The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-01-09


until today they are more like one body
a few years ago. The business interests
OF the state have been made more and
more TO center in the composite greater
community. The census bureau hopes
during the coming year to collate still
further statistics gathered and the re-
suits will no doubt be Of great interest.
not only to the statistician. but TO every
resident OF the state who is watching its
development and growth.
CONSTITUTIONAL CHANCES.
The results OF the census emphasize a
matter Of great Importance to the state.
For some time there has been grow
ing belief among the people that our
changed social conditions not only jus
tihed but demanded numerous changes In
our fundamental law Several amend
ments TO our constitution have been sub
mitted 20 the people, some OF which have
been adopted and some OF which have
been rejected; and twice the people have
considered revisions OF the entire con-
stituuon. Changed conditions necessitate
changed methods. IL is unjust for meth
DDS 10 remain unchanged when condi-
tions are changed so as to make those
methods inequitable.
am convinced that II would be wise
for us to effect a speedy change in our
constitution In certasn particulars, and
that the time to make such changes is
before the necessity is so forced upon
us as TO endanger conservative action in
making them.
How TO obtain these changes has been
a matter OF dispute. Two methods have
been proposed: one the holding OF a con-
stitutional convention to revise the entire
constitution, and the other the amend
ing Of the constitution by definite propo-
sitions Of amendment placed before the
people. / believe that the best results
sv11t-+tt fttifow-t the amending -oGf-praS-
ent constitution In such a way that a
constitutional convention OF the people
could be held in unquestioned compliance
with the law; and l believe, further. that
this change should be proposed by the
present general assembly. Until within
| very short time the desirability of hold
! ing a constitutional convention has been
/ so complicated with the manner In n...ch
/ it should be held and with the changes
Il might possibly recommend that IL has
been impossible to consider the PROPOSE
tion on its merits alone.
FOR A CONVENTION.
At present however, this condition does
4 not exist to so large a degree. and there
fore l urge upon the general assembly
| the desirability Of taking steps neces-
sary TO put before tho people for theh
approval or disapproval an amendment
| to the present constitution under which
the people OF the state could provide for
the unquestioned legal holding Of a CON-
stitutional convention at certain definite
periods. Such action would be in ac-
cordance with previous action by the gem
eral ASSEMBLY and would give to the
people an opportunity TO express Their
desires directly on such an important
matter; and certainly the general assem-
bly has no higher duty or privilege ,nan
TO give TO the people every opportunity
for a free expression OF their opinions
on matters Of great public concern,
THE VETO POWER.
II. however, it seems 10 the general
assembly that the time has not yet come
for such a proposal as that suggested, l
would urge the adoption at this session OF
a resolution to submit TO the people an
amendment to the constitution placing
upon the chief executive the duty Of ap-
proving or disapproving all Legislative
acto; the duty known popularly as ap-
proval or veto. / urge this because it
would be plainly for the benefit Of the
people as a whole While it would les
sen the danger from hasty legislation. It
would not remove from the general as
sembly the power OF placing upon the
statute books all legislation which Is really
demanded by the public.
Such duty would also be In accordance
with the practice In nearly every other
state. as well as in the federal govern
ment. II the population OF the state con-
tinues TO grow as II has been growing
during the past few years and II the
changes I'm our internal social conditions
Will ha
matters will press themselves upon the
general assembly with such force that
they can not be resisted. Is IL not the
part OF political wisdom to prepare for
these changes before thoy become so i'm
peratve as to be no longer held In re-
stralnt, and before there is danger OF dis
aster because OF ill-considered or hasty
action7
Especial attention is invited 20 a recon-
mcndation in the annual report or the
commissioner OF records relative TO pro
| viding fireproof repositories for valuable
| court papers now held In the several
counties OF the state. Many OF these
papers are Wills, titles 10 real estate, and
the records of the adJudications OF ques-
| tions I'm dispute and the determination OF
divorce proceedings. Ther loss wouid
| "a serious obstacle 90 the determination
| OF the rights OF parties In future htiga.
! ton. The court and practice act. passed
| by the general assembly at It's last ses-
| sion transferred the custody OF the
records OF the supreme courts for the sew
eral counties TO the new supreme court,
but for good reasons II has been deemed
| best that tho documents should. for a
| few years at least. remain In the depu-
| tized custody OF the clerks or the SUI
perior courts Pending the transfer, some
provision should be made 10 protect them
from possible destruction either by fire
| or from the ravages OF time. such docu-
| ments have a value which is far beyond
| that OF the comparatively small amount
| OF money involved In the cost OF their
proper protection.
STATE sANAToRlUM.
on Nov 9Th last the state sanatorum
| for ruururupttvc- located fin Burrillville