The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-03-30
.RATTEY RAKES THE
MAJORITY FORE AND AFT
Continued from page One.

Mr.. Allen presented the petition OF
William L. Marand and others 10 incor-
porate the Westerly Electric company.
Committee on corporations.
Mr.. Gibson OF Providence presented the
report OF the commissioners on the state
sanatorium.
Mr. Bullock OF Pawtucket presented an
act recommending the passage OF substl-
tute A. relating 10 the incorporation Of
the Rhode Island asylum for insane. Cal
endar.
Mr. Rattey then made motion for
the suspension OF rules 20 and 80 relat-
ing 10 debate on the previous question.
This was seconded and Mr.. Rattey re-
lieved himself ad llbitum OF the injury
TO his feelings and that OF the minority
inflicted by the majority by it's action in
voting down every proposal OF the minor
ity and rairoading bills through that were
obnoxious 20 tho minority.
II am sorry" said Mr.. Rattey. "to
have to take this course but / am forced
TO do so by reason OF the highhandeo
manner In which the majority has lorded
II over the minority and shut off discus
sions upon measures that were deemed by
them as OF interest TO the people whom
we represent.
"Time and time again have and others
tried to get legislation believed TO be I'm
the interest of the people and each time
we have failed The course OF moving for
the suspension OF the rules was the only
way to gain hearing on the right OF fire..
speech
There have been bills presented from
time to time and they have been referred
TO committees which have given no hear
ing though they palpably were for the
benefit OF the people whom the members
were elected TO serve.
s'J-ha minority has continually voted
down upon them. The minority asked
nothing but what is right. They have not
been accorded that and the move to sus-
pend the rules was only plan TO give
the minority a chance to be heard.
There were some 23o measures present
ed at this session and placed before the
committees. o. that number only 80 have
passed and those have been I'm the ma
ture OF class legislation and In favor OF
cooperate interests with n possible two
exceptions.
"The members OF the house have at
times even claimed that the minority's
measures were unconstitutional. IL IN not
for the committee 10 say that an act IL
unconstitutional Let them bring them be-
fore the house where n vote and an ex
preston OF opinion could he had.
"All the minority wishes il that bills ne
taken from the plgeon-holes and tha
grayeyards II the majority sees At then
10 vote them down that was matter for
them. We now have bill before the COM
miitoe 20 revise the representation. Ne
want that bill reported on and IL neces-
sary 60 have a public hearing on tie
same. IL was for that reason that the no.
tcn TO suspend was made.
"Mr. Allen then broke In with point OF
order, the aim OF which was 10 block the
speech. His point was decided not wnll
taken and Mr.. Rattey continued.
Mr.. Palmer OF Cranston moved 90 sus-
pend the rules time and again but they
were only rules 90 shut of the inority
from speaking for the rights Of the people.
lie tries 60 debar men from following tho
rules that would allow privileges TO any
member OF the house.
"I expect TO see bills railroaded again
and again. The committee Will keep bills
in pigeon holes and grave Yards Might
does not make right or justice. This IL a
free country and vet the assembly says
this is with proviso and the previous
question was not dchatahie and thus the
minority was shut out.
''The rule made by the house was un-
constitutional and any man who loves lib-
ertv would take advantage ~ the only
chance offered 20 sIsak after repression,
and that Ii my purpose. This II the last
time during this session which will have
90 express my opinion Of the way the