The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1904-01-05

sage 10 congress at its present session.
He says: Government OF the people. by
the people. for the people. will perish
from the earth II bribery Is tolerated The
givers and takers OF bribes stand on an
evil pre-eminence OF infamy. The ex-
posure and punishment OF public corrup-
tion is an honor to a nation. not a dis
grace. The shame lies in federation. not
In correction"
what act indeed. can be more unpa-
triotio than to contribute. either directly
or indirectly, to bribery in elections
What meanness is more despicabe than
10 be a party to the corruption OF election
officials for the purpose OF cheating ones
fellow townsmen OF their right 10 rep
resentation? Yet men who call them
selves good citizens. or gentlemen. are
guilty Of both OF these crimes
The recent election has shown once
more that I'm some OF our towns. the re-
suit may be altered by bribery OF voters.
So long as excessive temptation Is placed
before the voters OF the smaller towns,
by reason OF the undue representation IN
the general assembly, repressive measures
will be called for
I appeal to you, gentlemen. and I'm par
ticular 10 members OF the more respon.
sible ma jority, II you would transmit free
institutions TO posterity, TO take such
measures AZ will uproot corrupt practices
forever.
renew my recommended tion Of last
March. that a commissioner for the sup
preston of bribery be appointed and that
an appropriation be made for his use
Wide Special Message, Appendix A, rase
22D
ELECTION DAY.
The most important civic act which de-
wolves upon the voter Is the casting OF
his ballot. Al that moment only during
the entire year do all stand equal. In
formation comes 10 me from various
sources that at the recent general eiec-
ton many electors went TO the polls In
state of intoNication. / therefore recon-
mend that you pass a law forbidding the
sale of intoxicating liquors on election
day In any town or city. until after the
hour of the closing OF the ols In that
town or city.
PAROLE.
AT the last session Of the general as
sembly the senate gave its advice end
consent TO the pardon ~ five persons
then serving sentences In states prison.
Each person so pardoned was given mis-
freedom on parole. the conditions bsing
that he should report every three months
To the probation officer. should violate no
law 81 the state and should b. deemed
by the governor a safe person TO be at
large.
The probation officer informs me that
the four men then pardoned on parole
have fulfilled their obligations and are
now good and industrious citizens.
Supplementary 20 the probation law
and to tho present law admitting Of con-
ditional pardons. I r. commend the pas
sage OF an act--to be made retroactive.
II possible-providlng for indeterminate
sentences and parole.
STATE VALUATION
IT Is now ten years since the last val
uation was made for the assessment
of the state tax upon the several towns
and cities. During that decade some
municipalities have increased their local
valuation by one-fourth. or even one
third. whilst n number ~ the smaller
towns have materially fallen OF In wealth
and. therefore. IN taxpaying ability. I
recommend that new basis Of appor
tionine the state tax be adopted 10 wit.
The actual public expenditure Of the