The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-15
SATURDAY, DECEMBER IS, 1906.
THE DEMOCRATIC POLICY.

Citizens of Rhode Island who realize the
unwhoesomeness and evil of the political cond-
tions prevailing here doubt gratiied to find
that the Democratic senators and representatives
elected to the next general assembly are proceeding
with and deberation in outlining policy for
reform and remedial legislation to be presented and
supported at the coming session.
The report of the committee appointed to
formulate list of measures to be pressed for enact
ment, made to the conference held yesterday after
noon, many of the reforms, constitutional
and statutory, for which there is insstent de-
mand by right-thnking citizens, as we'll as crying
need in order reestablish the good repute Of the
state
Summarized briefly, the legislative policy
agreed upon yesterday is the urging OF constitu-
tion amendments conferring the governor veto
power similar to that exercised by the president,
providing for proportional representation in the
house as nearly as possible basis of population
and abolition OF the property qualification
Statutory changes proposed and endorsed, pro-
vide for acts restoring to the governor the power
Of appointment subject to confirmation by the
senate; reforming the election laws, especially
those relating to caucuses form of ballot and illegal
voting and to prevent corrupt practices in elections
and in legislation, including regulation of lobbying
measure is of vital Importance and that the ulti-
mate success of any all of them will an
advance in the direction of political decency and
honestly That the policy decided upon embodies all
majority of the Democrats who attended the con-
ference believe can, under most favorable circum-
stances, be accomplished is unquestionable can
there by doubt as to the sincerity of that belief.
There is likely to develop, however, keen dis
tn1eo IN he uks of of
over the decision of the conference that it is in
advisable to attempt to put forward constitutional
convention proposition fundamental part of the
Democratic policy in the general assembly.
During the campaign which resulted in such
large and cheering measure of victory November
6 last two issues were presented to the people on
behalf of the forces marshalled under the banner
of civic righteousness These issues were Bray
tonism and representative government.
1t was urged very properly, that Braytonism
could be destroyed and its nquities rooted out
only by the establishment of representative gov
ernment and that representative government could
be secured only through constitutional conven
tion in which the whole people would have just and
fair representation
That is to say, the only hope for permanent
reform, for the rescue of the commonwealth from
the political degradation into which Braytonism
has plunged it, and for the establishment of gov
ernn,ent Of by and for the people, lies in the franz
Ing Of a new organic law that will establish and
permanently maintain the fundamental principle
OF the right of the majority to rule.
1t is because they believe constitutional con-
vention and new constitution constitutes the one
reform upon which all other reforms are dependent
that the rank and file of the Democracy and its
independent allies surprised TO discover that as
at present outlined that fundamental reform is not
included in the policy agreed upon at yesterdays
conference
There is no disposition to crtcise the action
taken at the conference to doubt that it repre-
scnts the sincere and sober judgment of the major
ity. Nevertheless il is hoped that before the final
conference closes the wisdom of endorsing consti-
tutonal convention proposition as a part of the
Democratic legislative policy will be realized
1t may also be pointed out that the Democracy
has suffered materially in its past efforts to secure
constitutional reform through its failure to make
that issue the dominant one before the electorate
in every campaign. The time seems to have arrived
when sporadic efforts should give place to a sus-
tanned and unfaltering battle for the only reform
that will give Rhode Island the inaenable right
of self-government and rescue il forever from the
clutches Of malehc Braytonism.