The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-01-03
THE MESSAGE


To the Honorable, the General Assembly;
In accordance with a custom which has
become binding and useful, IT is my duty
at this time to communicate TO you my
suggestions and opinions on such mat
ters as 20 me appear important. j regard
the present time and the conditions nov
prevailing in this state as or exceptional
interest 10 our people. At period when
modern ideas OF government and business
are steadily being recognized and being
put into practice, IL behooves us 10 use
all proper diligence and exert every ef-
fort TO maintain our high position among
the states OF the Union.
Legislative Representation
First in Importance. in. my opinion,
among the matters demanding immediate
legislation is the question of representa-
ton in our legislature. Our present con-
stitution adopted GA years ago. although
fairly we'll adapted 10 the needs and con
ditions of that time. has become anti
quated. Conditions have so materially
changed that IL is thoroughly untitled TO
present day requirements. SO far as
population and wealth are concerned II
T. absolutely unfair to the cities and
larger towns. a constitution when gives
70 Providence. Pawtucket. Newport
Woonsocket and Central Falls with a to-
tai population of 3ls,000 (nearly three
fourths OF the inhabitants of the entire
state), only five out OF 3S members IN ou'
the standpoint of either governmental
fairness or public morals. These five cit
ies have no more representation in the
senate than the five smallest towns with
a population of only 400
In the house. while the injustice is not
SO marked. IL is still glartngly unfair
While paying about three-tourths or the
taxes of the whole state, the cities have
only 81 out of ~ members In the house.
should need no argument TO convince any
fair minded citizen that such "A condition
"A $ this is not only unjust, but Is fraught
with the most serious consequences TO the
commonwealth. Ii is the worst form of
taxation without representation. IL Is
substantially denial OF republican
form of government to the state of Rhode
Island IL has become the means by
which governmental misrule I'm this state
has been perpetuated for long while-a
misrule which has unfortunately ana un-
dcServedly discredited the good name OF
our state throughout the Union.
The provision in our constitution, there
fore which gives to every town and city,
regardless OF it's population or wealth
equal representation In the senate, and
its present inequitable representation iu
the house, ought TO be amended at once
While it is not TO be expected that a sys-
tenn OF representation based solely on pop
ulation is the only possible solution or
this problem, nevertheless an EFFORT To
establish a system which approXimates
that condition ought to be made at once.
There is no desire on the part of the
large centres OF population to take one
1Otf OF feASOndDlc, Just power from lHt
smallest towns, and j am confident that
the innate snse of fairness on the part OF
the towns will assert Itself by willing
ness to agree to a reasonable proposition
The situation I'm Rhode Island is peculiar
in that a great portion OF it's population
Is congested I'm and around the capital OF
the state. Yet this condition does not
Justify an unfair system of representa-
ton. l. therefore, recommend your ap-
proVal of "A constitutional amendment
which will give fair representation 10 the
towns and cities throughout the state
The Veto Power
also recommend most heartily your
approval of constitutional amendment
which will give to the governor the veto
power. There can be no question as to
how the people as a whole feel OH this
matter. Nor do believe the overwhelm-
ing sentiment in favor of this amendment
VIII be satisfied by any sham or nominal
veto, To- be overridden by a mere ma
jority vote. | believe the people favor a
veto which will require a two-thirds or
three-hfths vote to override.
The president of the United States has
had such power from the very foundation
of the federal government, and the ma
tional constitution requires a two-thirds
vote to pass any measure over his veto.
Every state i'm the Union, except North
Carolina and Rhode Island. has already
conferred this power on it's chief eXecu-
tive. In my opinion, Rhode Island cannot
act too soon on this important matter.
Had such power existed i'm the past | be
licve much odious legislation now on our
statute books would never have been
pass d. with such power I'm the hands
OF the governor. there would he less ten
dency TO crowd questionable and dan
Eerous legislation through the assembly
during the closing days OF session.
The Property Qualification
When the property qualification. was
played in the state constitution, IL was
argued that II would cause a tendency
toward conservative and economical
management OF municipal affairs. If such