The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-12
demonstrated that they couldn't get al

/ demonstrated that they couldn't get an
| act referred from any committee.
Mr. Burchard has discredited himself
! by his FIRST statement, I'm which he lg-
nored, any eight-hour bill When M ms
Perhaps when he reads this statement he
may find another eight-hour bill; and III
he searches long enough, and II they are
the remaining Freeman petitions and the
remaining thousands OF names signed 10
them.
Labor unions have already shown "A
great interest In the present campaign;
and their influence, previously ignored
has at last aroused the Republican man
ayers 20 the desperate straits In which
they have placed themselves by their pre-
vious treatment OF the requests OF labor
The resolutions adopted by Providence
Typographical union were first published
late In August. Mr.. Burchard-by the
way, that name was once associated with
that OF another great Republican, James
c. Blaine-upon request discovered an in
genious way OF disposing of them; but
his discovery didn't go far enough, ana III
he continues his researches he may make
the discoveries which he will not be so
ready 10 rush 10 the printing presses.
Labor men will not be deceived. The
Republican legislature insulted their IN
telligence when IL pigeonholed the eight
hour bills and the Freeman petition. The
Republican party cannot hope to deceive
them now by plea OF ignorance or dis
tortion OF the real issue.
THE eight-hour law is n mere bagatelle
when compared with constitutional re-
form. What the laboring man in Rhode
Island needs Is such changes in the con-
stitution and In the laws OF the state as
will make his vote equal TO that OF every
other man in the state, whether that vote
be cast I'm Providence or in West Green
witch or Exeter. When that is accom-
plished. the laboring man Will have an
opportunity TO legislate for himself and
his fellows.
Il believe that IL is time 10 drive the
Republican party out Of control OF the
state Of Rhode Island. Subservient TO
boss, ridden by corporations. IL has failed
TO enact legislation embodying necessary
reforms; and II has sought TO entrench
inself and strengthen it's power by main
tanning inequality OF representation and
consequently inequality OF the suffrage.
by establishing returning boards and
boards OF canvassers, IL has placed itself
in a position TO regulate election returns
and also 20 control the party nominations
OF other parties.
TT has made board OF canvassers for
Providence a little higher almost than
the state supreme court IL has retained
the absolute property qualification In city
and town elections, further accentuating
inequalities on the election sytem. tt has
stripped executive officers of practically
all power, placing legislative power
wholly in the legislature and city and
town councils. the executive power I'm the
hands OF appontve or elective under
lngs. and has made the recipients OF the
judicial power creatures OF the legislature
and of the power behind the legislature
Providing for no initiative beyond the
pleasure OF the general assembly. II has
persistenty violated and repudlated tho
right OF petition. II has scorned petitions
for constitutional reform: and now IL has
ignored a petition OF a. legislator
"The men who signed the Freeman petit
tion are too intelligent To let such treat
ment pass unnoticed and to step up and
vote for the Republican nominees this
year. They have found a way to make
Republicans in high places squirm; and
they will continue the agitation right UP
TO election.
Sister unions are rallying to indorse
the position taken by Providence union,
and when the real issue-constitutional
reform-and when that means ara brought
home TO union men, they will not stop 1t
merely condemning the Republican party.
Common sense win carry them step
father.
They will cast their votes where these
votes will count, and that is with the
Democratic party which has inserted an
eight-hour plant I'm it's platfrom.
THE customary attempt OF the Re-
publicans TO switch dsgruntled labor
men inth third party movements prom
ises failure this year; and II must fail
when labor men realize where their real
interests lie"