The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-03-30

"The lid is still on" said a wee small
voice from the seat OF well-known Re
publican; "and when the jumping jack OF
Constitutional reform pops up high
enough TO get out Wen be great-grand-
fathers"
That appears to be about the sentiment
OF the boys" generally; and nobody APP
pears 20 have found any occasion To sit
up and take notice at the prospect
popular government In the little state
that is reputed 10 repose so nicely in the
coat pocket OF Nelson w. Aldrich.
We'll the Guv gave 'em a grand jolly,
didn't he" commented one of the thin
ner skinned Republicans of the house.
whose neck has never been effectively en-
circled by the machine lariat.
'The dear people, Ex-Governor Garvin
and Johnny Fitzgerald have been clamor-
ing for a Constitutional convention; ana
now the Grand Old Party ever mindful
OF the popular welfare. hands 1t out.
same as the fellow who turns over 10 the
footpad the three coppers in his trou-
sers pocket and goes on his way smiling
and patting the fat wallet well filled in
side his vest.
"Oh. it's the best joke OF the season.
OF course, II takes all the wind out OF
the Democratic sails for the coming cam
paign-of course Il does. Why my dear
DbAs dIeIl you BOlIS 10 nave a.
tional convention, a clean. generous. free
will offering from the Republican rArty.
and that too. in a year when there's
nothing at stake more than the little trife
OF electing a millionaire 10 represent the
people OF Rhode Island in the United
States senate. W.T.
why. the dear people ought TO tog
themselves out in their glad rags, hire a
brass band buy lot OF redhre and
| hold a big torchlight parade and listen to
| the matchless oratory OF Johnny Fitzger-
aid on the great popular victory and
the gratitude the people owe TO the Re-
publican party.
| you can hear Fftz oratiHg now can't
| you?
I'm afraid you don't grasp the magni-
tude OF this magnanimity on the part OF
the GUY and our party. Llstenh
IT'S right in the hands OF the people
themselves-the dawn OF popular govern
ment is upon us. and it's roseate brilhancy
obscures all else.
I'm the first place. all that's necessary
is for two-thirds OF each branch OF the
assembly 10 vote TO submit the amend
ment to the people at the next election.
We are the people, and Of course we'ro
going 10 vote TO do II. It's right in the
hands OF the people: in fact. it's In the
hands OF the right people.
It's up TO us.
"Then, IL is only necessary that two
fifths OF all the qualified electors shall
vote at the election, and that three-fifths
OF those who vote shall lavor the adop-
ton of the amendment. You see. it's right
in the hands OF the people. Let them hold
up their hands!
Incidentally, they might send up a
hymn OF Thanksgiving to the Republican
party. Senator Aldrich, the old man and
a few others
mot send it up? Well down IL you pre-
fer II so.
'Then in the sweet by and by, in 1908,
the good old summer time OF popular
government is due. 10, the convention is
at hand!
IT'S all in the peoples hands; and If
their palms itch, probably plenty oil
soothing grease can be found. They will
be represented in the convention precisely
the same as in the house of representa-
tives, the same number of delegates from
each town and city as In that truly repre-
sentative body-thus assuring the same
protection OF the peoples interests and
the same obedience to their will.
providence and Pawtucket and all
other cities and towns that have more
than one representative in tho house. not
forgetting Westerly and Cranston, will be
divided Into districts by us-the people
for the election OF their delegates.
$50, you see, not. only will about three
fifths OF the people OF the state living In
Providence and the other big centres Of
population be represented just as gener-
| ously and i'm just the same liberal propo-
| sition as I'm the assembly, but we are au-
thorized to fix up the districts so that tho
Democrats-the common enemy of the
| common people-wont elect more than
| half dozen delegates
Its all In the peoples hands: and we.
! the people. must strengthen our own
hands. Just think OF II. Providence with
it's probable 10000 population at that
time will actually have IL votes, while
| poor little West Greenwich and Exeter
| have only one eachl It's hard on them;
but we're out for the people.
| The Q per cent. OF the population OF the
state who know their business will rule
the convention as, OF course, they ought
| to.
"Cranston7 only heaven and Judge
| Palmer know how many she'll have. We
| sha'n't let the people get into one TO ask
| and the other won't tell.
"Thcn, the members OF the house all be-
ing elected as delegates 10 the conven-
| tion with the Democrats well weeded
| out TO prevent any blocking OF the wneels
OF popular government, we-the people
| will proceed TO adopt such amendments to
the constitution as I'm our opinion will ex-
pedite legislation, avoid all unnecessary
waste OF time I'm arguing over the grant
| ing OF perpetual franchises ensure the
continual proper protection OF the trusts
I'm the United States senate prohibit the
existence OF labor organizations and In va
| rious other ways conserve the best in
torosts and uphold the rights OF the peo-
pie.
ITS all I'm the peoples hands. and we
are the people. and our hands are clean.
Then, any amendments We devise 10
| tho constitution 20 direct 10 the peopic