The daily morning journal and courier., 1902-06-05
THE NEW CONSTITUTION
DISCUSSED AT REPUBLICAN
 HALL LAST NIGHT.

A Small Attendance at tho Mass Meeting
 .-Lynde Harrison, F. A. Betts, and | Nearly All the Speakers Favored the l Adoption of the Proposed New Con-
 stitution-A Yelled Threat by Colonel | UIlman.
 A mass meeting of republicans was | held last evening in Republican hall,
 corner of Crown and Temple streets, | for the purpose of discussing the pro- posed new constitution which is to be submitted to the vote of the people of the state June 16 The meeting was called to order about S:15 by Theodore H. Macdonald, chairman of the repub- lican town committee, there being at that time thirty-nine persons in the hall, including reporters. Later more came in so that before the meeting ad-
 iourned there were about seventy five in the hall. Of those who spoke nearly all were in favor of the adoption of the proposed constitution.
 Among the gentlemen present were Hon. F, A. Betts, F. P. Arvine, eX Judge Lynde Harrison, John H. Fowler, assistant clerk of the superior court; Theodore H Macdonald chairman of the republican town committee; Direc- tor of Public Works Coe, Superintend ent of Charities Rattlesdorfer, Colonel l. M Ullman George B. Martin, w. H.
 A known republicans.
 Prior to the opening of the meeting circulars favoring the adoption of the proposed new constitution were distrb- uted through the seats. It was stated that the circulars had been prepared by ex-Governor Bulkeley.
 Chairman Macdonald called the meet ing to order, and then Colonel Ullman was elected permanent chairman and Frank J. Rice secretary. Colonel Ull- man stated that the meeting was gathering of republicans to take action, as republicans, on the question whether to vote to adopt the proposed constitu ton or to reject it. He then said that the meeting was ready for discussion. A long pause ensued, but finally Mi
  his views. MT. Chatfield opposed the adoption of the proposed constitution, saying that it was not, as claimed by some compromise, and was not con sidered by the committee of twenty four in the convention. He said that the Holcomb plan, which failed to se- cure the votes of majority of dele gates, absent and present, was a com promise plan. The plan now to be pre- sented to the people was he supposed the Bulkeley plan, and went through the convention without any considera ton whatever. He characterized 1t as an absurd plan. He stated that it made very easy the securing of additional tion by the small towns, and | said that 1t would be very easy to move | I dozen families into small town just | before the taking of a census, thus se- turing possibly another representative | 'or the town. There was nothing to | prevent dividing any little town in the | state into two towns and thus secure | mother representative for the town, lnder the proposed plan, which was full if such absurdities. Speaking of the delegates, he said: "They rave eight additional representatives to he cities and took forty-seven addi- ional for themselves"
 Another long pause followed MT. 1hatfields remarks, and then Colonel Jllman asked that some one else speak nd suggested that some one speak for he new constitution. MT Macdonald aid that the meeting was for the dis ussion of both sides of the question, nd he asked ex-Judge Lynde Harrison 0 speak.
 In response to this request Mir Har-
 (COntinueu uIl Third Page)