The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-07-17
TUESDAY, JULY II, 1906.
WAGE FARMERS FOR REFORM

"We want and declare emphatically for con-
sttutional convention, that those liberties SO
essential to government by and for the people can
be assured at and forever"
This is easily the most important plank in the
platform of principles and policy adopted by the
Providence Wage Farmers club at its meeting on
Sunday. 1t is plain and unequivocal declaration
on the part Of labor in favor of that fundamental
reform upon the success of which the accomplish
ment of all other reforms is wholly dependent.
Until new and liberal constitution is estab-
lished in Rhode Island not one of those changes in
political and industrial conditions which honest and
intelligent labor so much desires can be effected
The evils and abuses from which the people of
this commonwealth have suffered and are still suf-
fering are many and grievous and one and all they
have come into existence through the retention Of
a narrow, partisan and wholly inadequate organic
law.
This is fact which every intelligent wage
workers fully realizes. Braytonism holds baneful
sway because the present constitution permits an
insignificant fraction Of eight and onehalf per cent
of the population to misgovern the remaining
ninety-one and one-half per cent
Representative government has been banshed
and replaced by government by an oligarchy with
out conscience or honesty, because an antiquated
organic law permits unscrupulous men to usurp the
rights of the people and exercise them their own
EQUAL rights are denied the citizens because
provisions establishing classes in the electorate by
which privileges conferred upon one class are de-
MED to the less favored class which originally
contained in king-given charter, have been re-
tanned in the constitution of sovereign state of The
Union.
In this state equal rights and government Of
by and for the people unknown. Manhood is
not the test of fitness to exercise in full the right
of suffrage. Possession of property alone gives
the right to for all officers municipal and state
1t is this un-American granting of special privi
leges the property that is responsible for
many of the abuses and outrages to which the
people have been subjected. 1t is responsible for
the existence in the cities and of the state of
rings as corrupt and as mschevous the Brayton
machine to which they render abject allegience.
1t is hopeful and cheering sign when thought
full and loyal wage workers unite for the laudable
purpose of assisting in the political reorganization
of the state The forces of reform, the Democrats
and independent voters of Rhode Island will cor
daily welcome the potential aid of the noble army
of labor.
There is no difference in purpose and no dvi-
sion of sentiment between the two. Each is ami
mated by lofty purpose to crush government by
corrupt bosses and restore government by the
people, Each seeks to give equal rights to every
citizen and special privileges to
Each is impelled to action in the present cam.
paign by determination to secure for Rhode Island
that honest decent, capable administration of pub
lie affairs which has been unknown here for decades
and which is essential to the peace, progress and
prosperity of the commonwealth
Finally each realizes that reform must begin
where evil has its root. 1t must begin with the
adoption of constitution equal to the needs
of an intelligent and loyal commonwealth--a con-
stitution broad in scope and American in spirit.
Framed by convention representing all the
people it will be organic law that will insure
all the people all their rights and privileges 1t will
make it impossible for corrupt rngsters to longer
usurp the governing and law-making functions and
it will put end at once and forever to that
CANT and impudent Braytonism which has brought
disgrace and shame upon the state
The Wage Workers club should prove power
full reinforcement to the army of reform, and when
victory is il will be entitled to and will receive
ttat recognition in the legislative and administrative
departments of the government which il is Justly
entitled but which has been impudently denied il
by selfish, selfseeking and sinister Braytonism