The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-01
BATTLE WILL GO ON.

thoughtful Democrats need not be told tina
the battle to destroy bossism and establish il
Rhode Island what it has not had in many decade
representative government-did not end witt
the announcement of the result of the ballotng OF
Nov. 6 last
On the contrary, that partial but signal,
significant victory for the forces of reform markec
only the first stage in crusade which will g
on gathering force and increasing in potentially
until the people are finally and completely trium
phant
II would no doubt have been more gratifying
had the Democrats and Independents secured
majority in the house of representatives, for then
they would have been able to frame and pass in
the lower branch those measures that are deemed
absolutely essential to the rescue OF the state from
the mischievous control of the Brayton machine
and put directly upon the senate with its rotten
borough representation responsibility for defeat
ing them.
But If the reform forces failed by narrow
margin to secure a majority they did not fail TO
send TO the legislature the ablest advocates Of rep
resentativc government and most uncompromising
foes of machine and corporation rule that have
ever held membership in it,
Not only are these men qualified to initiate
measures designed TO put an end to the evils and
scandals that aflict the body polite, but they are
well equipped to support them with arguments
that will compel respectful hearing even by those
who still bow to the bidding of the boss and that
will command the approval of the great majority
OF Rhode Islands best citizenship
These representatives of the people will speak
with the authority of the people and they will be
heard They bear a commission to demand at the
hands of the general assembly the submission of
constitutional convention proposition and that de
mand they will make in terms that can neither bt
ignored OF misunderstood.
If, as now seems probable, the Republican
majority, still servile to the boss, refuses to permit
citizens of this sovereign state to declare whether
there shall be held convention to rewrite the or
ganic law, in which all the people shall have fa
Republican party in Rhode Island,
Such refusal will but give added impetus tc
the movement for reform and make certain still
more crushing defeat for the Republican part,
next November than ii sustained last month.
1t appears also to be the purpose of the bos
10 attempt to play confidence game on the voter
of this and other cities by holding out to them tn
promise of larger representation in the house o
representatives in return for support for deceit
full constitutional proposition.
Should such thing be attempted the repre-
sentatives of the people in the assembly can b.
trusted to expose the scheme that if it is sub
mittcd to popular vote it will be repudiated as EN-
phaticaly was similar bunco proposition ai,
before the electorate two years ago.
Indeed, no proposition for change in repre-
sentaton in the house while the representation il
the senate remains unatered can be passed by tn
Republican majority until its outrageous and parti
san purport has been fully revealed by the able anC
watchful members of the minority
There is little hope that at the coming session
broad and liberal proposition for constitutions
convention be secured, but such proposition
will be presented and unwaveringly supported b,
the splendid delegation sent to represent the peop
in the lawmaking body.
Moreover, the arguments that will be made il
behalf of the establishment ofTeprcsentative gov
eminent will bring thousands 10 the banner of re
form when the battle for popular rule is on agair
In earnest in 1907.