The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-03

movement I'm any city or state has been
successful that has not appealed TO the
right Of the people to govern themselves
whether It has been Weaver over
throwing the shameless Republican ma
chine In Philadelphia, or Patterson tri-
umphing over Cox in Cincinnati or Folk
sending lawbreakers TO Jail In Missouri
or Johnson defeating political autocracy
In Minnesota, the rallying cry has been,
Let the people govern
Human nature is the same everywhere
We have the same demand in Rhode Is
land because we, too, have suffered from
the rule OF the many by the few.
1T is sometimes claimed by timid souls
that the many are not to be trusted,
and that the best government is where
a few govern and the people only think
they are governing. but what has gov
ernment by the few given to Rhode Is
land? Has legislation been for the ben
eft of the masses or the classes?
1T is only necessary to read our stat
ute books to learn what has been done
TO make few men rich at the expense OF
the people by simple act OF legislation
Franchises worth millions OF dollars have
been bestowed upon the few while the
many have been robbed OF their birth
right.
THE real power behind the dominant
party In Rhode Island today Is I'm a small
group OF plutocrats allied with the very
men who have been driven from power
In Philadelphia. That is the real govern
mont in Rhode Island today. Has II paid?
Have the few given the many n more
honest, efficient and decent government
than the many could have given them
selves had they been In power?
Our. election laws are disgrace to
popular government, our system OF taxa
tion is outgrown and unjust. bearing most
heavily on those least able to endure II,
the enforcement OF the criminal laws of
the state is spasmodic and partial. and
the government OF our cities has been re-
duced as largely as possible TO n system
OF commissions controlled by central
lied power at the State house.
Let any fair-minded. dislnterested citi-
zen look our state over and say canddly
whether government by the few has
brought about condition OF affairs OF
which we have right to be proud.
Rather. as Rhode Islanders as Ameri-
cans, who believe In the right OF the peo-
pie to govern themselves, are we not In
dignant when we see it's fruits?
THE great office OF United States sena-
tor held up for bid between multi-mi-
lionaires; legislation at the state house
for sale 10 the highest bidder: members
OF the judiciary occupying seats In the
general assembly; the important boards
OF canvassers OF election returns filled by
local politicians with no true representa-
ton of the Democratic party; and. per-
haps worst of all, because more easily
seen and more quickly degrading TO the
youth OF our cities. the police power used
for ignoble and even criminal ends.
II thank God gentlemen. from the bot
tom OF my heart that the people OF the
state, regardless OF party. are aroused.
that they no longer are TO be deceived by
platitudes and fine phrases. that no lon
ger are they willing 10 keep n party In
power for what IL stood for 10 years ago;
that they are tired OF men who speak
fair words while lending the support OF
their names and influence to an organiza.
tion STOPPING 10 any infamy TO keep itself
in power for its own aggrandizement
The people OF this state demand today
for It's chief executice.
" one whom the lust OF office does not