Daily Kennebec journal., 1904-09-14
Gov. Garviin of Rhode
Island Is Blocked
In His Attempt to Amend the
State Constitution.
Republicans Quietly but Firmly Step
on All His Plans.

Providence Il. l., Sept. 1".-iov. Gar
WINS Efforts to have passed amend
ments to the constitution providing for
constitutional initiative for a moderate
veto power for the governor and Tor
registry of voters to vote for city c0un-
cilmen proved futile, today, when the
General Assembly called in eXtraord-
mary session by his eycellency, ad-
inurned without discussing in any way
| the recommendations of the governor
| made in mis- message. The entire time
| Of the session was occupied by struS-
gle hv the Democrats to block the Re
| pllblicans' program of adjournment,
but they We're unable to prevent the
| majority from carrying out their plans.
| The LEGISLATURE was called to order
| at II o'clock, and the message of the
governor was presented to the senate
after the reading of the call for the
session. 1t was in part as follows.
| The primary object Of this session ls
to enable this General Assembly. at this
| iuncture. to review again and to de-
| termine finally whether it will or Will
| not at the coming November election,
| submit to the people certain proposed
| amendments to the constitution III
| which they are vitality interested. For
| three amendments which are pending
| in one or both of your bodies there un-
| doubtedly exists Il very strong public
| desire. a desire based upon their in
| trinSic merits.
| The amcndmcnt known as the "con-
stitutional initiative" provides that
| 5000 voters of the state may, by petit
tion propose a specific and particular
amendment to the constitution. and
have that amendment submitted by the
secretary of the state to the vote of
the qualified electors at the general
election next succeeding. For this
proposed amendment petitions repre-
s"ntinG many thousand voters have
been presented to the General Ass'm-
bly, and to preceding General Assem-
blies.
| Another amendment cOnferS upon
registry voters the right to vote in the
election Of city councils. In other
, states of the Union no such limta :
ton of the suffrage exists. 1t is un-
, just and wholly unnecessary. 1T APP
pears that three-fifthS of all the voters
, in the cities are denied the right t
vote for those officials who are nearest
, to them and possess the most power
= over their daily lives. 1t goes with
q out the saying that with a very few eX-
ceptions these $4,000 half voters desire
y to be fully enfrdnchised citizens 1t is
O their right to have this question, 50
I vital to them. passed upon by all the
/ voters of the state
: The third amendment provides a
modified veto power for the Governor
h Two other measures ought to be
4 passed at this session. The bribery
laws should be amended so as to raise
f from $50 to at least 5000 the amount
{ a complainant shall recover from the
o general treasurer upon the conviction
$ of any person for bribery of any voter
q / also recommend that the sum of $50
900 be appropriated in order that the
= state sanitorium for tuberculosis pa
: tents may be furnished and put into
f use forthwith The building is com
: pleted and is now standing idle.
= a resolution to adjourn to Novembe,
5 10 ana incidentally severely condemn.
: ing the action Of the governor in call.
$ ing the session followed. introduced b,
Y senator Stiness. Republican. and was
t passed after IA long debate and the Sen.
:. ate ADJOURNED until November Is.
similar scenes in the House. thou el