The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-09

whole state, and demand constitutional
convention In defiance of the opinion
OF the supreme court that our constitu-
tion cannot be amended by such means
The adoption of the amendments con-
cerning Prohibition, the property quail
fications, corporations, plurality elections,
the November election. the May legisla-
tive session, the second state capitol.
and the compensation of the legislature,
the repeal or tho Prohibition amendment
and the rejection of five others. all within
a period OF IA years. prove that our
fundamental law can be easily and
quickly amended by the methods provided
in the instrument itself.
We believe I'm frequent submission TO
the people of desired articles of amend
ment by constitutional. but not by revo-
lutionary methods. and bespeak for those
now offered favorable consideration.
reminding the Democracy that the
Peoples Constitution OF the Dorr era
contained the provisions OF these amend
ments, namely. that the Lieutenant gov
ernor should preside over the senate. and
that in the city of Providence, but In
no other part of the state, representatives,
In the general assembly should be elected
from districts. each one OF which was II
ward OF the city
POLICE COMMISSION.
The wisdom OF the Legislature I'm enact
ing the police commission law for the
city of Providence has been convincingiy
shown during the past summer by the
maintenance OF order there, when at the
same time the city OF Pawtccket was In
the hands of a lawless mob. Lest II
should be thought that this act is an un-
usual one. let II be known, that this
same legislation was originally applied In
Maryland forty years ago to the city OF
Baltimore, and later, in Missouri In the
city OF st. Louis. I'm both cases by Dem
ocratic legislatures, and that both acts
went to the length OF empowering the
commission 10 issue scrip receivable for
taxes IN case the cities failed to provide
funds for their needs.
State police commission laws have been
| enacted in New Hampshire, Kansas, Col
orado, Ohio, Michigan, and notably In our
Il sister state of Massachusetts, where the
| appointments are made by the governor
and I'm none of them are the commission
| ers appointed by the cities affected. Con
| vincing proof OF the propriety OF such
| legislation. II wanted. is found In the Ian.
| guage OF Chief Justice McSherry OF the
| court OF appeals OF the state of Maryland
| where this law was originally enacted. IL
| an opinion delivered I'm April OF the pres
| ent year he says of its operation In Balu
| more. THE law was defied; the public
peace was disturbed; the constabulary
/ were powerless If not in sympathy Will
| the mob: and reputable citizens were
/ driven by violence from the polls"
| Relief from the intolerable condition.
| which existed was finally sought by al
\ appeal to the general assembly. and act
hce department from the city. govern
ment was the result. The police boar
was created, and its members. and tn
force enrolled by them, were made stat
4 officers. and the city was denied In tn
| most positive manner any right 10 inter inter
fere with OF con,rol the policemen tn
| underlying purpose was TO deprive IN IN
| cItv of All power over the police. Tn
| change made Baltimore one OF the mos
| law-abdding communities In the country.
THE coNGREssMEN.
Our senator's and representatives in tn
| congress of the United States have dis
charged their duties with honor TO them
| selves and TO the state. we commeh
Ali national questions, and recognize thel
watchful care OF the interests OF Niiou
Island.
We thank Governor Charles Dean Kim
ball for an able, prudent and business
ike administration. We approve his az
ton in calling To the assistance OF IN
| civil authorities the militia OF the stat
| for the protection OF citizens and proI
| erty from lawleesness and mob Niolenc'
| and we commend his careful foresight :
the present time I'm taking measures
| protect our citizens against the lmpe-S
Ing scarcity of fuel during the comm
winter.
with the country blessed with a, cond
| tton Of prosperity never before knoWl
| we ask OF the electors their support
| the poiicles which have caused IL, an
| pledge TO the nominees or TINS CONVEX
! don our loyal support.
When the reading or the PLATFORM wa
concluded it was adopted by an unan
nous vote.
GOV. KIMBALL NOMINATED.
Nominations for state officers wer
called Gor and Colonel Frank I. Easto
presented the name of Governor Charlie
Dean Kimball. In concluding his speec
Mr.. Easton said:
"Mr. Chairman. u is our duty here
nominate a party candidnte for governo
But in the broad. though real sense. tina
nomination Is already made In the heart
and minds Of the people whom we rep
resent We arc not here to scrambl
boisterousiy for our favorites but TO res
lster soiemnly and formally the Will {
the Republicans OF our state.
I'VE are here 10 give TO that publ
servant who has been faithful 20 the hig
trust committed 20 his charge the rewar
which Is due hirn-not mere rank or TIL
but the only adequate reward for
man who has done noble service. the OF
portunity 20 do other and greater servic'
We do Justice 90 him. we do honor
ourselves. and we do right by the stat
which needs him. when we nominate n
governor of Rhode Island for the ensuin
year that representative Of the best ira