The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-02-13

Article in the COmmOner Points Out
His Good Qualities for Democratic
Presidential Timber.

Lincoln. Neb. Feb. l3--The Commoner
issued yesterday has an article by Will
liam J. Bryan, which warmly commends
the official conduct OF Governor Lucious
+. G. Garvin OF Rhode Island.
The article is headed. "A Reform In
Office" and goes so far as to name him
for the presidential nomination by the
Democratic party. The article reads:
The readers OF the Commoner had oc-
casion to rejoice when Kansas City
platform Democrat Hon. Lucius f. g.
Garvin, was elected governor OF Rhode
Island, for they knew that he was in
terested in doing something more than
drawing his salary and enjoying the
honors of the position.
They will be glad though not surprised
90 know that Governor Garvin is Justify
ing their hopes and expectations. lie
begins his message to the legislature by
using language which the Republicans
may regard as sacrilegious.
He points to the great productive ca
pacity OF the United States during the
year 1902 but instead of attributing this
tion he attributes II to our vast natural
resources and to the industry and enter
prise OF our people
He calls attention to the abuses OF
governmental functions of the state
First the passage >of laws by one general
assembly which cannot be amended or
repealed by subsequent assemblies. Sec
ond. the establishment OF a board OF
police commissioners which spent money
raised by taxation, although not respon-
sible to the people who pay the taxes.
THE HIGHEST BIDDER.
Third. the post-election sessions OF the
general assembly which pass laws that
they would not dare to pass before an
third house, causing legislation To be sold
to the highest bidder. He also points out
that the theory OF representative govern
ment is constantly violated In Rhode ISL
and and that under the constitution OF
Rhode Island one-twelfth OF the inhabi-
tants living In small towns possess az
people living I'm large cities. He calls for
q constitutional convention and points
out other needed reforms
The Eastern Democrats are looking
around for presidential candidate Why
Is IL that they ignore such timber as
that furnished by Rhode lsland7 Why
never expressed themselves on public
questions and have never given any evi-
dence OF sympathy with the people?
why. because the reorganfzing ele-
ment OF the party does not want a presi-
dent who would be democratic i'm office
and who would use the great prestige OF
the presidency TO protect the people from
the encroachment OF organized wealth.
Governor Garvin lives I'm an Eastern
state, but he would be as obnoxious to
the reorganizers as any Western or
Southern believer In the Kansas City
platform. 1f he were TO announce his
candidacy for the presidency he would
be assailed as n small, Insignificant. mar
row-minded man. an accident in politics
and as person lacking the breadth ana
depth which the metropolitan papers are
In the habit OF conferring upon those
who are under secret obligation and
pledge TO the corporations.
The Democrats, however, who are In
terested In good government. and such
Democrats are quite numerous on elec-
ton day. will rejoice that little Rhode
Island In going 10 have a taste OF De-
mocracy Governor Garvin will have
their best wishes as he tries TO secure
remedial legislation for his constitu-
ents."
Gov. Garvin was interviewed on the
article last night and after listening to |
Its reading expressed himself as pleased |
with the article. He said. 80 far as |
me for the presidency IL con- |
ssrned. Mr.. Bryan has done that with |