The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-01-06

| unknown 10 ltSlHldllNe government IN any
part of the world, is wrong I'm principle
| and can only lead 10 bad results. The law
| should be repealed forthwith, and it's re-
| enactment should he rendered forever Inn
| possible by means of constitutional pro-
| vision
CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM.
| Among the changes urgently needed in
| our organic law are modified veto power
! for the governor and the granting 10 reg
istry voters OF the right to vote for city
council
Moreover. two Of the great departments
of the state government, the legislative
and the executive, are so constituted as
10 be radically detective. They can only
he set right by altering the state consti-
tuition. The power to make such change is
given explicitly In Article l. section !, of
the Rhode Island constitution as follows:
I'm the words of the Father of his Coun-
try we declare, that the basis Of our po-
litical systems is the right OF the people
TO make and alter their constitutions OF
government; but that the constitution
which at any time exists. till changed by
an explicit and authentic act Of the whole
people is sacredy obligatory upon all.
"a CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION.
The usual American way of effecting a
change i'm tho organic law of state is
through constitutional convention. The
objection raised in the past, that an
opinion of our supreme court stands In
the way Of legislative action. was never
anything but an excuse. and Is less OF an
excuse today than ever before.
The neighborng state of Connecticut
under a constitution which like our own
provides for amendments but not for
convention. has just held "A constitutional
convention.
J Another New England state. New
~ IL. ftattt In
| respect similar To that Of Rhode Island
| and Of Connecticut. is even now holding
| a convention.
Moreover i'm our state. after an al
| most unanimous opinion had been given
| by our supreme court that the law OF
April g. 1902. which limited the hours OF
| labor for motormen and conductors at
| ton hours per day within twelve consecu-
| tive hours was constitutional, that opin-
| ion had no binding force whatsoever up
| on the street railway companies For a
period OF more than five months they Vio-
| lated that law just as If no opinion had
| been rendered, and every one admits that
| they had perfect legal right 10 disre-
| gard that opinion. Now II an advisory
| opinion expressed by the court has no
| weight with corporations which are Great
ures OF the general assembly. no reason
able claim can be made that such an
| opinion can have any binding force upon
| government, the general assembly.
| | therefore earnestly recommend To you
| the passage Of an act providing Tor th'
1 election OF delegates. fairly representa-
| tive of the people. who sha'l assemble In
1 convention at an early day and frame a
| new constitution OF government for
| Rhode Island. 10 he submitted to the peo-
| pie for their adoption or rejection.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL INITIATIVE.
Not only should the people OF the state
| be proffered an opportunity to make n
new constitution. but reasonable min
ority OF the people should also be given
the right TO propose amendments To the
| organic law. In this way only can "A con-
stitution keep pace with the needs of a
| progressive civilization. Against the con-
ferriug of this power. which is in COM
| pleic accord with the American doctrine
| of Republican government no possible arr
| gument can be made except that the quail
flied electors are Incapable of governing
| themselves.
| T therefore recommend the passage by
| this general assembly. OF Joint rcsolu-
tion proposing n constitutional amend
mcnt. which shall provide that number
| OF electors not In excess OF five thousand,
| shall he empowered 10 propose future
specific amendments TO the constitution
and TO have them submitted directly 90
| the people for their adoption or rejection
| by majority vote.
TAXATION.