The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-01-01
the GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
To the Honorable the General Assembly;
Meeting In our splendid State house
for the first time on the birthday OF the
century, our New Year greetings one 70
another seem more than commonly
cheerful and happily inspired.
The noble proportions and dignlned
lines OF this monumental building express
the sovereignty OF the state, while iis
harmony. beauty, and significance or
architecture comprehend also abundant
accommodation and ample facilities for
the exercise OF the functions of govern
ment and the performance OF the public
business In it's several departments.
Recalling our last meeting only half
year ago, the change in our surroundings
is impressive. For two decades before the
foundation OF our new State House was
laid IL was talked about. Once begun, its
construction has proceeded and is nearly
finished with what seems now eNtraordi-
nary speed. Unexcelled for the purposes
20 which IL Is devoted by any building
anywhere, we ought TO be able 10 appfe-
ciate the change rather more than would
the people OF most of our sister states
who have not had TO get along with so
little In the past and have nothing so
good today.
II the change In the state quarters Is
impressive so also, IL Is to be observed,
u
ply OF our state by which through the
ballot has been abandoned your last
meeting place outside OF Providence,
which was maintained for nearly half a
century under our constitution.
BY the first amendment To our consti-
tuition II was provided that there shall
he one session of the General Assembly
holden annually at Newport and an adj
journment at Providence. BY the latest
amendment to the constitution there shall
be a session OF the General Assembly an
nually at Providence. The action marks
an epoch I'm the political history OF the
state and invites a review Of the natural
and easy stages by which IL has been APP
preached.
At no time and nowhere I'm the state
law has Rhode Island INDUCED the dis
tinction OF a capital city. The historic
sentiment that IL was easier for you TO
go to the people than for the people to
40 To the General Assembly has been
maintained consistently. though perhaps
unconsciously. For three-quarters OF a
century the General Assembly held a ses-
sion In turn at the four towns originally
comprising the colony OF Rhode Island
When Portsmouth was abandon
ed as q meeting place. because IL
was close TO Newport, South kingstown
was substituted. Later East Greenwich
became a meeting place and Warwick
was shortly after that abandoned. The
constitution done In convention at Last
Greenwich, one thousand eight hundred
and forty-two. added Bristol, so mat the
General Assembly made circui. OF Mar
ragansett bay every two years. Newport
was always the Inauguration city, but
gradually the business OF the state gov
ernment centred In Providence that
for the site OF the new State House this
city was selected after a discussion which
betrayed more sentiment than serious
purpose 10 secure it's location elsewhere.
The amendment TO the constitution, pass
ed November 6, 1900, thus simply estab-
fishes in the fundamental law the accept
ed result of more than two centuries of
politico- geographical evolution.
COMPLETION OF THE STATE HOUSE.
BY vote OF the people on November 6.
1900, the General Assembly was author
ized and directed to provide for the issue
of additional bonds to an amount not TO
exceed the sum OF 100000 to be applied
10 the completion and furnishing of the
State House and the laying out Of the
grounds surrounding. 1 am Informed that
the board OF state house commissioners
Is prepared TO finish their work promptly
upon having the funds at their disposal.
1t " your duty TO make the arrangements
necessary thereto. In this connection L
suggest that I'm the matter OF transferring
the property Of the state to Its new quar-
ters,it would be appropriate TO mark with
special ceremony the reception of the
states battle-fiags to their depository. 1
commend 10 your favorable considera-
tion the suggestion that this distinguish
ed duty be confided 10 the Grand Army
OF the Republic perhaps I'm cooperation
with other veteran military and patriotic
societies as may seem fitting.
REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Important among the provisions In
amendment of the fundamental law car
ried by Article II OF Articles OF Amend
mont are the sections changing the estab-
lished date for the registration OF regis
try voters Promptly upon Issuing my
proclamation declaring the amendment
adopted / addressed n letter To the iiis-
tees OF the supreme court requesting an
swers to certain questions of interpreta-
ton. The honorable Justices responded in
careful and comprehensive review OF the
questions involved together with sugges-
tions the value and significance OF which
am sure you will recognize For your
information the decision In full Is added
20 this paper as Appendix A. An execu-
tive commission is engaged In the work
OF preparing n thorough revision OF such
parts OF the General Laws, Including the
registration laws, as are affected by the
amendment.
CONSTITUTIONAL REVISION
Following upon two reflections Of n pro-
position of amendment to the constiti-
tion comprising the draft OF thorough
revision OF the fundamental law, the
vote upon the proposed A~icIe II OF
amendments I'm November last was Inn
prcssive and seems 20 me sufficient an
swer 90 the insistent demand in some
quarters for constitutional convention.
The vote Go approve was more than two
20 one OF the vote 10 reject. After the re-
lection OF the so-called revised constitu-
ton, it was urged by supporters OF the
notion of n constitutional convention that
there had been demonstrated a conviction
on the part of the people of Rhode Island
that authority should be found for cali
Ing a constitutional convention and a cor
responding determination 10 illustrate all
future attempts 90 amend the Instrument
a. the only way provided by the consti-
tuition Itself. This Interpretation OF the