The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-01-30

The annual message OF Gov. Elisha
Dyer was presented 10 the General AS
sembly today. and the leading matters
treated Of were as follows. The govern
or congratulates the state upon the
excellent financial showing on January
/, 1900. and states that the balance OF
cash on hand December 3lst 1898, was
S3.72S.22; while the balance on hand
December Slst. 1899, was $52.557,2S.
A just and equitable taxation of such
property as is assessable, and is cheer
fully paid in many other states. would
give TO Rhode Island a steady and in
creasing income and enable her TO keep
pace with the advance made in educa-
ton. i'm internal improvements, and in
every other essential which tends TO the
Improvement and prosperity OF the peo-
pie and il in accord with the marvellous
progress which marks the end of the
century.
REVISION OF THE CONSTITUTION
For more than fifty years specific
amendments TO the pr sent constiiutio'
have. from time to time. been adopted
by the people, and the constitution has
been amended no less than eight times
within that period. In November, 1898,
the revised constitution received the
approval OF more than n majority OF
the votes cast upon the question OF its
adoption. but failed by a few hundred
votes only OF the constitutional three
, fifths required therefor. At the>last May
session the present general assembly
approved the resubmission OF substan-
tally the same instrument ITO the elect
ors at n special election 10 be held on
a. ffx
failed OF adoption.
without entering upon discussion
OF the causes which contributed to this
underestimate result. the fact seems To
ne well established that the method go
long followed OF submitting specific
amendments for adoption or rejection
is the method which seems most in con-
sonance with the usage or our peonle.
Under the opinion Of the Justices that
the constitution can be amendei only
I'm the wav provided for by the instru-
ment Itself there would sepn TO be
no power in tho general assembly under
Hhe constitution 10 submit 90 the elect
ors tho question OF calling y constitu-
Hional convention or IN the electors anv
power 10 return m answer'to The same
that can be received as on authentic
expression of tho will ~ tho neople. for
hv means of such 2 referendum mo
n~OrrpGg C0n'N nf MR. w the nlTFfWf'V
of railirr constitutional conve"''""
end the work of n convention 80 called
and held coulf have no rore force or
validity than tho rpnort ~ tho commits
ttonars annoi~te1 b. ne governor and
VINO framed tho sa-caMed revisoS con-
etitu+ion. hnd g ehoulf nor he forgot
te, that this r,ethod 81 securing ron
stitutionni convention also has been
fried fvy-ico e'~co The aFonfion ~ our
,,~esant cor~'itutlc~ and Tho, on 90 IN
occasion q hoe hecn rejected hv tho
electors Tho aSvo~ee vote af the socond
and last trial beinr more than two "a
ono.
therefo~e re,corr-nond FhS subrrts-
e'nn ~ the renerai aeeo~,I,'v ~ fhe
succeea1irr~ reneraf aqse->hi.- o. rrrpcinr
rdr,e~t~ ~ euch prtirier 90 the 90.
i~'ing consolidation 90 IN vour iu '-n,er'
n~n ~ icn~or Hdqn'e.' ~ r>.ersr' ron.
dHio~e in eucN for~, fhat ''o annrovs'
~ roiocficn ~ arv on, nf shn,, .,,av
r-oi depe~d nron tho approval or rcfec.
tion ~ ~ ~ ther,.
PUBLIC FnrCAT1oN
Thern n~o f~fn .-A.v fr,D~rtart mot
fnre connected wif% nui,ita o.aursstto~
-,.iioh viU ,o,ruir~ 80 ofr 80 ss-~ rsat,
30 arcor~@f~A THO r~sf - sNoeo q
fho orf~hft~hyrn.f ~ tf1de--e q. 80
schools in The country towns, especially