The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-09-04
WAGEWoRKERS IN THE CAMPAIGN.

Labor Day, the wageworkers of this city and state
will no doubt now turn their attention from trades
union affairs TO a consideration of their duties as
citizens, and to the part they purpose to take i'll
the coming election, which promises to be easily
the most important in results held in the state
of Rhode Island (,
On every hand there is most cheering evidence
that the wageworkers among the electorate intend
to make common cause with the forces of reform
in the crushing out of ring rule i'll this state,
and in restoring what has long been unknown
here-real representative government and honest
and capable administration.
There is gratifying proof also that the wage
workers realize as fully as do any others among
the citizenship, that the evils and abuses from
which the state suffers deep-rootcd, and can
be eradicated only by the adoption of broad and
liberal constitution, adequate to the needs of
commonwealth of half million intelligent, en-
terprisng and progressive people be found
anywhere in this republic
This is shown by the platform of principles
adopted by the Providence Wage Farmers club,
one plank of which declares: 1--WE want and de-
clare emphaticallv for a constitutional convention
SO that those liberties SO essential to government
by and for the people can be assured at once and
forever"
From this it is clear the wageworkers of
Providence are unequivocally and uncompromis-
ingy in favor OF constitutional reform, upon the
success of which depends the accomplishment OF
every other reform which the decent people
sincerely desire and which the state sorely needs
A new organic law must be framed and established
before single of the changes, political and
industrial, so much desired by intelligent labor
can be secured and made permanent.
There is scandalous corruption and fostering
evil in this commonwealth, yet neither the
other can be rooted out until new constitution
has replaced the present narrow, bigoted and
notoriously inadequate survival OF a king-given
charter
Every intelligent wageworker in Rhode Island
knows this, and he knows furthermore, that Bray
tonism exercises its sinister and mischevous power
because the organic law it exists today renders
it possible for unscrupulous and venal fraction
of eight and half per cent. OF the population to
override the other ninety-one and one-halt per
cent. and through its master Braytonism, exercise
the stolen functions OF government.
Colonel Goddard stated only the absolute truth
when in the OF his letter accepting the
peoples nomination for the United States senator
ship he said "a party must be judged by the men
who direct its policy, especially when that policy
is bindly followed, even when it is selfish and
evil one | have waited patiently III hope that
reformation of political evils in Rhode Island
might have its origin in the Republican party but
/ have waited in vain It's machine control must
be thrust aside before any good can be accom-
plished"
How can control by Braytonsm be destroyed?
Not by a temporary rebuke at the polls; not by
reputation that is merely spasmodic Braytonism
be crushed never TO rise again TO inflict out
rage and abuse the people only by changing
the law that renders Braytonism possible. In
other words, if the honest citizens of Rhode Island
would rid themselves OF this machine OF malgnity
and mischief they must unite and establish new
constitution that will restore and maintain in this
commonwealth forever government OF the people |
by the people, for the people
Again, in the OF his letter, Colonel God
dard declares truth which must appeal to every
honest man, when he says: 1--WE are not living
under a republican form OF government. A species
OF despotism exists, degrading 10 all right-mnded
citizens of Rhode Island OF whatever party they
may be. The selection OF high officers OF state
and the enactment OF laws even subject TO the
dictation of man, holding office from the
people and in no way responsible to the people"
Such a shameless condition is repugnant
20 the honest toiler as il is repeant TO a man of
large affairs fifr-6oione Goddard for the rights
OF both as free American citizens are invaded and
abridged by IL
1t is condition TO remedy which both
fight shoulder 10 shoulder, for both are animated
by the same lofty motives the same patriotic pur-
poses-to rescue Rhode Island from the clutches
OF the most constituencies, brazenly corrupt and
.-,oudentiv ,nal.an machine that fastened