The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-02-14
Continued from page One.

Continued from page one.
From the calendar was taken an act
60 approve and publish and submit 70 the
electors a proposition Of amendment to
the constitution Of the state.
ENTERS A PROTEST
Senator McKenna said he desired 20
offer a protest against the pas sage OF
this act. Said he: "ro my mind this
Is one OF the most partisan measures
which has ever come before this general
assembly. Why Is this amendment Of
fered al this term? with an entire state
government in the power OF the Repuh-
lican party / see no good reason why
this amendment should be placed before
us Perhaps the leaders OF the Republican
party have become alarmed and they
propose TO lay safe course for the tu-
ture Taking into consideration the
three preceding elections held in this
state and more particulei-E he elecu.n
OF 1904 IL seems that this might be so.
From the opening OF that campaign til
the last gun was fred. and backed by the
powerful corporations OF tho state and
the great powers OF the United States
administration. It was only possible 10
elect a Republican ticket by a largely re-
. duced plurality.
A SIGNIFICANT RESULT.
with all this power and influence pit
ted against Democratic paFty-tt-was
able to elect a Democratic congressman
in the First district and four Of the five
mayors IN the state. This Is significant
and perhaps here may be found the rea-
son for the submission Of this amend
ment Again in the vote for governor,
out OF a total Of more than 10000. the
a
plurality over the Democratic candidate.
with all the power and incentive OF
presidential election and with a United
States senator to elect II is small won
der that victory was won.
The Republican party has redistricted
the city once in partisan manner and
ff This BIZ is passed II will district the
state I'm the same way.
BY this bill IL is proposed 20 wipe out
the ward or community system and the
city is to have 25 members. How is the
senator &c be elected? Note the difference.
The candidate for that office will receive
the entire vote OF the state. l believe
such a method to be most partisan one.
Give 10 Providence its 25 members, but
let all the voters vote for each one OF
them That is the Democratic theory.
The measure may pass the general as
sembly. but there is still another tribunal
and that Is the people. ond next fall you
will be able 20 learn how they feel.
SENATOR EAsToN SURPRISED.
Senator Easton said he was surprised
20 learn Of the objections which had been
made by Senator McKenna. He referred
20 the fact that IN past years the Demo
cratic party had repeatedly asked for
minority representation ana he believed
this act was giving minority representa-
ton He denied that there was any
l..a, F..ss kA De-. 1f.avs
party but believed IL was for the good
OF the entire state and would give the
individual voter great power
Senator Calvin OF East Greenwich op-
posed the act because he said he was
opposed 10 increasing the number OF rep
resentatives. He would prefer 10 cut the
number now allowed believing II would
give better results and would reduce ex-
penses
-ryalta- A-that iuas4As-srem
the words OF the gentleman from
Cumberland the Democratic members
would only favor such amendments as
had received the sanction OF the Demo
tratic organization.
Senator Easton and Senator McKenna
retracted the statements previously made
and Senator Young of Scituate registered
his opposition aftCr which the act was
cent 10 the committee on engrossed acts.
few minutes later Il was reported
back by Senator Chase and then arose a
discussion 80 10 whether under the rules
action could be taken today.
The chair ruled that action was IN or
der and on a roll call the act was passed
BY a vote OF % 20 T.
FROM TIE CALENDAR.
From the calendar was also taken an
net authorizlng the city OF Newport to
hire $4,000 TO pay current expenses
passed. Also an act authorizing the board
of fire commissioners OF Providence 70
inspect plans where combustiblcs are
manufactured or stored: passed
Also a resolution 10 change the name of
Gary Amelia Amley TO Mary Amelia
schoheld passed
Prom the house came an invitation 20
meet IN grand committee 20 elect chief
justice passed.
on motion OF senator Anthony the sem
ate at 1855 adjourned