The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-05-22
GODDARD AGAIN
PEOPLES LEADER
CONTINUED from Page Three.)
Chairman Granger

lows:
"Gentlemen-one year ago. for the first
time In the history OF this state. delegates
duly chosen, representing. as was then
believed and as was afterwards proved TO
be correct, a majority of the electors of
the state. met 10 place before the people
a candidate for the high office OF senator
OF the United States. The men partici-
pating in that convention believed tina;
the time had come when the people of the
state should have an opportunity OF ex-
pressing their choice for United States
senator and for the first time in the his
tory Of the state took action 10 allow
the voice OF the people or Rhode Island
TO be heard.
mon TO all party machines the dominant
party In this state refused TO declare It's
own candidate or TO allow the body or
its own constituents 10 declare its choice
although challenged TO do so, but affirm
ed that IL was not the business OF the
people OF the state 20 express directly
their wishes as 10 the election OF sena-
tor. And yet precedents for such express
sion OF the will OF the people were not
wanting I'm the history OF either OF the
great political parties OF the country. To
mention only two and those two Repub-
lcan. ! may call your attention To the fact
that in 1853 the Republicans OF the state
OF Illinois In convention declared Abra-
ham Lincoln their first and only choice
for United States senator and pledged TO
him the vote OF every Republican elect
ed 10 the state legislature. Four years
later in Massachusetts. with serious OPP
position, Charles Sumner was I'm conven~
ton declared the nominee OF the Repub-
lican party Of Massachusetts and his cleo
tion was by that action considered so
binding upon the Legislature that he was
chosen by unanimous vote OF his par
ty.
THE PEOPLE THE POWER.
"The growing feeling that the senate
contains many members out OF touch with
the people and lacking the sense OF re-
sponsibilty which comes from popular
election has led 10 a general movement
during the past Is years 10 bring nome 70
the people as the source and font or all
authority greater power In the election
OF United states seantor. To that eni
laws have been enacted In many states
providing for an expression at the pons
OF their choice and OF the transmission
OF the result TO the legislature. During
the past few years 80 states have through
their legislatures demanded that con-
gress shall submit the states an amend
rnent to the constitution provld-
ing for the election OF senator's by tho
direct vote OF the people and elk times
since 1892 the house OF representatives
has by an Overwhelming vote passed a
resolution providing for such an amend
ment. The movement I'm favor or direct
action by the people Is irresistible ana
every time the will OF the people is
thwarted as by the Legislature or TINS
state at its last session an impetus is
given the movement which will not rest
content with the conservative course
adopted by the Democratic party in TINS
state but will result in the more radical
action OF taking away from the legisla-
lures oil power in the election OF senator
and bestowing 1t upon the people
Electors For Goddard.
"Your action one year ago. although
denounced by machine politicians, who
with this high office taken from them
and by tlmid souls who feared TO trust
the people. was yet endorsed In no
the electors OF the state. You are
10 be congratulated that over 90 per
cent OF the electors Of the state, voting
az the last election, representing over
voted for candidates pledged 10 support
the choice OF the convention or lsOb
for United states senator. That Col
Goddard was not elected and that the
state will be deprived OF its due repre-
sentation in senate when that body
next convenes II because representa-
tives elected by a minority OF the
voters and representing less than 40
per cent OF the people OF the state
failed to obey the expressed Will OF the
people and spent weeks and months in
who had been condemned and repu-
dlated by the people at large The
responsibility of the vacancy at WASH
ington rests upon. the shoulders OF
these gentlemen and not upon the sup
porters OF Col Goddard.
we are therefore brought face to
face with the election OF n legislature
to choose a United States senator.
Again the Democratic party and eli
zens OF whatsoever political anilia-
tion believing in the rule OF the people
restore that rule I'm this state, have
In primaries, duly called chosen you
their delegates TO place before the
the vacant senatorship. The members
elected by the Democratic and Lincoln
parties last year showed their loyalty
to the choice OF that convention and
the people OF this state may go TO the
polls next November with the strongest
confidence that your choice today will
receive the same loyal and unhesitatlng
Mr. Changers address was delivered
with fervor, and upon its conclusion
elicited prolonged applause.
While Mr.. Granger was speaking n
section OF five seat. upholding 1--WE
delegates at the extreme left OF the
front row, collapsed. but no one was
injured
Nominates Col. Goddard.
Chairman Granger then announced.
Nominations for senator OF the United
states TO nll the vacancy are now in
order"
Rathbone Gardner arose and was
tumultuously greeted In part he said:
Mr. Chairman. representatives of the
Democratic party, fellow representatives
OF the Democratic party, / am deeply
grateful for the honor OF being permitted
10 place In nomination the man who is 10
be our representative In the United
States senate. There Is no doubt that the
man | shall name will he unanimously
nominated as your candidate. applause }
I'VE have met not TO discuss rival can
didates, but 20 let the will OF tho people
become effective lie has already been
iMlcn nnninnIaA for ihaI nffIur a .-nar