The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-04-25
DECE|TFUL, But
UNINTENTt0NAL
Governor Utter So Character.
lies tho Citizens Union Plan.
DEFENDS COUNTRY LAW MAKERS
Claims That Acts Of Which Cities Gem
plain Were Initiated and Supported
BY City Legislators.
DEFENDS COUNTRY LAW MAKERS


ducted at the Roger Williams Park Ca
sinn- -hx the Auburndale Improvement as
ISOLATION, Governor Utter took up the de-
fence OF the country towns in their con-
nection with the state legislature, and
also elaborated upon his constitutional
convention plan I'm contrast with tnat ad-
vocated by the Citizens union, whose
scheme he termed Internationally deceit
ful toward the people.
As rega rds a change I'm the representa-
tion I'm the senate. he argued that the
present system is identical with that ad-
hered 10 by the nation and I'm all states
where Il IS feasible, while he noted that
owing 10 The peculiar condition OF the
state, the compactness ~ IT'S populs-
tion. and It's industry, II is not reasonable
to allow the control 10 centre in that com
pact region, since II would oblierate en-
tirely the other portions.
During the course OF the evening the
city school committee delegations from
the Sixth ward discussed timely questions,
while Assemblyman Herbert w. Rice. also
OF the Sixth ward delivered a very in
structive talk on the tangible personal
property bill now in the legislature and
pictured its workings upon the tax
dodgers"
The affair was in charge ot the regu-
lar officers Of the organization. President
Terence NJ. OReilly acting sS toast
master OF the evening and the following
officers aiding him:
w. III. Barron, Senior Vice President
Joseph ID. Fits Robert r. Spencer. War
rem n. Weeden. Isaac Crocker. James II
Higgins, James Seaton, vice presidents
and c. Abbot Davis, secretary.
THE SPEECHES.
The speechmaking was opened by
President O'ReIIly, who dwelt briefly
upon the purposes OF the organization. He
then presented Gov. Utter, who. after
making a few felicitous remarks, called
attention TO the discussion that had been
aroused over needed changes in the man
agement OF the state.
He said that many OF the citizens OF the
state are continually harping upon the
so-cAlled ills OF the state. always fndins
fault with things. while others bend their
efforts in praise.
The governor then spoke OF the de
STABILITY OF a change that would brint
about veto power for the executive
had OF the state.
Rhode Island" he said is peculia
in the fact that its congested population
Is located in and about Providence anC
Pawtucket That the control should res
i'm this one compact part, however, is no
desirable. since II would tend TO obliterat'
the rural sections entirely. In many
states the compact sections are more
numerous. rather than centred and tr
such an instance as that, with competitive
interests. such a plan IA placing the con
troll OF legislation in such sectionS Is
proper.
A LARGER REPRESENTATION.
What is desired Is. that the larger
Il
corresponding voice. but even then 81 is
a question whether or not that should
apply TO both branches OF the assembly
II ia question that requires deep con
sidera tion. since any change I'm senate
representation is altering the funda
mental law OF the nation and state. Tt
the nation each state is sovereignty
and thus IL Is that, no matter how large
the state, It's representation i'm the uppei
branch OF congress Is no greater than II
ours.
THAT is true Of our state law and IL i,
practical and 10 my idea should not b'
changed as it maintains the Fundamental
law which is designed 70 make the senate
the conservative. the ow-moving body
AT this time. ana right here, I want q
speak about another thing I'm this connec
tiop. We are wont 20 hear great dea
about the country towns overriding an
ruling the cities. I had occasion recentl'
20 ntterd a meeting At which picking u
remark which I had previously made
one OF the speakers asserted that tn
country towns rule the cities 7 want q
ask YOU gentlemen To consider this In tn
light OF Judging not the country towns
hut the men who represent them. and
While YOU are Judging them, to judg
them. And, as yoY Judge them both b,
looking into the situation. I think tha
you will fnd that ~ this legislation TIA
has been talked of as inimical 10 the cit
les has been fostered ny the city delega
tons.
JAMMED THROUGH
Take, for instance. back in 1907. tn
Narragansett Electric Lighting act =
called That was fostered and jamme
through the assambl" by your representa-
t'ves from Providence, and not by thos
from the country towns. The city repre
sen'a tives favored H. voted for H. The
eo1'c 20 1901 that act which has been p
condemned, the Providence police com
rIis'on act. Your city council fret start o
that by request 20 the assembly for /,
and then when II got there II WA sun
ported and favored hy the representative
from here. ~ there IL wrong or hlams
don't lay n % the country towns. hut iu 8
watch and you will find Il rare ooca
sion when law II passed that arrects