The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-10-31
SUCCESSFUL
RALLY HELD
1T WESTERLY

One OF the most successful Democratic
rallies was held at Bliven's Opera House,
Westerly. last night. the speakers being
Prof. william Macdonald of Brown uni
versity, John ]. Fitzgerald OF Pawtucket,
John w. Hogan OF this city and Thomas
II. Peabody of Westerly. the Democratic
candidate for representative. A good
sized audience, including Senator Arnold
and other Republicans. was present.
Tristan d. Babcock presided and intro
duced Prof. William Macdonald as the
first speaker. The professor said in part:
Let us not lose sight of the real issue
I'm this campaign-constitution govern
ment In Rhode Island. We are not oppos-
ing the Republican party because we be-
lieve that party to be wholly bad and
its professions wholly false, but because
we believe that the Republican party. as
at present organized and administered. Is
the great enemy OF constitutional reform
in this state, and that it's platform prom
ises are evasive and insincere.
What do we mean by constitutional
reform? We mean. in the first place. in
creased representation OF the cities and
larger towns In the general assembly. We
believe not only In increased representa-
ton OF the cities and larger towns In the
house, but the abolition OF equal repre-
sentation of the cities and towns
in the senate. We believe II to be unjust,
and the worst kind OF practical politics,
that a town with a few hundred popuIa-
tion should have equal power in the sem
ate with Providence with $4,000 Such a
situation is bad morals and worse poll
tics.
Now. what do the Republicans offer
US? Why, simply the general promise OF
increased representation. without SO much
as a hint Of the kind OF change proposed
No Republican speaker this year, so far
as have observed, has dealt with this
OF them has dared suggest that the COM
position OF the senate ought to be chang
ed.
IT have no hesitation In declaring that
the record OF the Republican party In
this state IL one long story OF evasion.
covert fraud. open contempt for public
opinion, systematic bribery OF voters 20
keep itself In power. intimidation of op-
ponents wherever possible and promises
made only to be broken
Ex-Mayor John ]. Fitzgerald declared
at the beginning Of his speech that he
might call on Senator Arnold TO verify
some statements in regard to the state
senate. He then referred to the prohibi-
ton bill passed by the Republican party
in the SOS, by which the manufacture
and sale of intoxicating liquors were pro-
hibited In the state, "and then" said the
speaker, "thew made that great reformer.
Charles r. Brayton, chief OF the state
police
Continuing. he asked Senator Arnold IL
he were not right In referring TO the
state house crowd" as a bunch of graft
eFs- who were afraid d4f-they lost their
jobs they would have 10 go to work.
John w. Hogan said
"A great many people In the last cam
paign thought that most OF the men who
had enlisted in the Democratic and Lin
coin movement were three months men
and would not stay. but most OF us,
think they will now admit. are enlisted
for the war and notN looking for any
bounty. nor will they ask for a pension
after the war is over"
Thomas III. Peabody appealed to the
voters OF the Prohibition Democratic and
Lincoln parties to elect a reform ticket.