The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-23
PALMER PLEADS FOR
MANHOOD SUFFRAGE

William Palmer, the candidate Tor sec
retary Of state, declared that the working
classes failed TO recognize the greatness
of the issues and the opportunities before
them.
II appeal to YOU as a conscientious
DUTY ne said. "to vote for the ticket
end the candidates OF the only party TO
which you look for the amelioration Of
xhe unjust laws and conditions affecting
&fe laboring classes In Rhode Island. II
as a matter OF record that every piece
OF legislation In the interests OF the labor
dns man was initiated and enacted by the
Democratic party"
Mr.. Palmer then discussed the subject
of the franchise and showed how the
great majority OF the artisans and work
fngmen Of Providence were disqualified
under its provisions from voting for off,
GERS OF the city government.
"Can you support the principle which
gives a perpetual franchise to the Rhode
Island company" he said. Can you sup
port the principle which disfranchises the
registry voters?
"Out OF PIT lawyers 1e5 are council vot-
ers So are registry voters and are dis
qualified from voting for councilman; out
OF 332 physicians. 1e1 are council voters.
141 registry voters. Out OF 1909 carpen-
ters, 1908 are registry voters. Think OF
IL. gentlemen. 7s per cent Of the car
penters cannot vote Tor councimen! Ihlk
about popular government!
"Can you longer refrain from Joining the
Democratic party and repudiate the party
which perpetuates the enormity OF this
political crimef Think OF II, out OF 2299
nachinists, Just $50 are council voters.
1909 are registry voters. No wonder that
the councilmen care little for the de-
uaands that are made for the eight hour
laboring day
only IL per cent. Of the machinists can
vote 20 retain them in power or TO put
them down. Four out Of every FIVE paint
ers are disqualified; 92 per cent. gentle
men. OF tho citizens OF Rhode Island are
ooe1stercd voters. Can you longer resist
uniting IN common call for a constitu-
tional convention?
ION the one hand, the Democratic side.
We have decency 90 oppose TO Republican
debanchery. The Democratic candidates
are men. the others manilxins; the prom
ase you oonxofsntiousness against political
0hicanay.
'yuceine Gov. Utter by what he has
done, or rather what he has not done. he
is responsible for the political hades
whfch prevails at present In Rhode Island
IN s.rfSring contrast 10 this man the Dem
ocrltio party offers you Robert Hale Ives
Ocddnrd and the clean and fearless young
unu. James II Higgins"
N. Palmer referred to the letter from
COL Samuel p. Colt. recently published.
winch gave to the day employees OF the
Woonsocket and Millville rubber mills n
t.lne-hour day. Beware OF the Greeks
bearing gifts" he said. This man is a
candidate for the United States senator
chip; and the manner and time OF his or
4ering this new schedule In the mills bode
no good for the men who are supposed 10
benefit by st."
Chairman Macready read letter from
Congressman Granger. who was unable
20 be present on account Of n previous en-
gagement to speak at newport. and which
IN part was as follows:
"rhe action OF the last congress on the
eight-hour bill, 30 called, was a signal
example OF the treatment which the Re
publican majority is giving 10 labor
measures.
For three years 1t had been introduced
by Mr.. Gardner OF New Jersey. "a Rerub-
lican, and chairman OF the committee on
labor. Toward the end OF the session.
during a hearing, Mr. Hunt OF Missouri
noticed that the Democrats Of the com
mittee were in the majority.
He promptly moved that the hearings
should close and agalns. the protest OF
the chairman, IL was so voted As soon
as the committee was in executive ses
elon. Mr.. Hunt moved that the bill he
favorably reported.
Meanwhile messages were sent out 70
bring In the missing Republicans. hut In
vain. Against the protest OF tlte chait-
man. motion 10 favorably report his
own bill was carried. but. 20 his shame
be II stated. he refused 20 submit 10 the
action OF his committee and never report
ed the bill, which never was placed upon
the calendar.
This Is only one instance OF the cow
erdly manner in which men have intro
duced bills which they never intended OF
expected 20 be acted upon. ] lac labor
man has asked for bread and has been
given stone"