The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-10-15

INTEkESI Or LABOR
with the change from the simple me-
chsnicai processes OF former times TO the
complicated and dangerous conditions OF
today the working classes are entitled 10
greater protection under the law from the
consequences of injury TO life aud limb
and this protectiOnis given them under leg
islatlon OF other states aud other coun-
tries. Rhode Island should adopt meas
ures similar 10 those enacted elsewhere.
But the present legislature and its prcde-
cessors for years. under the influence Of
the moneyed interests whose capital II
invested In property OF which public
franchises are the most valuable part
has ignored the interests OF the lsboring
classes
Al its last session. the Republican legis-
lature refused by solid vote to enact a
law proposed by Democrats changing the
law or contributors negligence in accident
cases
This IL a measure which has appealed
20 the sense OF justice OF the legislatures
OF two-thirds or the states OF The Union.
Yet the influence of the seml-puhic cor
porstions has prevented the Rhode island
legislature from protecting vital inter-
est OF the working PEOPLE Ia another I'M
stance the boss-controlled Legislature has
refused To consider the proposed employees
liability act introduced by Democratic
member although such lew, already I'm
force iu manN states would relieve tho
laborins people from the consequences ~
the dangerous risks wiTtCtn Httrrd Cu1s
ploymcnt IN mechanical pursuits I'm
these and other particulars the state
legislature impudeutly insultcd the work
Ink people of Rhode Island and ignored
their interests.
NEW CONSTITUTION.
A., a. ..,..,.t.. a. -. ..,...t. 49,. -
other abuses is provided in the retention
OF an antiquated constitution IL is plain
that The first step Ia bringing about n per-
maucut reform is 10 adopt a new consu-
tuition. The legislature ~ now cousti-
tuted .. ready to make no changes IN the
constitution which are demanded ny the
people u stands firm iu its refusal to do
away With the pocket borough system of
Representations As there are 80 many
improvements needed iu the organic law
Of the state revision of The present con
stitution by occasional amendment will
NOT suffice There must be new consti-
tuition This new constitution should be
The work of the people through represent
atvcs boa convention chosen Tor hat par
icular purpose.
This new constitution should provide Tor
new system uf representation tn the
general assembly. by which ihe member
ship of the house ~ representative viii
he pruportiouate % The population or the
several cities ana towns AZ near as may
be when the senate will consist ~ repre-
seutetives chosen from senatorial dis
trictS lpon q plan similar 90 that em.
plofcd lu Massachusetts and nearly ssl
the other states.
This now constitution should provide FOR
the exercise ~ greater powcrs by The gov
ern0r. so th0t he shall b. ohlef eN"cutiN".
iE fact az well as in name, instead uf be-
iug poVerlsss ng Irehead. ~ lr now Is
since the present lcgi stature stripped him
~ oven the small authority he formerly
held
This new constitution should provide Tor
The Nmifa finn of iHe uOVFr 90 the gem
| eral assembly iu EfuerHl hIIf partirularlr
in the erauting of puhlc frarchises aud
Bod The Interference iu fhr lo,0I govern
msnt " citep hv the allegation ~ their
charters
This new constitution should also pro-
vide FOR The afnf am0ut lnd revision ot
tho consultation bN constitutional rouVfu-
finu ffr maurar uf calling and choosing
and Tho rHure-rufatiou in and powers or
fhe same With the further express pro-
vision That such revision shall he Sih-
mittcd to Tho ueopis fpr Their acceptance
ur fC1rff finu.
A. TO secure this most necessary reform,
which fs The avenue through which all
| other reforms must come " secured ~ all
IL Is essential that a legislature composed