The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-06-06
FOR CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM.

TUX (ONS lONAL REFOKM.
expectation hope
partisan purposes smohered
reform the special legislation
their would halt thorough comprehensive
and effective revision of the law of the they will find
themselves grevousy mistaken The trong of its resolution and
the discourteous refusal reply offering accept mod
caons of the original plan of douragng Rhode Island
Citizens union has served stimulate still activity in
the prosecution Of its campaign for constitutional reform In its effort
interest this ampoant subject sending
to the the carefully prepared and convincing circular
letter in which the need of constitutional convention forth
with dcness and force that ought appeal the understanding
and patriotism every loyal Rhode Islander his hearty
sympathy and unwavcring support
In this circular letter it pointed that the neciency and
corruption that politics many
made possible primarily the nadequacy defects the
constitution Such the existing condition the
sembly that permits
population absolute control of all legislation In the
there members from city the euten
Twenty of the cities
in the hous the total membership which limited
by the existing Thus grand
sng of members these small have only
majority
The census, 1900 gives population
4ass56 of the small 1913
of the aggregate for the whole This the
elected twenty per people
situte majority of the grand committee
Nor is this the mischievous
the OF the from
of the small having population only s6o47 constitute
majority of the That the of frac
ton eight the population the
Here obvious and
In is popular but rather
of the majority by insignificant minority condition
contemplated by the founders of this republic and
the fundamental principles of American political
BY the circular letter also shown that the under
the constitution clothed with substantial authority
The right denied him. while the general assembly has vi
tuay taken from him all power of appointment though still permit
ting him select his private seeaHe exercise control
other executive officers and debared from interference with
hasty, unwise corrupt legislation
Other defects the organic law attention Ieates
for example permitted and the Citizens while it
holds that all who enjoy the franchise should be
teced in the exercise of that right against the sudden arbitrary
imposition OF requirements it nevertheless maintains that the
of ierate voting SIS standing invitation political
state"
Again, the constitution provides for
initiative of the general assembly approve
proposed amendment before be submitted the
then must receive hreehh of all the the polls before
become operative The accepted American method of amend
ing constitutions the method practice every other the
Union except Rhode Iandby composed
sentatives OF the peoplehas
BY the advisory opinion OF the supreme court 1889
declared effect that changes
made by convention the work of which submitted directly
the people for ratification. without general
assembly Thus the people power to
and only when their general assembly
gives them permission.
Though expressing whether this
supreme good
respect conform in all particulars propos
ing the Of which should gen.
e assemblies and finally the people conformity