The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-04-12
THE RELATION Of THE
TOWN TO THE STATE.
AmaSa M. Eaton, Esq.,, Reads Inter
eSting Paper on Subject Before
Veteran Citizens Association.

Tne regular monthly meeting OF the
Veteran Citizens Historical association
was held yesterday afternoon at the
Mathewson Street NJ. F.. church. After
the reading of the records by Secretary
Gallagher, remarks were made by Mr.
Cook. who stated that President Denni-
son had requested him TO bear his kindly
wishes and regards 20 all the members.
and hoping he might yet be able 20 meet
again with them.
The acting vice president. Mr.. Gammell,
then introduced Hon. Amasa NJ. Eaton,
who read very interesting paper en-
titled. THE Relation of Town TO state In
Rhode Island" 1hs paper was In part AS
follows
IL Is seldom subject comes up for ex-
animation SO full OF interest both theo-
retical and practical and seldom one OF
such Importance, about which the public
knows so little. A Chicago newspaper, la
menting the incapacity OF that city 20
maintain order and regulate the liquor
business, recommends "a state constabu-
larry law. Massachusetts has tried IL and
IL has become necessary 10 investigate the
mismanagement of the state constabu-
larry.
QUAY's WORK IN PENNSYLVANIA.
In Pennsylvania Quay has used his
power TO force a bill through the legis-
lature abolishing the office OF mayor in
three cities where the voters were against
} I'm. In New York Platt has tried TO es-
tHbish a constabulsry force. but has
been defeated by Gov. Odell, who declared
in his message I'm January, 1901, that IL
would be violation OF the state consJi-
tuition.
Missouri passed such a law In 800 ur.
der which the cost OF police in st. Louis
has Increase from <953, 900 la l8.H to ST.
S31. .O00 I'm 1900.
Two opposite views are held as 10 the
relation OF the town TO the state. One
view is that the state is paramount: that
IL created the towns and has absolute
power over them; that while IL grsnts
them certain measure of local self-gov-
ernment il may, whenever IL chooses,
take away from them the local self gov
ernment IL has granted.
THE OTHER VIEW.
The other view is that the American
system of government consists: First, of
the union OF people and state, constitut-
ing us n nation; second. OF the states
subject TO the constitution of the United
States and the treaties and laws made
hereunder, but sovereign I'm the sense
that each state has control over it's own
affairs, free from interference by the
United States; and third. the towns that
are also endowed with limited SOW
ereignty In the sense that while subject
tn general laws passed by the state and
To the right OF the legislature 10 mould
and direct their powers, especially upon
their own application. have "A constitu-
tional right, express or implied, to
manage their own local affairs, free from
the interference or control of the legisla-
ture.
No country can live that destroys local
self-government The weak spot I'm our
system is the exaltation OF state rights.
so called, at the expense of town rights
and local home rule.
THE RIGHT AND THE WRONG.
Towns and cities are looked upon by
legislatures and courts ignorant of local
constitutional history as being complete
~ under the power OF the legislature. The
relation OF the states TO the United States
is all right; the relation OF the towns and
cities To the state is all wrong. IL the
views OF some courts and of many legis-
latures are TO prevail.
II is the denial OF this right OF local
self-government that has enabled Tweed
and his SUCCESSORS TO govern cities
through state legislation without regard
TO their rights. Hence the numerous acts
making cities pay salaries to officers ap-
pointed Dy the state or tue executive
thereunto authorized by the legislature
who are under no responsibility to nor
control by the cities they manage and
whose money they disburse.
Hence the ripper law just enacted in
Pennsylvania to enable the political ma
chine to override the will OF the people.
passed by the legislature AT the dictation
OF the Republican machine with Quay at
the head. to enable him To destroy his
political enemies In certain cities OF the |
state.
This act abolishes the office OF mayor
and thus legislates the incumbent ont Of |
official existence. II provides for a
recorder In the place or the mayor, to be !
appointed by the governor of the state /
without regard 10 the viii Of the people 1
of the city This executive officer is to I
have complete authority In the ndr1in's- |
tration of the cits's affairs possessing 4
even powers OF appointment 10 office that
were never given to the mavor. more /
aboninable political scheme has never /
been foisted upon an American CITY
II is a satisfaction to learn thar its |
legality Is to be contested IN the courts, \
although Judging from a decision reach |
cd In that state i'm 1870 II Is evident the |
members OF that court must be first /