a man. legislator. who
would 80 violate his oath be trusted
then 10 hold scales OF justice at an eaul-
poise? These are the questions Of para
mount importance 10 Rhode Island men
this day. m these things are true. Is
this intended appointment safe. and for
the best public INTEREST,"
Certainty We would do no man harm
IN his aspirations 20 attain honorable
positions: but II r. our bounden duty
20 consider whether these aspirations
ere IN the line or public safety.
10 II safe 70 rust a man upon the tu-