The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-10-29
REV. MR.. BELkNAP
ASKS DEFEAT Of
THE OL|GARCHY

At the evening service at the Jefferson
Street Baptist church, Rev. A. T, Bel
knap read a quotation from an address
by Hon. Rathbone Gardner calmly but
forcibly stating the existing political con-
ditions in this state. and then said:
Did statements like this originate in
the last heated moments OF a partisan
campaign? Were they generally disbe-
lieved or circumstantially denied they
might be lightly disregsrded, but such is
not the case.
IF they are in essence true. We no ion-
ger possess republican government In
Rhode Island. but suffer from tyranny
heavier than that against which our an
cestors rebelled
Mere rumor is dangerous. alike TO
friend and foe. but when reports OF this
nature are circulated freely and openly
for a long term OF years. when the facts
must be known 10 large numbers OF men,
when circumstantial denial is possible,
when conditions can be investigated by
any individual, rumor cannot be lightly
dismissed.
so long as Is years ago knew similar
reports were current in this city. | have
never heard anyone give any good and
sufficient reason for the regular presence
OF the private citizen in a certain office
I'm the state house during the sessions or
the legislature.
But stronger than all other reasons for
believing in the existence OF widespread
political corruption is the continuance
year after year Of an archaic state con-
stituton, which unjustly and inadequate
~ gives the control OF the state into the
hands OF a small minority OF the voters
and which centres unusual powers IN the
senate and house.
Senators and representatives elected
by about 5000 voters in the "a smallest
towns could have controlled the senate
and house in Joint session, and as mat
ter OF fact all but one senator and one
representative from these "a towns last
year belonged to the same political party
ITO put II in another way, the represen-
tatives and senators from Providence,
Pawtucket. Woonsocket, Newport War
wick. East Providence, Central Falls,
Cranston. Westerly. Lincoln, Cumberland,
Bristol, Burrillville and South Kingstown.
representing n large proportion of the
state, are in a minority I'm the joint ses-
sion OF the senate and house.
Now absolute equality in representa-
tion is never attainable In practice: but
for a tiny minority 10 possess political
control to hold IL long years after the
conditions under which the system arose
have banished, is ominous. 1t smells OF
corruption.
lin simple fact We are here In the con
troll OF an oligarchy which Webster de-
fines as a form OF government I'm which
the supreme power is placed I'm the hands
OF a few persons, and If the allegations
concerning boss rule so publicly made
and so widely believed are true the real
rule is In the hands of a despot. defined
by the photographer as one who rules re-
Gardless OF constitution or laws
lin view of the situation, what is the
duty Of an intelligent and candid man?
Every thinking man should satisfy him
self as to the facts. Even I'm the heat and
smoke OF a political campaign that ought
not 10 be difficult even for a wayfaring
man unused to the intricacies OF Rhode
Island politics.
Rhode Island Is small state and the
truth or falsity Of the grace charges so
long and so publicly made can he safely
left 10 the judgment OF any man. To
weigh and 10 decide is a task no good
man should shirk
After this decision a man must with
out prejudice pass judgment upon the
meaning OF the situation as he views ~
II he should discover that tho alleged sit
uation really exists. the question at issue
will be much deeper than that OF party
principles The personality Of the alleged
bose will be as indifferent matter as his
party politics or the letter with which
begins his name.
"It will not be tho question OF the worth
Of a party machine for party machinery
has become a necessity The real aues-
tion will be, Is an oligarchy and despo-
tism better than democracy and n repub-
Hep Il decency and honor desirable I'm
political life7 Is hypocrisy n virtue?"