The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-23
LEGISLATION
THAT IS
SHAMEFUL
Rev. R. C. Miller breaches a
Ringing Sermon on Some Re-.
cent Ubiquitous Legislation.

Rev. Rennetts c. Miller delivered an
interesting sermon last night at the Hope
Street Methodist church in which he de-
nounced the Block Island legislation in
scathing terms and incidentally support
ed the police commission OF Providence.
In introducing his subject Rev. Mr.
Miller said II have no apology for
bringing this subject into this pulpit. The
outraged moral sense OF the state de-
mands expression. / would he recreant
10 my trust as patriot and pastor did |
not lift up my voice In ringing protest
against the shameful and iniquitous legis-
lation of our legislature during the past
year or two, which really seems more
for the protection rather than the pre-
vention OF crime
II realize that am making a most seri-
Gus charge against our state Legislature
base this charge upon three facts
First, the famous or rather Infamous
Block Island legislation that jeopardized
the right Of n majority 20 rule, and
forced an unwilling people 10 suffer
from the evils of the saloon. Very briefly
what are the facts here?
For many years Block Island was a
licensed town-hopelessly $50. One year
ago Rev. Horace F.. Roberts. pastor OF
the Baptist church there conducted a
sevses OF revival meetings which resulted
I'm n large number of conversons-so
many that the whole moral tone OF the
island was transformed
ION April 4. 1902 (Which / am Informed
was the closing day Of the January ses
sion Of the legislature), Senator Cham
plin of New Shoreham introduced a bill
allowing his town TO vote upon the ques-
ton of granting liquor licenses for four
months in the summer. as we'll as for
10 months.
This class legislation bill was rushed
through the legislature and became a law
that day.
at the November election OF 1902 the
islanders. or properly speaking. the peo-
pie of the town OF New Shorehan, were
ballots. one was to grant liquor licenses
for four months and the other was 70
grant them for twelve months. However.
the decent law-abiding citizenship OF the
island. under the leadership of Rev. Mr..
Roberts together with the invaluable
counsel and cooperation Of Rev. A. Is.
Cristy Of the Rhode Island Temperance
league. won a magnificent victory for
no license.
lin the short December session OF 1902,
near its close, Senator Champlin intro
duced another bill. which said the town
council shall appoint commission OF
three before May /. 1903. who may grant
or refuse liquor licenses on the islano.
His hill further said: All acts and parts
repealed
Thus this one sentence, aside from
the other embarrassing features OF the
bill paralized the local option OF the 10
no license towns OF the state-a most
consummate piece of legislative chican-
cry. The evident purpose Of this bill
was to rob the people OF New Shoreham
of their expressed will at the November
election by getting this board of com
missioners, who would doubtless be tools
TO grant licenses TO sell liquor. This bill
M a ma n
without discussion or even public notice.
The people OF the island knew nothing OF
il until after II became a law.
A bill Is now before our Legislature 10
repeal this contemplate bill. II was
referred to the committee on special
legislation and public hearing was
granted a week ago last Friday and such
n tremendous demonstration OF aroused
public sentiment was never seen there.
The people have spoken in no uncertain
tones. Mr.. Crlsty's mastery legal ar
gument at the public hearing would do
credit TO any lawyer of the state. II
was simply unanswerable
John NJ. Brennan, who opposed the re-
peal of the law at the public hearing. did
not seriously or truthfullv attempt 10 an
swer Mr.. Cristy's arguments. His plea
was almost wholly vituperatlon sprinkled
with more or less cheap wit He said he
represented the hotel keepers OF the ISL
taxable property. Yet when Mr.. Cristy
stated that only one OF the - hotels on
the island had taken out license in recent
years Neither Bremen nor Champlin
dared dispute the statement. The hotels
are evidently not clamoring for licenses
Boss Champlin wants It for the island
and that settles IL.
I'm righteous. patriotic indignation
appeal 10 you, fellow citizens OF the land
OF Roger Williams must we forever sub
init like pusillanimous slaves to the die
tation of such INSCRIPTIONS political
bosses as Brayton and this man Champ
lin. his protege? In behalf Of every
lover of Justice, manhood and decency I'm
the commonwealth I demand that the
committee (Which Representative Fitz-
gerald has not without cause called the
graveyard OF the house) shall report the
bill back and that the house shall act
upon ~ speedily.
And with Bishop McVickar we warn
the Republican party of her grave re-
sponsibilty i'm trining with the constitu-
tion-given rights Of American citizens In
Rhode Island. and we most emphatically
protest against the snap. sneaklng ac-
tlon Of last December and plead for an
act which shall repair the damage which
has been done"