The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-05-08
FOR NEW SYSTEM.
OF ELECTIONS
Governor Garvin Speaks at Cong
don Street Church.
SHARPERS TAKE ADV ANTAGE
Present Mode Of Electlrg Officers Has
ssen In Vogue Since ITS, and Has
Become AntlQuated, He Said.
SHARpERS TAKE ADV ANTAGE

Governor Garvin addressed large au-
dience at the Congdon Street Baptist
church last evening. his remarks being
OH the subject OF proportional represen-
tation. In introducing the governor Rev.
John l.. Davis. pastor of the church, SAID
that the time had come for the people
OF Rhode Island to stop and think OF
the condition of things as they actually
exist. He said that in all the 6o years
OF the church's history this was the first
address ever delivered within the walls
by the governor OF the state. Governor
ladies and Gentlsmen-very recently
have had an opportunity OF vlsltlng 1.1 ,l.e
war / went south of the Mason sno
Dixon line. In the evening at Anoei
sonville a number OF the colored peopie
gave us an entertainment. i was muSh
Interested In the music. which / was told
was original. IL was most enjoyable.
I'm the tobacco factory. at Richmono
room ro "ss'SaS we saw $50 $50 of them at work They
were singing at their work. and we were
told that they are the most contented OF
people. The question arises In my miho.
the best frame of mind. for discofreht rs
the mother of reform. But what l wlsn
OF the North can help these people OF
"Now molasses catches more flies than
vinegar. and so In our deallngs VIII VIII
TO me that attacking them Will do no
good whatsoever.
"Our state has little to do with another.
and Is IL possible 20 do anything In the
way of example? We have had many IN
stances where good examples In one state
have led other. states TO follow me me
measure that have in mind IS chanse
in our system OF elections. The system
that we have now is the same that mas
been in force since l776 There mas oeeh
"Imagfne what the result would be had
there been no change IN our method OF
communication since I76. Yet our elec-
toral system has remained unchanged.
Sharpers have used II TO their own ad-
vantage. Now here In the city of Proyi-
dence you eject IL Representatives TO the
general assembly. When the voter goes
10 the polls he can take his choice. OF
two sets OF men. You have II districts
and you might elect one man from each
district. but that would be no more satis-
factory than the present plan.
"Our present form OF government is not
what Lincoln had In mind when he de-
lyered his GettysbqfTg fng tS|s Sddress wifi, N9M te
YOU. You have IL candidates. and insteau
OF having each voter cast his vote Tor al
L.. az he does now, let him vote Tor 20 one ne
a proportiorate representation. 49,.
Now I'm Providence there are A.o
voters and oonseGuen1ttiy any nlsc,S6 ohe raka an
for instance, your own people. You
might choose one OF your brightest men,
and with your 2ooo votes you could elect
him and be properly represented In the
legislature.
Now such an example In this state
could not but have good effect on other
states | believe that eventually sur
frage would be extended until at length
we will have universal suffrage. BY max
ing the government what IL ought TO be
we could bring about this state of AFFAIRS
a
important change, constitutional
Amendment is necessary. All good ciu-
Zons Il seems TO me, irrespective or
party. should desire constitutional re-
form The same rule should apply 10
tic city council just as 70 every legisla-
live body