The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-08
DEMOCRATS PREPARING.

intend to make strong united and systematic
effort TO the legislation which the forces OF
reform believe necessary to the political regenera-
tion of Rhode Island and to the establishment of
representative government.
The caucus held yesterday afternoon at the state
house is cheering indication that the battle for
reform legislation is to be fought out in accord
snce with carefully matured plan that will repre-
sent the best judgment of the Democratic delega-
ton and that will be unwaveringy supported by
every member of that delegation.
In deciding to prepare in advance general
plan of action to which all will adhere and the de-
tails of which will be understood by all the Demo
cratic members OF the assembly are proceeding
with a wisdom that cannot be too highly COM
mended and that cannot fail to realize the most
bcnehcent results possible.
Individual initiative valuable as it undoubted-
ly is can never be as effective or secure as desirable
results as can united effort integently directed
Organization of the Democrats in the legislature
therefore, not merely insurcs harmonious action in
support of those measures which are deemed essen
tial to the welfare of the people, but renders pos
sible the accomplishment of some measure of
reform, in spite of the fact that in both houses
there is Republican majority.
lHOuSH IL II HdIuly pIODdDle the democrats
will make public the details Of their proposed plan
of action in advance of its actual development IN
the legislature, it is reasonable to assume the mat
ter of constitutional convention will be among
the first to be brought forward and pressed to
final decision.
No one need be told, least OF all any member
OF the Democratic delegation to the general as
sembly, that constitutional reform through the in
strumentality of convention in which all the
people shall have fair and just representation is
the transcendent desderatum here in Rhode
Island
This commonwealth must have new, liberal
and adequate organic law before it can obtain
hope to obtain that real representative govern
ment which is the nalienable heritage of the peo-
pie, and freedom from the mischievous dom
inaton of a corrupt machine which has brought
shame and disrepute upon the state
Not only will the Democrats in the assembly
battle for constitutional convention, but it is
now almost certain they will be called upon to
battle against amendment propositions which Boss
Brayton seems determined to have adopted if pos
siblc at the coming session of the legislature.
These propositions are designed to deceive the
citizens and to distract their attention from real
constitutional reform, which can be secured only
through convention representative Of all the peo-
pie. They simply the latest developments in
the bunco game which the boss has for years been
playing to gain and retain the power he exercises
with malefc effects upon the body polite.
He says he favors conferring the veto power
upon the governor, but he would allow majority
Of the members elected to the senate and house to
pass any measure over veto The veto power
would be almost worthless unless the number of
votes necessary TO override it is fixed at a two
thirds, or least a threeffths majority of all the
members elected.
Boss Brayton would give the cities a larger
representation in the house. II one would learn
how he would accomplish this he need but examine
the amendment submitted two. years ago which
was emphatcay repudiatey by the people
By that proposition Providence was to obtain
twenty-five instead of twelve representatives but
at what cost? The city was to be gerrymandered
into voting districts so as TO insure big Repub-
lican majority on the assembly delegation and
the citizens were to have the right to vote for
but one representative.
No doubt under the boss orders some such
gold brick scheme will be attempted at the coming
session OF the general assembly, but il il ever
reaches the people, which is doubtful, its defeat
will be even more emphatic than was that of
similarly deceitful proposition two years ago.
Brayton can no longer bunco the citizens of
Rhode Island.