The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-26

committee on special legislation the rea-
sons why the committee made such
port.
NO ONE APPEARED.
Mr.. wilbour, chairman OF the commit
tee, replied the bill had been in the hands
OF the committee for a considerable
length of time. No one had appeared,
not even the gentleman who introduced
it. and for this reason he. for one, was
obliged 10 get what information he could
outside OF thosewho were directly In
terested I'm the bill His own opinion was
that the present constitution gave entire
satisfaction.
Mr.. Spooner stated there had been no
hearing given by the committee and no
request had come from the committee de-
serving information. for he would have
been very glad 10 furnish such informa-
tion had he been requested or had II been
suggested 10 him. He was much sur
prised to hear the chairman OF the COM
mittee on special legislation say the pres
ent constitution Is good enough. His own
ideas were TO the contrary and he had
always believed the general concensus OF
opinion was strongly in favor OF con-
stitutional convention.
There was no doubt. he believed. that
the present constitution was entirely un-
suited 10 the needs OF the people OF the
state. II was true that II had been fire.
quently amended. II was a fact that
the two political parties were not salts
fed with the constitution for propositions
had been made by them.
1t was well known that the constitu-
tion was not satisfactory and within re-
cent years an effort had been made 10
revise the present instrument, and a
committee OF Is was appointed to make
the revision. The work OF this COM
mission was not accepted by the people
rne present bill is somewhat similar I'm
character TO the bill that provided for.
the appointment OF the commission OF 15.
save that the present bill does not name
members OF a commission. but provides
for the election of the 80 delegates who
viii make up the convention by the people.
The speaker then took up the bill and
analyzed IL and its methods. He re-
viewed machinery for holding a conven-
tion and relateh the history OF the eff
forts to secure a constitutional conven-
tion before the present constitution was
adopted.
SO far as amendment OF the constitu-
tion is concerned by the legislature by
specific and particular amendment. 1t has
been determined by the supreme court
that amendment can be proposed by the
general assembly But In the absence OF
any method prescribed by the constitu-
tion for calling a constitutional conven
tion. IL was a fact that a convention
nau Deen nelu WITHOUT speclHc authority.
ONLY AN OPINION.
The opinion OF the supreme court was
an opinion simply and did not bind any
thing or anybody. In a case before the
court. where argument was presented and
evidence listened to- the court would con- /
slider and give a binding decision.
He further explained the bill and |
pointed out that the city of Providence |
with its present population was entitled |
TO about 36 delegates, for the city has |
about 40 per cent OF the inhabitants of the I
state. He showed that in the town OF /
West Greenwich the senator represented |
a population OF Cos according to the last /
census and about 100 voters. had a politi- |
cal value about go times greater than a |
senator from Providence The representa- !
tive from West Greenwich represented a !
constituency OF COG and the speaker n plu- /
rality OF more than 2000 In Providence.
The man from West Greenwich had a
political value In the house OF about - |
voters I'm Providence. He believed that /
the people should have representation
commensurate with the population.
MR. MDoNALD's VIEWS
Mr.. Mcdonald spoke and he suggested
that he would like to have some OF the \
majority defend the constitution. He
pointed out that there was bill pending
before the general assembly on which a
committee special legislation.
Mr.. Mcdonald stated that II was pro-
posed under the bill TO which he had ref
erence 10 increase the revenue OF the
state. and 10 do this IL was first proposed
10 raise the rate OF state tax from 1s 20
20 cents on each 800 valuation, but II was
later believed TO be wise 10 raise the val
uation OF the property and TO reduce the
rate OF tax from is cents To 1s cents on
each 500 valuation. This bill gave re-
duction OF the amount OF tax paid I'm eight
towns by something Ike 5000. but II In
creased the amount OF tax paid by every
one Of the other towns and cities
This committee consisted OF FIVE mem
bers OF the senate one each from Hop
kinton, Richmond Charleston and North
Smithheld and the city OF woonsocket
The action OF the committee decrea sed
the amount OF tax paid by the four towns
but raised II in every other town and city.
This was an example OF the burden which
was placed on tho cities by the small
towns OF the state.
DEFENDS CONSTITUTION.
Mr.. Rathbun spoke at length defending
the present constitution and stating that
there was no other way than by amend.
ment by the general assembly could the
constitution be amended
Mr.. Nolan made reply TO this and IN an
argument OF length cited precedent ano
authority 90 demonstrate that the ground
taken by Mr.. Rathbun was erroneous and
that there was a legitimate method OF
amending the constitution by act OF the
people
Mr. Carroll spoke briefly IN advocacy %
the resolution, and then Mr. Mccarthy
arose.
The Republican members had deserted
the chamber and Mr.. Brown addressed
Deputy Speaker Johnson and stated that
the attendance of quorum OF members
could be compelled by the speaker az the
request OF ~ members.
The deputy speaker stated there was
no evidence TO show there was not a quo
rum.
Mr.. Fitzgerald raised the point no quo-
rum was present