The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-03-09

be more representative. He thought
there was no doubt OF the desire on the
part Of the people for a constitutional
convention and he thought this body
would frame a constitution which would
be ratified by three -hfths Of the voters OF
the state.
UNFORTUNATE CUSTOM.
Rathbone Gardner thought that the
address OF Prof. Mcdonald had covered
the subject so thoroughly that there was
really little necessity for anything moro
10 be said Mr.. Gardiner then spoke Of
what he claimed was nm unfortunate GUS
tom of announcing dates for hearings
and which he believed It deprived many
people from being heard.
He declared there was n decided inter
est in this subject. and such interest de-
manded that changes be made. Mr.
Gardiner said that the people never de-
manded such a constitution with as much
force as AT the present time. He spoke
OF the constitutional commission which
was appointed eight years ago and said
that the work done by that commission
was rejected because II was not repre-
sentative body and because its work did
not appeal 10 the people.
Said he: What Is the reason for the
Interest that is being shown I'm this sub
ject? Is II because so many people believe
the Legislature Is corrupt
He then referred to charges that had
been made OF corruption in the legisla-
ture, and declared that while these
charges had been made by various
periodicals they were not challenged. and
that not ell certain minister OF the
state repeated them did two men say he
| was n liar. 1T IS true" said he. that
those charges are true. Perhaps not In
| detail, but true. nevertheless. II has
| been proven in many ways and the people
| Of the state are profoundly agitated on
| the subject He declared that because
| or the contracts between the state and
/ certain corporations n had placed the
! state In the most degraded possible con
! dition.
| He declared that the people OF this
state had no power over the corrupt prsc-
| tices because the government was not OF
| republican form. In other states this
| could be done. but not in Rhode Island
because it had no representative power
| lie declared that 20 senators OF this
/ state were the executive and mat the
governor had no power. He believed that
| there was need for radical change in
the election laws and the entire system
| OF government.
He wa a Republican and he would Hike
| TO see tho state Republican safely every
year. but such was not the case now
Mr.. Gardner then went into political
! argument in which ne charged the Re
publican party with ali sorts of things
declaring that N there was not some
| thing done now there would I've later on.
OTHER SPEAKERS.
Former Gov Garvin was the next
! speaker and he was followed by Amasa
| NJ Eaton
William Gammell said Tint he was a Re
| publican but he believed the constitution
! ought 10 he revised
Rev MT Pullen or Providence said
| Until | came into this room I supposed
| ! was an American citizen, but 7 have
learned that / am only a Rhode islander.
/ | fine that we arc as bad as Russia HIS
| ENcellency came TO our church not long
| apo and spoke ~ the power OF personal
| itv. l listened with keen interest and 7
| found that he lid rot say that personal
| ity was needed in the political life or the
! state. Was 81 because he was the govern
] or and had thus been shackled by the
! constitutional law,
| Rev. Clay n. MacCauley spoke OF what
| had heon done for constitutions in the
past and he declared that from tho first
| a struggle had been gong on for the
good
Sam n. Bullock said he did not call
| on tho legislatu 10 disfranrhise tho
small towns He referred 20 what had
| been said along this lme IN the past and
declared that under the present system
he believed the small towns or their
voters at least were deprived ~ any real
influence in the general assembly. He
spoke ~ what was done several wears
ago for street railway transfers ann OF
one or two other laws that had been
passed.
Charles s Sisson began his remarks hy
saying that he gloried IN the distinction
that he voted In the last election for
Theodore Roosevelt and for Dr. Carr IN.
Hc then went on 10 say that he and
others came here 20 demand their political
rights
Henry r. Sharpe said he did not come
hsre as n member OF any political party
but as one who wanted 10 be prouder OF
his state than he is. He declared that
he came from a family that had tradi-
tious. He believed the feeling was
growing that there was something wrong
In the system OF government lie said
that II the people OF the state came 10
the capitol asking for legislation they
had 20 beg not from the governor. nor
from a legislator but from. perhaps. one
who was not even a member OF the state
government
Anthony Corcoran said that ne hoped
a report would be made on this resolution
and that 81 IL was pigeon-holed ~ would
be an insult to al of these people
c. ". Roblcy declared there was
widespread interest IN THIS matter and he
believed the agitation would be good for
everyone.
ROYAL " Gladding raid he wished 10
say 10 the committee that q large proper
tion ~ thoSe present were not members
of the Rhode Island Citizens union.
Mr. J pognan said that while Re was
not = member of the Episcora church he
was member ~ great Christian
church which would ne working with the
| EpiseoIals. he declared that he wss a,